Perfectly Wrong (Elena & Sam Musical)

Chapter nine

Let’s be honest for a second: I’m no chef. Not even close. I can whip up a few dishes, but nothing that would ever land me on MasterChef , that’s for sure. But when I tasted the grilled chicken with lemon cream and garlic I’d just made, I had to give myself a little credit. It was actually pretty good. I carefully plated the chicken and potatoes, adding a sprinkle of parsley on top. What a masterpiece!

Sam hadn’t let me out of his sight all weekend—figuratively speaking, of course. After our third round of sex on Friday, we ordered lunch and headed to my place to grab some clothes and essentials. We decided his apartment felt too empty and split up for a shopping trip. I took on the task of stocking the pantry since he warned me that all he had were chocolate chip muffins and some other questionable choices. While I was at Whole Foods, he picked up more furniture from that store I’d visited at Eaton Centre. We met back at his place later that evening.

On Saturday morning, Sam went to his parents’ house to get the rest of his stuff. He asked if I wanted to join him, but I declined. Meeting the parents was a big step, and I wasn’t quite ready for that level of closeness with the Martins.

As I replayed the weekend in my mind and admired my culinary efforts, I heard the gentle notes of a piano coming from the room Sam had turned into a mini studio. He’d chosen the smaller bedroom, right next to his own en suite, just off the living room.

I tiptoed over, trying not to make a sound. He usually got shy and stopped singing when he knew I was listening. But this time was different. Sam saw my reflection in the window and smiled. I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms, and sighed as his voice filled the room.

“The simplicity of the notes / fills my ears / It was like the sight of her in the back of my eyes / had been there for all these years.”

His fingers glided effortlessly over the keys of his electric piano, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Well, for him, it was. For the rest of us mere mortals, it was a bit more complicated. And though I was familiar with his incredible falsettos, Sam sang full notes this time, reaching such pure tones that I got goosebumps. His neighbours were so lucky to hear him sing like this, his angelic voice filling the air. I just hoped he knew how special he was.

“Each moment we make / and each song we sing,” he continued, glancing at me through the window. “Are memories I’ll always play / Every laugh and every moment / all safe inside the melody / written deep in my heart for all time.”

Correction: his neighbours were lucky, but I was the luckiest. And maybe staying together after his tour wouldn’t be so bad. We wouldn’t have any more conflicts of interest, and it might actually work. Sam looked back at me and smiled. I walked over, leaning down to kiss the top of his head, my elbows resting on his shoulders. He took my hands and intertwined our fingers, playfully biting one of them.

“Life should be simpler,” he murmured, leaning back against me.

“Agreed,” I said, resting my chin on his head. We stayed like that, lost in our thoughts, for a few minutes. “Dinner’s ready.”

Sam glanced up at me, making a face. “I’m a little scared to find out what you’ve made.” He winced as I swatted his chest.

“Prepare to be amazed, Martin!” I teased, kissing him quickly before heading back to the kitchen, with Sam trailing right behind me.

Life pulled us out of our bubble that Monday. Sam didn’t ask me to stay, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave. Going back to his place after work just felt natural, so I didn’t think twice before heading there each night. It was the week of the Icon Records gala, and I had everything set—dress, shoes, accessories, even my appointment at the salon.

When my alarm went off on Wednesday, Sam was still sound asleep beside me, his head resting on my shoulder. His bed was massive, but neither of us could sleep without some part of us touching. I got up carefully, trying not to disturb him, and slipped into the en suite bathroom to shower. I took off his t-shirt, my new favourite sleepwear, and tossed it into the laundry basket. I grimaced when I noticed how full it was. We’d accumulated so much laundry that I made a mental note to remind Sam to deal with it later. I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash over me, relaxing me and pushing away any lingering thoughts.

After drying my hair with the blow dryer I’d brought over, I got dressed. I kissed his forehead, grabbed my phone from the bedside table, and headed to the kitchen. I was scrolling through emails, completely distracted, when I bumped into something—or rather, someone.

“Oh my God!” A woman’s voice exclaimed. My heart stopped when I looked up. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize my son had company.”

I must have gone as white as a sheet.

“Let’s start over, shall we? Hello, I’m Katherine.” She extended a hand with a friendly smile, her British accent catching me off guard. I forced myself to shake it, barely able to breathe. “I’m Sam’s mother. You must be Elena, right?”

I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. Why hadn’t he told me his mother had a key to his apartment? Better yet, why hadn’t he warned me she might show up unannounced? I just wanted to disappear, to escape from this humiliating situation as fast as possible.

Sam must have sensed something was off because he stumbled out of the bedroom, looking half-awake, his hair a mess as he rubbed his eyes. “Mom?” He sounded confused.

“Good morning, darling,” Katherine said, hugging him. “I’m sorry if I caused any awkwardness. I didn’t know you had a guest. I just thought I’d surprise you and make breakfast before work, but I ended up surprising Elena instead.”

“D-don’t worry, it’s fine,” I stammered, feeling my face flush with the heat of a thousand suns. I could barely look at her, the embarrassment overwhelming. “I was just leaving.”

I desperately wanted to vanish—out of that apartment, that building, the city, the country, the planet—anywhere but there. The level of mortification I felt was off the charts.

“Oh, don’t be silly.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’ve been your age, you know. Just promise me you’re being safe and everything will be fine.”

“Mom!” Sam yelped, clearly mortified.

“I really need to go,” I said quickly, bolting for the door. Sam rushed over, holding my coat and boots. As I pulled them on, I pointed a finger at him. “We’re talking about this later.”

I threw my loafers at him, and when the elevator doors opened, I stepped in without looking back, too afraid to meet the eyes of the most unexpectedly charming person I’d ever met.

“What do you mean, your parents know about us?” I was stunned. Sam and I were having dinner at my place because I refused to go back to his.

“I told my dad, and he couldn’t keep it from her,” he said, shrugging. “It’s no big deal, Lena. And my mom loved you!”

Right, of course. You find your son’s girlfriend—who’s ten years older than him—coming out of his bedroom, and it’s no big deal. Yeah, right.

“For the love of God, Martin!” I groaned. “Please tell me you were at least the one who did the laundry. I’m begging you!”

He pressed his lips into a thin line, trying not to laugh, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Do you want me to lie or tell you the truth?” His voice was full of amusement, which only made things worse.

“Tell me a damn lie.” I pushed my half-eaten dinner into the trash, my appetite gone.

“Yes, I did the laundry,” he said, and I leaned against the kitchen counter, staring at the wall. I felt his hands slide up my arms and rest on my shoulders, giving me a much-needed massage. “Relax. My parents know there’s a part of my life that’s private, and they’re okay with that. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

Sam kissed the back of my neck and gently turned me to face him.

“Come home with me,” he whispered.

“I am home,” I grumbled, still feeling annoyed.

He rolled his eyes. “Come to your second home, then. Or third, if you count your parents’ place.”

“I’m never setting foot in that apartment again, Martin,” I vowed. “Never. God, your mom did my laundry!”

“Of course she did,” he said, taking the dishes to the dishwasher. “Do you really think I know how to do laundry? I have no clue how that machine works.”

I buried my face in my hands. “This is so embarrassing!”

I couldn’t decide what was worse: bumping into Katherine—who probably heard me in the shower and drying my hair—or having her son deliver my freshly laundered clothes, which she had washed herself. I felt his arms wrap around me and couldn’t help but laugh. When I looked up, he had a goofy grin, and I couldn’t keep from laughing too.

“But she really did like you,” he said proudly, and I rolled my eyes. “Oh, and I almost forgot. I have something for you. My mom dropped it off this morning.”

“What?” Please don’t let it be some family heirloom.

Sam went to the living room and came back holding a black velvet box. “Her best friend owns the jewellery store where I got it.” He handed me the box, and I opened it, my eyes widening. “It’s simple, like I promised. I hope you like it.”

Inside was a pair of earrings that sparkled like they were made of stars. They were just two square 5-carat diamonds set in white gold. Elegant, understated, and they would look perfect with the sequins on my dress.

“Do you like them?” His voice sounded nervous.

I pulled him in by the neck, kissing him softly. “I love them! Thank you!” He let out a sigh of relief. “But I’m still not over bumping into your mom this morning!”

Sam laughed loudly and pulled me into a hug, lifting me off the kitchen floor and spinning me around, making me giggle like I hadn’t in years.

I stared at the woman in the mirror, completely mesmerized. I smiled, and she smiled back, the black dress hugging her curves perfectly. My hair was styled in a loose updo, leaving my back exposed, and the diamond earrings shimmered as I checked my makeup. My eyes were dark and defined, balanced by a subtle nude lipstick. I had to admit it: I looked hot as hell.

My phone buzzed with messages. One was from Sam, asking to see my dress, but I declined. He’d just have to wait and see it in person. Another was from the driver hired by Icon Records, confirming he was outside. John’s message said he was stuck in a meeting and would be a little late.

We’d agreed to meet at the party, and that was that. I slipped my phone and lipstick into my clutch and headed out, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling inside me.

Fifteen minutes later, the driver pulled up in front of the Four Seasons, one of Toronto’s most luxurious hotels. The decorations were stunning—white flowers, black tablecloths, and gold accents everywhere. It was miles ahead of last year’s event. The hostess guided me to my team’s table. Sam wouldn’t be sitting with us, as the artists had their own section.

As I approached, I saw Vicky, Morgana, and Peter already seated.

“My. God. In. Heaven,” Peter exclaimed. “Who are you, and what have you done with our Elena?”

I threw my head back, laughing. “Hey, once a year, we can work miracles, right?”

The table erupted in laughter. Soon, Matt and Katie joined us, and we were deep in conversation about the decor and everyone’s outfits when Morgana sighed dreamily.

“Here he comes.”

We all turned to see Sam entering the room, dressed in a classic black tuxedo. He looked like he’d stepped straight out of a fashion campaign, his hair artfully tousled. When he spotted me, his smile lit up the room, sending a swarm of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Hello, everyone,” he greeted, making his way around the table.

He hugged and shook hands, and just as he was about to reach me, a colleague caught my attention. I turned to chat briefly, and when I turned back to Sam, his surprised expression made me grin. He pulled me into a hug, holding me just long enough to whisper in my ear:

“What the hell is this? Are you trying to kill me?”

His hand lingered on my back for a moment, sending shivers through me. But too soon, his agent whisked him away to his own table.

About half an hour later, the person I’d been waiting for finally arrived. I could hardly believe he was here, even though he’d said he would be. When our eyes met, his face lit up with a huge smile, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me.

“Lena,” he murmured into my hair as we hugged.

“John!” My voice was filled with excitement. “I can’t believe you’re here! I’ve missed you so much!”

He kissed my forehead, and I leaned into his familiar warmth as his hand gently rubbed my back, the way only John knew how. It was like coming home. He spun me around, making sure I knew just how stunning he thought I looked.

John was ridiculously handsome—chiseled jaw, thick beard, and eyes that changed shades depending on the light. His hair was always perfectly styled, and his arms were covered in tattoos, my favourite being the lion surrounded by geometric shapes on his right arm.

He sat beside me, and we quickly fell into a conversation, picking up where we’d left off. John was my rock. We’d met at Icon Records years ago, on my first day. He was the only one who saw through the cracks in my marriage and had never hesitated to point it out, even when I didn’t want to hear it. Despite the harsh words I’d thrown his way, he’d stuck by me. When I’d ended up in the hospital after trying to escape my ex, John was the first to show up. He was more than a friend; he was family.

After my divorce, he’d moved in for a few weeks until I felt safe on my own. We’d become so close that people thought we were more than friends, but that was never the case.

We sat facing each other, my legs resting between his, his hand comfortably on my thigh. We hadn’t seen each other since he’d transferred to New York, a move Jeremy had never quite forgiven him for. But John was a talent magnet, and everyone wanted him on their team. It didn’t take long for Jeremy to appear, pretending to be annoyed.

“If you’re trying to steal Elena, give it up now,” he grumbled. The two of them exchanged a quick handshake and hug.

John wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. “That’s not your call, Jeremy. Elena will work with me someday, and we’ll make the New York office the best in the world.”

“She would never betray me like you did. Right, Elena? You’re not moving to New York, are you?”

I laughed. “Right now, I’m not planning on it, Jer. But ‘never’ is a strong word.”

Movement at the back of the room signalled the start of the evening’s second show. Jeremy returned to his table as the lights dimmed. I glanced towards the stage, catching Sam’s gaze. John followed my eyes and smirked.

“How’s your puppet doing?” he teased. I rolled my eyes, but he continued, “Please, Lena. I can recognize when a star is being well fucked. He’s head over heels.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, taking a big gulp of my champagne.

“Sure you don’t.” John tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Let’s see if he can keep it together tonight.”

I gaped at him. “Don’t you dare!”

John just laughed, clearly enjoying himself. “I love a good game.” He kissed the corner of my mouth just as the mic screeched.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Sam’s voice boomed through the speakers.

John chuckled. “Quicker than I thought.”

I didn’t want to mess with Sam’s head tonight. We hadn’t had a chance to talk, and I hadn’t introduced him to John as planned. I’d told him he’d love meeting my friend, and now he was up there watching as John nearly kissed me.

The girls at our table were buzzing, singing along to the first song Sam played. I knew his setlist by heart, so I wasn’t surprised by his choices. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was sending me messages through the lyrics, like he was speaking directly to me. Or maybe I was just overthinking it.

“Shall we dance?” John whispered in my ear, startling me. “Yes, I’m asking you to dance to your boy’s song. Let’s go!”

He didn’t wait for my answer, pulling me onto the small dance floor in front of the stage. We’d danced together so many times before that I didn’t have to think, just follow his lead. His hand was firm on my back, guiding me with ease.

“Elena, I don’t want to freak you out,” he said softly as we turned, giving me a clear view of Sam, “but I think the kid is in love with you.”

I laughed, unable to take him seriously. John was great at reading people, but he also loved to stir the pot. The song ended, and we made our way back to the table, his hand resting on my lower back. As we sat down, I glanced over at Sam, who was now seated at the piano. He caught my eye, and I smiled, but he just turned away, starting to play Compassion.

He kept sneaking glances at me during the song, his gaze intense and full of something I couldn’t quite decipher. John noticed too, and I could feel his tension rising.

“I am everything I have / that is why I’m asking for / a little compassion.”

Sam’s voice was raw, his eyes locked on mine, and John muttered a curse under his breath. Sam tried to play it cool, looking around the room, but it was obvious. He was singing to me, baring his soul in front of everyone.

“Take my heart, break me down to bits / I’ll do anything you want, give you everything / I’m all yours, proudly and fearlessly.”

“That’s enough,” John growled beside me. “Let’s get out of here.”

He was serious, protective, and I knew he was right. We couldn’t afford to be reckless. So I followed him out of the party, holding his hand as Sam’s voice pleaded for compassion. I didn’t look back.

The gala had finally arrived. I couldn’t wait to see Elena all dressed up. I tried to get her to send me a photo of her outfit, just to admire her for a bit, but she wouldn’t budge. She was firm about keeping it a surprise. Tania, my stylist, suggested I wear something different, but I stuck with a classic look. I didn’t want to risk not matching Elena’s style.

During the drive to the Four Seasons, I scrolled through social media, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But she wasn’t the type to pose at the entrance for photos. She probably darted straight inside, avoiding the cameras.

When the car stopped, I got out, smiling at the flashes hitting me from all directions. Blinded by the lights, I made my way into the ballroom with Alex, my manager, by my side. My eyes swept across the room until I spotted her—stunning in a long black sequin dress. The front was modest, with a high neckline and long sleeves, just as I’d expected. Elena was reserved and discreet; she would never wear anything with a plunging neckline. Or at least, that's what I thought.

I approached her team and began greeting them one by one. Just as I was about to talk to her, a petite woman called her name. Elena turned around, and I lost my footing. Her dress, modest in the front, was completely open in the back, leaving her flawless skin on full display for others to see. The cut of the dress stopped just above her ass, and all I wanted was to tear her out of that damned outfit and devour her until morning. Elena looked so beautiful, sexy, and irresistible that I had to hold my breath when she turned back to me. Her wide smile was painted with a natural shade of lipstick, while her eyes were highlighted with mascara and other makeup I couldn’t even begin to name.

When we hugged, her citrusy perfume hit me hard. I was one lucky bastard to have that woman in my life.

“What the hell is this?” I growled. “Are you trying to kill me?”

I knew she was. Elena wanted to see me at her feet, crawling for her. That had to be the reason she chose that dress. And even though I knew she was wearing it for herself, I couldn’t help but dream it was for me. I could hardly wait to drag her to my room and have her all to myself.

Alex pulled me over to our table, and I quickly reached into my pocket, grabbing my phone to send Elena a message.

You look stunning. Definitely the most beautiful woman here.

She didn’t reply. In fact, I hadn’t seen her with her phone at all. And I knew she hadn’t even glanced at it, because I hadn’t taken my eyes off her. I was completely captivated by Elena and her sparkling dress. A stupid grin spread across my face when I noticed she was wearing the earrings I had given her. Yes, I was her date, even if from a distance.

After some time, a guy approached, and Elena stood up, hugging him with more affection than I would’ve liked. Her lips said his name with admiration: John. Damn it, he was the one who had invited my girl to accompany him to the party. He spun her around, taking in the sight of her. I noticed he complimented her, and Elena smiled sweetly. That smile should have been mine, not his.

I grabbed my phone again and sent another message. Maybe if her phone vibrated on the table, someone would let her know.

Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?

Nothing. Elena was completely absorbed in him, not once taking her eyes off that perfectly chiseled face. I clenched my fists and locked my feet around the legs of my chair. I wanted to get up and pull him away from her. The guy was like a vulture, circling around her, not letting anyone else get close. Even when Jeremy came over to talk to her, he pulled her by the waist, pressing his body against hers. I gritted my teeth and looked away. The smile she was giving him was making me sick.

She had said I’d love to meet her friend. In that moment, I couldn’t think of anyone I hated more than him. Who was this guy, anyway? What was so special about him? Sure, he was handsome, I couldn’t deny that. But what did he have that made Elena so fixated on him, ignoring everyone else? Not even glancing at me?

I felt like a discarded toy, tossed aside when she found someone better to hang out with. Ugh, don’t think like that, Martin. Don’t let your mind go there, imagining Elena and John in bed. I sent another message.

Elena, can we talk?

But she still didn’t reply. My girl had eyes only for that damned John, and she only stopped talking to him when someone interrupted them. Minutes later, the event organizer came to tell me my show was up next, and I stood up. My legs were shaking, but I knew going over there would only make things worse, so I headed straight to the stage. I was tuning my guitar when I noticed they were sitting very close. The bastard looked at me. With a smug grin, he said something to Elena, who scolded him. John didn’t care and kissed the corner of her mouth. My blood boiled, and I fiddled with the microphone, making it screech. What I really wanted was to punch him right in the face and knock out all those perfectly straight, white teeth!

The show was a disaster. Every song annoyed me, and I was furious. Not even the gorgeous women showing off in front of the stage could distract me from Elena. When John led her to the dance floor and they started moving together, a painful lump formed in my throat. He glanced at me again, rubbing her back—the same back I loved kissing while she rested after we’d made love. The most beautiful back I’d ever seen, and it looked magnificent in that dress.

John twirled her around, and Elena didn’t seem to care. This wasn’t my stubborn girl who only did what she wanted. Did he put something in her drink?

The piano was placed in front of me, and I got ready to play. She finally looked at me and smiled, but I didn’t smile back. My head was pounding, and all I wanted was to understand why. What had I done to deserve such humiliation?

Compassion was a beautiful song, one I loved, but right then, it felt like a plea to Elena. I just wanted her to stop stomping on my heart like that. We had been fine, spent days together, and even laughed over that incident with my mom. And now, my girl was in another man’s arms, completely ignoring my feelings. It wasn’t fair!

The song was almost over, and I sang as loudly as I could, pushing my lungs and vocal cords to their limits in a desperate attempt to make Elena stop. But John seemed irritated, whispering something to her, though she didn’t respond. Well, she spoke with her eyes, eyes I couldn’t see because they were fixed on his damn face.

Hand in hand with that guy, Elena quickly said goodbye to her team and walked towards the door, while I sat there at the piano, pleading for compassion. The last thing I saw was their exchanged glances before John wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they disappeared into the hallway, both smiling.

I sang the final song with great difficulty and rushed off the stage straight to the bathroom, where I vomited up my dinner and all the words I hadn’t been able to say to Elena.