Forbidden Melody

By BlueHot Chronicles

Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of BlueHot Chronicles. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note:

This is my first Modern Family fanfiction story. I created my OC to be the sister of Andre (he used to be the Dunphy's neighbour and Phil's friend). Mostly canon up to season three.

First Published: 10-07-18 on my Facebook Page
M Genre: Drama, Romance

Warnings: AU, OOC-ish Phil, Song-Fic, (M for) Mature Topics and Language

Summary:

Phil is confronted by his deepest desire as temptation takes the form of an enchanting lyricist.

~~~(*)~~(*)~~~

Chapter One

They'd met at a karaoke bar for an after-work get-together. This was something they didn't do often at their company as their job usually kept them out of the office. After a few drinks, Vicky started things off with a rousing Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler.

Phil silently admires her singing while he applauds her along with his six other co-workers.

"I'd help her out, but my wife already calls me Superman. Especially in the sack."

Phil lets out a low dry laugh at Gil's ever-increasing vulgar comments while the other guys laugh their asses off, and the two other ladies -Gabrielle and Mei- rolled their eyes and scoffed. Phil returned his gaze to Vicky's performance but is immediately redirected to their table when Gil let's out a yelp.

"Hey!"

"Oh, my gosh… is that you, Gil?"

Phil is immediately entranced by the dusky beauty with one arm clamped on Gil's shoulders while holding a beer bottle that was still dripping foam over the sides and onto Gil's shirt.

"Aww, come on Jemima-"

The bottle tilted.

"Oh," husky giggles escape plush glossy lips, "oops, silly me."

"I'm sorry, Jemisha, okay. I was just joking about Vicky, 'Misha. I'm sorry."

"Hmm, look at that ladies," the beauty said, patting Gil's hair after giving him a napkin, "you can teach any old dog new tricks."

His co-workers laughed, greeting the newcomer, and Phil was pulled out of his stupor by a hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

"Oh, Phil, I think you're the only one that hasn't met my long lost best friend," Vicky said in passing as she went to take the newcomer's hand and drag over to Phil's side of the table, "'Misha, this is the last of my co-workers. Phil Dunphy this is Jemisha Turner, Jemisha this is Phil. So now you've met them all."

Phil stood, taking her neat little hand in his, and he realised how petite she was for such an encompassing nature.

"It's nice to meet you, Jemisha."

"It's nice to finally meet Vicky's work-husband -"

"Work-what… ?"

"- and my brother's own recently lost friend."

"Your brother?" Phil self-consciously released the hand he held a few seconds too long, glad for a distraction.

"Andre."

"Andre, my ex-next door neighbour!" Phil said in a soft shout of surprise and smiled. "How is he? And how did I not know he had such a… a sister."

Jemisha chuckled and tucked a lock of curls behind her ear.

"Andre is doing great his private practice is up and running, and you may not have heard of me as I only recently returned to the country looking for a house to buy. Andre was telling me about his realtor friend, but I couldn't do that to my girl here."

"And you know what the kicker is, Phil?" Vicky cut in with a smirk at him. "The house I sold her is only two blocks away from yours."

"That's convenient," Phil chuckled, then raised panicked hands, "not that it's convenient that you live so close to me. I meant that it would have been nice to take you in a house - to a house - sold you a house close to mine… Well, it was nice meeting you, Jemisha. I'm gonna go have my turn at that thing over there."

Phil rushed away, so he didn't hear the two friends' soft chatter.

"He's a bit of a goof, but he's happily married so he's harmless, and really helpful especially at the office."

"Oh, he's married, that's nice. He seems like a sweetie though."

"Really. Well, that's a first."

The rest of the evening was spent in fun and drinks, even with Gil's potty mouth and misogyny threatening to ruin Phil's and the ladies fun.

After embarrassing himself in front of Jemisha, Phil had decided to take a turn at the mic with a song from one of his favourite singers. By the time he's finished belting out If Ever You're In My Arms Again, all the ladies were 'wooing' and clapping. When he got back to their table, Vicky is sitting beside him with Skip on his other side -clapping him on the shoulder with slight teasing about serenading the ladies- and Jemisha on the other side of Vicky chatting away with Gabrielle and Mei.

Phil feels slightly disappointed that the ladies didn't compliment his singing, but shakes it off; at least everyone else seemed to enjoy it.

"So, Phil, you rocked that Peabo Bryson. I'm impressed that you know a classic."

Phil swallowed his mouthful of beer and looked around at Jemisha leaning over Vicky -who continued to have her conversation with Gabrielle and Mei.

"Of course I do," he replied slightly offended, "Peabo Bryson is the most famous singer who ever lived."

"Yeah," Jemisha said, beaming, "he's amazing. So was your singing, by the way."

Her eyes were bright as she raised her beer to his, and Phil wondered if she'd had too much to drink or if her eyes were this naturally brilliant. His annoyance disappeared and he tapped his bottle to hers.

"Definitely amazing," he replied, and deep down Phil knew he wasn't talking about Mr Bryson anymore. Just then Jemisha jumped in her seat as if poked and she sat back allowing Vicky to turn to him.

"So, Phil. How are Claire and the kids?"

~o~O~o~

After that night, Phil would take Claire or any available members of his family to Karaoke nights, whether his co-workers were there or not. It became something he enjoyed and went all out for, like every other activity he undertook.

Sometimes Vicky and Jemisha would be there, and one time he and Claire had enjoyed an evening of karaoke with the ladies and their dates. That night, he accepted Jemisha's friend request, after making sure Claire was okay with it; Claire had laughed at his caution and said it was fine.

This Karaoke weekend was the fifth time the co-workers were meeting since Phil first met Jemisha, and he was looking forward to it. They'd met up online the night before and one conversation led to another, and now they were doing a duet. Claire, Gloria, Mitch and Cam were all going to be there; it was already shaping up to be a fun-filled evening.

'… Through the fire

Through whatever, come what may

For a chance at loving you

I'd take it all the way

Right down to the wire

Even through the fire.'

"Ooh, Vicky, your friend is a wonderful singer."

"Thanks, Gloria. 'Misha's always had a great singing voice. Her brother Andre and I have always wished she'd pursued it, but her goal has always been to write music."

"Does Phil know he's going to be singing with a near-professional?" Claire leans forward to get a better view of Vicky in the darkness of the lounge.

"Well, if he didn't, he does now," Vicky yells over the applause of the crowd.

All eyes at their table turned to the shifty shadow at the corner of the small stage that was Phil, waiting for his queue.

Phil was clapping along with everyone else when Jemisha stepped off the stage and approached him.

"Wow, you're amazing and now I'm scared."

Jemisha laughed, mopping at her damp forehead with a handkerchief and motioned to bar.

"Then, by all means, let's get you loosened up a bit. There are about two amateurs before we go on."

Phil shuffled along with her to the bar and ordered.

"I'll have a Bourbon on the rocks and a Mojito for the lady. You do know that I'm an amateur, don't you?"

"A Mojito?"

"The lime and the mint are great for your throat and I happen to know that it tastes amazing. Seriously, Jemisha, I'm freaking out."

"You're right; it does, and relax, you have an amazing voice, Philip. I wasn't lying that first night." Jemisha pats his arm comfortingly and accepted her drink.

Phil checks a tremor of pleasure at the sound of his full name on her lips. He'd promised to call her Jemisha, as her friends and family tended to shorten her name -a ritual she's never enjoyed; and she did the same for him even though he was used to being called 'Phil'.

"Hey, let's go over to our group. Being around your friends and family will relax you."

"Ah, no. Let's just sit over there by the stage. If I go back to our table, I'll never get back up to perform with you."

Jemisha signalled Vicky that they were staying near the stage, and Phil led the way back to the lounge seats, divided from the room by concrete planters housing tall thick foliage.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about my singing," Jemisha said, sliding into the tall smooth seat opposite his and placed her drink on the table, "It's just not something that occurs to me, and I really don't think you have anything to worry about."

"How come I've never heard you sing? You're here with us most of the time."

"Oh, well, I love places like this; the singing the fun everyone has. I especially love live music, there's this place that Andre took me when I first started writing music and… I've been singing there on some weekends. I like to come here and relax -away from performing- and since this is where you and your family and friends come, I thought it'd be easier to have our duet here."

"Well, at least I got to experience those dulcet tones of yours, I'm even getting to perform with you. I hope I don't ruin your rep, though I've been practising all day when no one's around; but if a professional singer such as yourself say that my voice is fine, then I guess I should believe you."

"Damn right, you better believe."

They tap their glasses together -accidentally splashing their drinks one into the other- before turning to enjoy a fun rendition of New Attitude.

~o~O~o~

One evening, close to two weeks after their duet, Jemisha took him to the lounge she usually performed in.

On entering the darkened room, Phil's arms were clamped to his side by a tiny someone -who wasn't Jemisha, as she was to his front, heading to a corner table- hugging him. Phil twisted awkwardly and looked down.

"Andre? Hey, how are you?!"

"I'm great. What's up, man? It's been a long time; you don't write, you don't call. 'Misha called though, said she was performing tonight and bringing you along, and thought we could catch up while she's doing her thing."

"'Dre, you made it!" Jemisha grabbed her brother in a hug and turned to Phil. "Surprise! I wasn't sure if he'd make it. I know you two have missed hanging out together. Come sit, I ordered you guys a round."

"You hittin' the stage already! Do I need to have a talk with Don again?"

"Relax, 'Dre, I'm just going to warm up. I'm doing five sets in a row this evening, with only a couple minutes rest in between; I want to relax the rest of the night with you guys. It's a one time deal though, Donell's been bitching about it all week."

"So, that's a yes. I see I need to put my foot down with that sleazy mother-"

Phil propped a hand under his chin with a grin on his face as he observed their interaction. Jemisha hopped off her seat and plastered a kiss on the still-complaining Andre's cheek.

"I'm off, behave and have fun catching up with Philip."

"Philip?" Andre looked between the two before yelling at Jemisha's departing back. "His name's Phil."

Jemisha waved an arm but didn't look back as she manoeuvred through the crowded room, her pencil-jeaned posterior swaying seductively as she went. Phil wrenched his eyes from her rolling hips as Andre turned to him.

"So, Philip, what's going on between you and my sister?"

"What?" Phil started to laugh, but Andre had an ashamed-to-ask-but-I'm-serious face. "Oh, no, no. Andre, it's not like that. This isn't a date or anything like that; Jemisha and I are just hanging out."

"Phil, like I've said before you're my brother-from-another-mother and I have a lot of respect for you. But 'Misha's my little sister, I know her, and the way she talks about you -along with the things Vicky's been telling me- it makes my hair stand on end, man. Not in that way, man. If you were single I'd be pushing you two together, but you're married, Phil, and like hell I'm gon' let anybody treat my baby sis like a side piece."

"Andre I swear that Jemisha and I are just friends, like you, she's one of the best friends I've ever had. There's nothing inappropriate going on between us, please believe me; I would never disrespect her -or my wife- like that."

Andre sighed and took a sip of his beer. "I know, man, 'Misha said the same thing and deep down I know you're not like that. But believe me, 'Misha's… let's just say that if she just thought of you as a friend, you'd never have seen the inside of this place unless I'd decided to invite you here one day. Or you somehow accidentally found your way through that tree-tunnel."

"That tree-tunnel is amazing!"

"Yeah, it's one of the main reasons they get asked to host a lot of events here."

Phil thought over Andre's earlier words and felt a smidge of guilt for unintentionally leading on his friend's sister.

"If it'll help the situation, I'll limit our communications from now on, but I don't think you have anything to worry about when it comes to Jemisha. She has a good head on her shoulders and is absolutely gorgeous. That woman can have any man she wants, why would she settle for a man like me?"

Andre stared at him dumbfounded with his beer raised before placing the bottle on the table. "Wow. Vicky was right."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. It's not your problem, man. I'm sorry I had to put my foot down and get all gangsta, but you're right, it's not you I have to worry about."

"Okay, so we're good?"

"Yeah, we cool, man. Hey, you in for a treat. Our dad used to swear that 'Misha slid out of mom singing an alleluia aria."

"Do your parents come often to see her perform?"

"Just mom. Dad passed away a few years ago."

"Oh, sorry."

Phil was about to ask to hear more about Jemisha's performances growing up but was interrupted by the DJ.

"Now, I know you've all been waiting for this young lady all night. You better get up out your seat cuz, fast or slow, the girl has the vocals to make you move to the beat. Let's all welcome to the stage, the wonderful and extremely talented Miss Turner, beginning her performance with a dancehall classic. Give it up for our Jem, people!"

The crowded room went wild as the reggae beat started, and Phil and Andre stood next to their seat to have a better view. For a moment Phil was confused when a voice started singing in a Caribbean accent, but then Jemisha appeared on stage and a grin spread across his face. Andre jabbed his arm playfully.

"Told you, my baby sis was born to entertain man."

'Ah woulda like one ah dese mornin's

to wake up an' find

your face on ah pillow lyin'

right next to mine… '

As the song progressed and Phil properly heard the chorus, he fought not to look at Andre who gave him an 'I told you so' look the first time he'd glanced at him. Phil took up his beer and took a swig forcing himself to swallow past the lump in his throat. Excitement thrummed through him and Phil bobbed his head, refusing to acknowledge the reason for it.

Phil enjoyed the rest of her performance, not so much her last song, as the guy accompanying kept groping her hips. Phil asked Andre if they should do something about it, but Andre only laughed and shook his head.

"Nah, 'Misha's got it. Dude's been jonesin' for years, but 'Misha's first love has always been music. Well… "

'… 'Cause I really need somebody

Tell me are you that somebody?'

The burning desire to answer her call had Phil rushing off to the men's room, and he only returned when Jemisha had finished her set. On his return, Andre kept shooting weird glances between them but otherwise, the three -four, when Andre's wife showed up half an hour later- had a blast for the rest of the evening.

~o~O~o~

A month later, something happened he never thought he'd experience, and it all began with Phil mentioning having a karaoke night at home with just the family.

"You took that woman on a date, Phil!"

"Claire, it wasn't a date. You know Jemisha; you know that she and I are just friends."

"Oh I have her number alright and I damn well know you, Phil. You've always been attracted to women like her and now you're always chatting online, hanging out in karaoke bars all over the state -where she sings to you by the way- you even sang that damn song with her, Phil!"

"You said you liked our duet."

"Oh, every single one of our friends and family that were there that night liked it. You gave them enough cannon fodder to talk about our failing marriage. Yeah, Phil, it was absolutely fantastic watching my husband and the woman of his dreams look deep into each other's eyes singing A Whole New World."

"Claire . . . it's called emoting, and everyone genuinely loved it. At least I thought so. Why are you crying?"

"Oh, my GOD!"

Phil tried to take her flailing arms but she pulled away.

"You're really not getting this, are you? It's the same as when that client of yours kept kissing me on the lips. You don't see what you're doing with this woman is wrong. You're cheating, Phil. You might not be sleeping with her, but you are definitely cheating!"

"Claire, it's not what you think. Where are you going? Claire, wait, we need to talk about this!"

However, Claire left and took the kids with her to Jay and Gloria's. That had been two months ago, and ever since that day, Phil has kept his distance from Jemisha -in person and online- and all karaoke bars. Still, Claire refused to come home no matter how much he begged.

He didn't know what to do anymore, but he continued to try to make things right. Surprisingly, even Jay was rooting for him and, instead of comforting, it worried Phil that Claire might do something drastic. Hence, every day after work, he would go over to Jay's to visit with her and the kids, but so far Claire would just disappear into her room until he left.

Phil stepped off the bus -his car had decided to take a break from him too- and pulled his coat tighter as he stood under the tiny awning of the bus stop, not looking forward to the ten-minute walk in the pouring rain. Today had been more of the same; the kids asking to come home and Claire doing her disappearing act.

A soft voice calling his name caught his attention and his eyes closed in anticipation and despair. Pulling himself together he turned to the voice.

"Jemisha, it's been a while."

"Yeah, that happens when you ignore calls and texts and all those social type thingies."

Phil heard the question but he just didn't have an appropriate answer for her. Even with the downpour, her cocoa-butter and strawberry fragrance assaulted him, the coat she wore flared prettily from her tiny waist to her knees and he clenched his hands, pushing down the desire to wrap his arms around her.

"Philip, was it something I said or did?"

"No, of course not. I just have some personal problems I need to work out, that's all." Phil wrenched his gaze from a raspberry glossed lip being tugged by straight white teeth.

"You know I'm available to talk if you need, don't you? That's what friends are for."

"I know, and thanks, but I just need space right now."

"Well, that's fine then. Do you want me to walk you to your door?" she asked as she stepped closer, brandishing the umbrella she was about to open.

"Would you please… just stop!"

Phil regretted his outburst when she stepped back and glanced away looking unsure. After all the things Jemisha had confided in him, he'd never wanted to be the next man to make her feel that way, and shame washed over him.

"O-okay." She looked like she was about to say more, but instead, she quickly walked away without another glance at him.

His head and shoulders drooped as he slowly made his way home in the pouring rain.

~o~O~o~