DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GLEE BUT THIS ONE SHOT I DO!
CHRISTMAS ERA, ENJOY :)
Hallelujah: Pentatonix Version
The spinning of the chair was all that was visible through the see through windows. He wasn't listening, nor did he really want to. He was over this ordeal and the fact that his manager and publicist was double teaming him right now. Everything and everyone was getting on his nerves, and he just wanted to be done with it.
"The interview with Daniel was horrible. You did not stick to the prep and it caused more bad looks for you."
"This continued bad press is not good."
"Sam, are you even listening?"
He guessed he'd turned back in. Sighing, the chair stopped spinning as his eyes went to both women, "What was that?"
The collective groans ran out, causing him to roll his eyes once again his publicist started speaking again.
"You and Larissa had that online beef last month. This argument left a bad taste in a good amount of your female fans mouths and left a bad image to your younger ones."
"Since all the damage control we have tried to do has gone bad, we have come up with a final resolution."
"With that being said, I have scheduled for an interview with Clyde Grammar for damage control AND you will be performing a duet with Larissa for the Christmas Countdown."
Sam stared at them in disbelief before laughing, "Let me get this straight…..you want me to sing with the world's most spoiled, entitled bitch for some damage control?"
"You need some soap for that mouth of yours?" Alexa, his manger, raised her brow, watching as he looked away to Nessa, his publicist.
"You don't have that many options, Sam. You either do the performance or have a tainted reputation of the singer who can't work with anybody, who is also disrespectful towards women…""
"It was only her."
"…and let me remind you what that entitles: endorsements reductions, no bookings, should I continue?"
"I think I understand.
"Good. I'm glad we can get on the same page. Besides, what better way to work out your differences than coming together and singing on one of the most watched shows of the year." She smiled much to his dismay as she uncrossed her arms, "Rehearsal is tomorrow at ten. Don't be late."
Sam watched as the two filed out the conference room, leaving him to sit there and process the information. He couldn't believe that they were making him do this, but he didn't have any other choice.
The next morning, the woman looked at her watch and rolled her eyes before dialing the number again, pacing the area as she placed the phone to her ear. She was pissed that this was happening yet again, but she shouldn't be surprised because that's how this girl was.
You've reached Larissa, sorry I can't get to phone right now. Try again later or not, bye.
She closed the phone down and shook her head as she walked over to where the other three women were, stopping in front of one in particular. As always, she was the only dependable one.
"I'm not doing it."
"We can't wait for her anymore. We have already went thirty minutes into our rehearsal time."
"Kasey."
"MJ, please." She pleaded as she looked at her, "I wouldn't be asking if this didn't put us in a financial tug. Time is money and she wasting it."
MJ rolled her eyes and got up from the seat, grunting lowly as she walked down the steps and headed out onto the stage. This was the last thing she wanted to do and leave it to Larissa to put her in this position again in the same month, but for the fifth time this year.
Sam glanced at the time and let out a prolonged breath as he watched the woman came onto the stage in confusion, his eyes going over to the man on the side, "Where's Larissa?"
"We have no idea." The producer responded as the stage manager handed him the mic, "We have to make do right now. This is MJ, her background singer. She's going to take her place."
"And they call me unprofessional." Sam stated with a sarcastic laugh, eyes going over to the woman who was now standing in front of him, placing the ear piece in, "How you don't show up to rehearsal? Then, your background singer has to take your place. This is pure comedy."
"Look asshole." MJ spoke for the first time since coming onto the stage, prompting everyone around them to get quiet, "I'm not thrilled about this either, so just shut the hell up with the complaining and sing this damn song so we can get this over with."
Standing on the side of the piano, Alexa smirked as she glanced up from her phone, looking at the stunned expression on her client's face. Good. About time somebody put him in his place.
Before Sam could even respond to her, they had dimmed the lights and the choir had started harmonizing and the band beginning to play. He put the mic to his mouth and began singing the opening the notes.
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do ya?
Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Well, your faith was strong, but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to the kitchen chair
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
She looked at him and opened her mouth to sing, leaving the man in front of her shock, which she smiled a bit before she continued.
Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Sam stared at her in complete disbelief. She sounded amazing, a hella lot better than Larissa. He was so wrapped up in her voice that he was oblivious that he was moving closer to her.
Well, maybe there's a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who has seen the Light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The two, now standing right in front of each other, harmonizing the last part as they stared at each other before breaking contact when everyone around them clapped.
"Wow."
MJ cleared her throat as she stepped back, handing the mic back to the stage manager before turning on her heels and leaving, passing Alexa as she made her way to her client.
"I want her." He looked at his manager who had a raised brow, "I mean, I want to sing with her."
"Sam, she's a background."
"I don't give a shit if she's the janitor, did you hear her voice?"
"Yes, I was right there. She definitely has some pipes on her, but she's not known and I'm not saying that to be mean, it's the truth. Plus, you and…."
"Larissa."
They turned to look when they heard heels clicking against the wood while the producer took off his headset, "You're late."
"Fashionably late." She corrected as she removed her glasses from her face and handed them to her assistant, squinting in Sam's direction, "Let's get started."
"Oh, we're done. We didn't have time to wait for your ass."
"Done?" Larissa scoffed as she looked around with a chuckle, "How can you be done when the star just arrived?"
"Because it's called an assigned time slot for a reason." Sam cut his eyes at her, "Plus, MJ filled in for you."
"As she should but I'm here now, so let's do it right."
"She's gone though."
"Why?" Larissa asked as she looked at the two other women who had appeared when she arrived, seeing them looked back at Sam, prompted her to scowl at him, "Did you have something to do with that? I wouldn't be surprised. You're good at ruining things and people."
Sam bit the inside of his cheek before he turned to his manager who gave him a look that told him to suck it up and don't respond. Counting to three in his head, he exhaled as he switched the mic back on, "Let's get this over with."
It took him all night to find her. Larissa was so self-centered. About 90% of the pictures she posted was of herself, and when she did include her background singers, she didn't tag them. Thankfully, a fan of hers acknowledged them in one, prompting him to find who he was looking for.
@TheBV_MJ Serenity.
She had tweeted about an hour ago of a book and a cup of tea with the background of downtown. Luckily, he knew exactly where she was and he was definitely going to go with an intention. He couldn't let a voice like that get away. He opened the door to the shop, making his way to the counter as he pulled down his scarf, earning a widen of eyes from the barista at the counter. He took note of her reaction though. It was different from the others. She wasn't loud, didn't squeal to cause attention, instead, she cleared her throat and gave a small smile and greeted him.
"Hi, what can I get you?"
"First, who can I make this out to?" Sam asked knowingly as he grabbed a napkin, his eyes catching hers as she looked at him in awe before she got herself back straight. He knew that she wouldn't have asked on her own.
"Logan." She said without hesitation as he looked at her name plate and chuckled when he raised a curious brow, "I'm a fan too, but my little brother is a bigger one. It will mean the world to him, I'm sure of it."
Thank you for being a big fan of mine. I hope that I can continue to inspire you in the best way possible. Keep being amazing, Logan.
By the way, you have an awesome sister!
Sam Evans
She looked at the napkin when he handed it to her with a toothy smile before placing it in the pocket of her apron, "Now, what can I get you?"
"What can you tell me about that woman sitting by the window with the blue hat?"
The girl looked in that direction, a bigger smile taking over her features when she realized who he was talking about, "Her name is Mercedes Jones, but everyone calls her MJ. She drinks Chamomile Tea with honey, she's an amazing singer, when she not singing, she spends her time volunteering. She's single, no kids. She's the sweetest person ever but don't get on her bad side."
"Duly noted." He looked back at her as he pulled out his wallet and grabbed a hundred dollar bill and gave it to her with a lopsided grin, "Can I get that same tea please?"
Mercedes flipped to the next page of the book before she felt someone's presence stop in front of her. She briefly looked up when she noticed the cup, "Oh, I didn't order a re…." She drifted off when she saw who it was, rolling her eyes as she pulled her AirPods from her ear, "You've got to be kidding me."
"Hey there."
Mercedes placed her pods in the case then closed her book before she looked at the man in front of her, "What are you doing here? No, a better question, why are you bothering me?"
"Sing with me. That's all I want."
Mercedes titled her head as if she was giving it some thought before finally speaking, "Let me think about it."
"Really?"
"No." She stood up from the chair to put her coat and hat on before she walked away.
Sam was truly going against his grain. He didn't beg for anything or anyone, but it was something about her that he couldn't let go of. He placed the cup down on the table before he followed behind her, "This could be your opportunity for a big break. I don't know too many people that would turn this down."
Mercedes stopped in her tracks and turned back to him, "That's where you're wrong. I don't care. I don't want the stardom, never did. I love singing and I'm fine where I am at."
Sam watched as she turned once more but again, he stopped her with his words, "Be my backup singer then. I'll pay you triple than what she is."
Mercedes looked as if she was contemplating but in all honestly, she wasn't. She was just puzzled at his sudden interest of her, "Why do you want me so bad?"
"Because I haven't heard a real singer like you in forever. One who doesn't need the auto tune, nor has the mic off. You're rare and you have an amazing gift that needs to be shared with the world."
"I'm sure there's some ulterior motive with you. What are you getting out of it?"
"Nothing and that's the honest God truth."
Mercedes stared at him for the longest before her phone dinged, looking down, she saw that it was an alert for rehearsal. She locked it before sticking it back in her purse then looking back at the man in front of her before turning on her heels, "Have a nice afternoon."
Sam watched as she walked away, prompting him to smile. He was wearing her down and he was going to get her to be with him one way or another. He just needed a better plan and he knew just who to go to for it.
A/N. It's my favorite time of the year! So yes, there's going to be another part :)
