Page 96 of Ms Perfectly Fine
Suddenly worried about who might be watching her if Heather wasn’t the culprit, her eyes drifted to the officers in plain suits lingering in the shadows at the stage entrances and emergency exits. She was protected. Thanks to the adrenaline coursing through her, the dull ache that should have been radiating through her body after so many rehearsals was practically gone.
Elijah tapped her shoulder, disrupting her thoughts.
“How did you get back here?” she demanded, noting how handsome he looked in his black tux. His presence gave her an extra boost of confidence.
“One of the officers let me in through the stage door since Aiden added me to the cleared list.”
She rolled her wrist. “I can’t seem to get them to steady.”
Elijah glanced at her hands and took them in his own. “You don’t need to be nervous. If you play how I heard you last night, no one will be able to take their eyes off you—not that they will anyway, considering how beautiful you look.” He brought her hands to his lips as she heard the next movement begin. Autumn wanted to compliment Nina on how well she’d done, but she must have exited off the other side of the stage.
“Thank you for coming back here. I didn’t realise how much I needed it,” she whispered. The love in his eyes almost killed her.
“Nothing makes me happier than standing by your side.”
They watched the next two movements with his arm around her shoulders. The winter movement was coming up, and she wanted him to see her from the audience.
“I go on after this movement. Take your seat. I don’t want Tim to be lonely,” she said. Sasaki had sat them together now that they’d agreed to work on their relationship. Elijah kissed her cheek before disappearing back to his seat.
Sasaki announced her name, and Autumn took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. All her worries disintegrated when she stepped into the spotlight.
Everything went silent as she took her place at the piano. This was her moment to let everyone know that this was her space, and no threat, injury, or trauma was going to take it away from her. From the small pocket in her dress, she removed the picture of herself and Mollie and placed it on top of the piano.
This is for us.She smiled, feeling as though her friend was sitting beside her.
Autumn’s fingers grazed the keys, and she glanced at Sasaki, who nodded curtly, telling her to begin. With a slow exhalation, she let the music flow through her. No longer caring about being perfect, all she wanted to do was make the stage hers again.
The spotlight blinded the audience from her view, and she finally felt she was home. She could hear nothing but the music; she didn’t miss a note or try to speed through it. She savoured every moment, and when it was over, she felt her tears slide down her cheeks.
We did it. We finished,she thought as Mollie smiled up at her. She placed the photo safely in her pocket.
She didn’t even notice the applause until Sasaki offered her his hand, breaking her from the trance. Staring out, she smiled through her tears and saw the audience rise to their feet, cheering and clapping. Quickly wiping her tears, she bowed in thanks. Sasaki embraced her, and she thought she would pass out from the relief. The moment that she had longed for, and been terrified of, was over.
“I’m so proud of you,” Sasaki said, releasing her. “Welcome back.”
Autumn laughed as the adrenaline left her. “I can’t believe I did it.”
Together, they bowed again, and she searched the audience for Elijah, scanning the front row. Tim gave her two thumbs up, but she noticed Elijah’s seat beside him was empty.He must be backstage waiting for me.She left the stage as the others passed her with quick congratulations to do their own bows.
“Autumn, sorry—your phone wouldn’t stop ringing,” Aimee said, passing over her phone before jogging on to join the others.
Autumn frowned at her phone. Elijah was calling.
“Where did you disappear off to?” she asked, heading backstage to her dressing room. The ongoing applause distorted his voice.
“I’m sor—I had…out. Aiden…they got… print…-ack.” His words were broken and mixed with static.
“Elijah? I can’t hear you. The reception is terrible back here. Just come in the stage door,” she said through the static.
“Wait! The…-int wasn’t—” Her phone went dead as soon she entered her dressing room.
“Elijah?” she called, but the signal went dead. She cursed under her breath and shoved her phone into her pocket, reminding herself to call him back as soon as she left.
Closing the door to the changing room behind her, she tried to turn on the main light, but the bulb must have blown. However, the lights from the mirrors meant she could see, and all she wanted was a chance to gather herself before she rejoined the others for a glass or three of champagne.
At her dressing table, a bouquet of white roses waited for her. She touched the crisp white petals, smooth beneath her fingers.At least they aren’t red,she thought, only to notice a shadow lingering behind her in the mirror.
Autumn froze. “Heather?”
