Clary hummed along to the pop song that played over the store's speakers as she worked on reorganizing a shelf of paintbrushes. The art supply store she worked at had been excruciatingly slow the past few weeks, and she found herself struggling to find odd jobs to do to keep herself busy. She had already cleaned every inch of the store and now she was working on organizing and rearranging all the merchandise. With the paintbrushes, she was meticulously organizing them by size, paint type, shape, and handle/bristle color, convincing herself it would make it easier for a customer to find whatever they were looking for. But she knew the chances of someone coming in and paying any attention to the organization of the paintbrushes were extremely low. In fact, the chances of more than a few people wandering into the store a day were low.
Business had been terrible lately, and there was talk about Magnus having to shut down the store. She had no idea what she was going to do if that happened and she was out of a job. Not only did the pay, as meager as it was, help her pay off her student loan debt, the generous employee discount Magnus offered helped her to be able to continue sketching and painting. Her rent had gone up, though, and she hadn't been able to afford any new supplies in a while. In fact, she hadn't even been able to afford rent recently and knew she was on the verge of getting evicted. She would be absolutely screwed if she lost this job.
After reshelving the last paintbrush, Clary stood up and wiped her hands on the loose fitting, second hand tan pants she was wearing. Their uniform was simple. All Magnus required was for them to wear tan or khaki pants, shirts that said "Bane's Art Supplies" on the back, and a nametag. All she'd had to supply on her own was the pants, and she was grateful for that. She wasn't sure if she'd have been able to afford buy much else when she'd gotten the job.
Turning around, she looked out the store's front windows and into the mall. There were crowds of people milling about, laughing and shopping. It was reaching the end of summer, and she saw quite a few teenagers hanging around, trying to enjoy their last few weeks of freedom. She was about to turn back around when something caught her eye. Standing away from all the people walking about was a little girl. Clary guessed she couldn't be around more than four or five. She had the most beautiful blonde curls she had ever seen on a child, and her crystal blue eyes were wide and filled with tears. She obviously looked scared, but nobody was paying her any attention.
"Hey, Maia," Clary called to the girl standing behind the register, "I'll be right back."
"Okay," Maia replied, her brown curls bouncing as she nodded, not looking up form whatever magazine currently had her attention.
Clary quickly exited the store and carefully approached the young girl. She knelt down in front of her, trying to be less intimidating, and smiled kindly. "Hi, my name's Clary, what's yours?" she said gently.
"Ceecee," the girl replied through tears.
"It's nice to meet you, Ceecee. Are you lost?" The girl nodded. "Do you know where your mommy or daddy are?"
"No," the girl sobbed, crying harder.
"Do you remember where you last saw them?" Clary pressed, hoping to get any sort of information out of her, but the girl just shook her head. Letting out a sigh, Clary stood up and offered the girl her hand. "Okay, why don't we go find someone who can help us?"
The girl tentatively took her hand, and Clary started to lead her through the throngs of people in the mall. She was going to take her to mall security, which was all the way on the other side of the building and didn't want to risk losing her.
"So, Ceecee," Clary started, knowing she could get Ceecee to calm down if she distracted her, "how old are you?"
"I'm five," she responded, grinning. The tears had finally stopped. "I get to go to big kid school soon."
"That's exciting! Do you know where you're going?"
The little girl nodded. "Idris Academy."
Clary's eyes widened. Idris was the most expensive private school in New York City. Whoever this girl's parents were, they were loaded. "Wow. That's a nice school. Are you going to a preschool now?"
"Nope. Ms. Graymark comes over and teaches me."
Clary almost scoffed. Of course this girl had a private tutor. She was speaking better than most five year olds Clary knew, and she was probably smarter than all them, too. Money definitely could buy you intelligence.
"What's your favorite subject?"
"Art. I love to color," she responded confidently.
Clary smiled at her. She loved it when young children had any sort of interest in art, even if it was just coloring. "Maybe your parents could bring you by the art store later and you can get some new crayons or pencils."
Ceecee grinned. "Oooh. I hope Daddy let's me."
I bet your father gives you whatever you ask for, Clary thought, internally rolling her eyes. She immediately berated herself for that, though. She shouldn't a five year old's financial status against her, especially since Ceecee seemed to be such a sweet child.
Clary turned down the hallway that lead to the security office and heard raised voices echoing down. As she got closer, she saw to men standing at the window, arguing with the woman behind the counter.
"All we're asking for is to look at your security tapes so I can see where she might have wandered off to," one of them said, pulling at his golden hair.
"I told you we can't do that sir," the woman said, clearly irritated.
"Mr. Herondale, I can call in Jordan and we can do a sweep," the other man said.
Before Blondie could reply, Ceecee drew their attention.
"Daddy!" she yelled, pulling her hand free from Clary's.
Both men turned around, and Clary's breath caught in her throat. The blonde man had to be the most attractive person she had ever seen. His golden hair was in a curly mess on top of his head, and it looked as if he had been running his hands through it. He was dressed in expensive looking suit pants and white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. From where she was standing, Clary thought his eyes looked almost golden, and his cheekbones looked like they could cut diamonds.
"Ceecee!" Clary watched as relief flooded the man's face. He squatted down and opened his arms, allowing his daughter to run into them. He picked her up and kissed her cheek. "You had me so scared. How did you get here?"
"Miss Clary brought me," she said, pointing in Clary's direction.
The God walking amongst humans looked at her, and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. Clary gave him a tight smile and waved awkwardly. "Hi."
In a few strides, the man was standing in front of her. "Thank you so much," he said, balancing Ceecee in one arm and stretching out the other to shake her hand.
"It was no problem, really," she responded, shaking his hand. She felt a jolt of electricity from his touch, but figured she was just imagining things.
He smiled, and she noticed a small chip in one of his incisors. At least he wasn't completely flawless. "Don't be ridiculous." He took his hand back and fished through his right pants pocket. "Here." He handed her a business card. "If you ever need anything, just give me a call, and I'd be glad to help."
"Um, thanks." She took the business card from him, but didn't look at it. "I, uh, really need to get back to work." She turned to the small girl in his arm. "It was nice meeting you, Ceecee. Maybe I'll see you in the store one day, and I can help you pick out a real nice coloring book."
She turned to leave, and heard Ceecee wish her goodbye. Once she was out of sight of the two men, she crumpled up the business card and threw it in the trash. Whoever that guy was, she highly doubted he actually wanted her calling in any favors. Rich, businessmen like him didn't like to waste time with girls like her. And if they did, there was always a catch. Raphael had definitely taught her that.
The walk back to Bane's was a lot faster than the walk to the security office had been. However, she was surprised to see Magnus standing behind the register instead of Maia when she got back. His black hair was spiked up, and the tips were now dyed a vibrant blue. He was wearing a satin red button down and tight black skinny jeans.
"Hey, Magnus," she greeted. "Where's Maia?"
"I sent her home early," he said, his cat like eyes meeting her emerald ones. "I was hoping to talk to you."
Clary's stomached dropped. Was she in trouble. "O-Okay."
"I know you're in an especially tight situation financially, so I wanted to tell you before anyone else so you could get a head start, but I'm going to have to sell the store. It's just not bringing in enough money, and I really can't afford to keep the place running."
Clary's eyes widened, and she felt the panic begin to set in. "How long until you sell it?" she asked, her voice barley above a whisper.
"About a month. I'm really sorry, Clary, but you need to start looking for other employment."
Later that night, Clary sat across from Simon and Izzy at a table in Takis. It was a tradition for them to go to the diner every Wednesday night, and tonight was no exception, even though Clary was unsure if she would be able to afford the weekly dinners much longer. Izzy was talking excitedly about a new shipment of clothes that would be coming in next week to the high end boutique she worked at. Clary nodded along, not really paying attention to what was being said. She was staring down at her plate, pushing the food around absent-mindedly.
"Are you okay, Clare?" Simon asked, noticing her dejected mood.
She shrugged in response, looking up at them. "Magnus is selling the store."
"Shit," he sighed. "You're going to be out of a job?"
Clary nodded. Simon and Izzy knew she was struggling, but they didn't know just how badly. She never let them know, not wanting their handouts. "I don't have a lot of time to find a new one."
Simon touched a finger to his chin. "You know, Pandemonium is hiring right now."
Clary scoffed. Pandemonium was the club Simon worked security at, and it catered to a higher-class clientele. It was a place for New York's rich and famous to be able to hang out without worrying about being interrupted by mere mortals. "I'm not stripping, Simon."
He laughed at her. "No, no. It's a server's position. Someone just quit, and they need to fill the spot ASAP. In fact, you can with me to work after dinner and I can introduce you to the owner."
Clary hated it when her friends took pity on her and went out of their way to help her, but she wasn't exactly in a position to refuse right now. "Thanks, Simon." She forced a smile. "I really appreciate it."
"And if you don't want to work in some dingy club," Izzy butted in, "Alec's friend is looking for a nanny. I can get you in contact with him."
"A nanny?" Clary asked, incredulously.
"Hey, don't knock it just yet. Jace has been having a rough time finding a replacement for his old one. Plus he pays really well, and it's a live in position. You could be living in a nice pent house instead of that shit hole you call an apartment."
Clary rolled her eyes at her best friend. Izzy came from money, and didn't really know what it was like to struggle. She thought Clary was living in a seedy part of the city in a run down apartment because she wanted to. But to be honest, getting out of that apartment sounded great. However, she didn't feel very qualified to be a nanny. It couldn't hurt to apply, though, could it?
"That'd be great, Iz."
Izzy smiled and clapped her hands. "Great. I'll call Jace when I get home and get you an interview."
They all finished eating, chatting about nothing in particular. When it was time to leave, Izzy said she was going straight home because she had to be at the boutique early the next day to open up. She kissed Simon goodbye and gave Clary a hug before disappearing.
Clary pulled on her coat before following Simon out of Takis. Even though it was August, the air still got chilly at night, and she shivered slightly as they stepped outside. Simon started off down the sidewalk with Clary in step next to him.
"How are you really doing?" he asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Clary groaned at him. "I'm fine. I promise."
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark-wash jeans. "You know Iz and I are always here for you right? Even if all you need is a place to stay."
"I told you I'm fine." Her tone was harsher than she meant it to be. "But I know. And I appreciate it," she said, her tone softer.
"Just don't be afraid to ask," he said as he turned down an alley leading to Pandemonium.
Clary could hear music blaring from inside the building before Simon even reached the employee entrance door. He typed a code into a keypad on the handle, and opened the door, motioning for Clary to enter before him. Clary had never been inside Pandemonium before, and was surprised to find it looked like any other club. There were booths and tables set up all over the place. There was a bar against the far wall and a dance floor in the middle. A few of the booths had stripper poles in the middle of the tables, and there were a few private rooms lining the wall opposite the bar. The club didn't appear to be too busy, though, but she figured that shouldn't be surprising for a Wednesday.
"Come on," Simon said, taking Clary's hand and leading her to the back of the club, past the bar.
He knocked on a door marked "Office," and a gruff voice told them to enter. Simon pushed the door open, and they walked in. Siting behind a wooden desk was a beast of a man. Clary could already tell he must be extremely tall, and he was still sitting down. He was well built, and Clary could see very defined muscles through his tight fitting black t-shirt. His brown hair was short, and there was a large scar on his right cheek.
"Hey, Bat," Simon said, "this is Clary. I was thinking she could take the open server's position."
Bat turned to look at Clary, his brown eyes scrutinizing her appearance. "We don't have a redhead on staff," he said thoughtfully. "That might be a nice touch. Do you have any experience."
"I, uh, used to wait tables through high school and college," she said, wringing her hands in front of her.
"That's more than most of the girls who have applied. Do you have a problem with the uniform?"
Clary gave him a confused look, and he reached into a desk drawer before throwing two pieces of clothing on the desk. She walked over and picked them up. In her hands were an extremely short pair of black leather shorts and a black crop top.
"I guess not," she responded. It definitely wasn't something she would normally wear, but if it meant getting a job she'd do it.
"And you're vouching for her, Lewis?" he asked, turning to Simon and raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, sir."
He looked back at Clary. "Alright. Go put that on. You're starting now. Helen will train you, and you can fill out the paperwork tomorrow."
Clary looked at him in shock. "Really?"
"Yes. Now go." He made a shooing gesture with his hands, and Simon and Clary immediately exited the office.
"Thank you thank you thank you!" she yelled, hugging Simon once they were in the hallway.
"Not a problem. Anything for you, Fray. Go change," he pointed to a bathroom, "and I'll introduce you to Helen."
She couldn't wipe the smile from her face. The amount of relief she felt at finding a new job was indescribable. And, she was going to be making two incomes for the next month. That would help her to save up a little emergency fund money.
As she was walking into the bathroom, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out to see a text from Izzy. Interview with Jace tomorrow at noon. She had attached directions to the location.
Even with just getting hired at Pandemonium, she figured she'd go to that interview the next day, too. The nanny job would definitely pay better than a server's job. She had a feeling her luck was finally starting to turn around.