I don't own Mortal Instruments Cassandra Clare does.
I just love the characters especially Jace, Clary (Clace), Simon, Isabelle (Sizzy) and as well as Magnus and Alec (Malec).
I am inspired to incorporate the characters into stories I have on my mind.
CHAPTER 1
Jace looked at the lady sitting beside him. He studied her face well, and despite his familiarity and closeness to her, all he can feel was distance. He knew things had never been the same to him. His consciousness wondered again, drifting on memories that he shrugged off. Aline Penhallow's eyes shined, the corner of her eyes crinkled. She's laughing about something her friend, Camille Belcourt mentioned.
"Earth to Jace!" she suddenly snapped. Her expression changed. She looked quizzically at Jace.
"I'm sorry, were you saying something?" Jace asked.
"Our friend Camille here was asking why she isn't seeing a diamond ring on my finger." She stated while showing her ring finger to him.
Jace became uncomfortable. He and Aline had been together for almost 3 years. Their friends had been teasing them about getting engaged or planning on getting married soon. Sure thing, she has been his first serious relationship, and before Aline he didn't want to have a steady one.
"That's something that I should really plan about." He replied trying to give a little humor in his tone. He took the glass of fresh lemon tea and sipped trying to look engaged in the conversation.
"What's to plan Jace? You are already stable. You have been with our gorgeous darling here, and many of us are already waiting for the wedding bells!" Camille explained rolling her eyes and gesturing at Aline.
"Hey, stop it Camille! Jace and I are not rushing things, right sweetie?" Aline said her voice sweet. She wrapped her arms around Jace. She gazed at him and she smiled sweetly.
Jace looked at her. He tried his best to smile and replied, "Yes." She slowly loosened her arms around him and placed her hands on her lap.
Aline's smile faded. She looked straight ahead and stared blankly at the counter behind Camille. She noticed something different with Jace. She doesn't want to feel that he's being distant but based on his actuations, that was the message he had been sending her. She felt like he was slipping away little by little. Dread crept through her. After Jace's trip from California which was roughly 2 weeks ago, he started acting more differently than before. The Jace she knew was passionately and warmly in love with her. He used to be romantic that made her feel like she's the most important person in the world. She knew that she had done enough damage to their relationship when she disregarded Jace. He treated him badly then, when she thought that her ex-boyfriend Meliorn was trying to win her back. But she couldn't drop Jace like that. She couldn't afford to lose him. He had been her trophy. She was able to resolve whatever issue on her feelings for the both of them. Good thing it was early for Meliorn to tell her that he's happy for her, and was planning to marry her current girlfriend. She was able to do a damage control. She was able to win Jace back. It was 7 months ago when that happened and the first few months were okay for the both of them. But the latter months after, he seemed to change little by little. She tried to talk to him and tell him how she felt, but it there's no appropriate timing for her to do that. She was somehow afraid of a confrontation with him and where it will lead to. Whenever they meet or even hanging out at his place he's always distracted. He couldn't focus on her and he's like drawn to something else.
Jace reached for his iPhone and iPad. Aline straightened on her chair. He leaned on his left slightly away from her while sending message on his iPhone. She raised an eyebrow at Jace silently giving him acurious look, switching from his face and to the gadget that he was holding. She was wondering to whom he was sending message to and why does he need to put a little distance from her.
Jace pushed his drink aside. "Sorry but I need to meet Alec," he said standing from his seat. He looked at Aline and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Sorry sweetie, I hope you don't mind I need to talk to Alec. It's about work. I'll make it up to you later." He sounded defensive.
Aline nodded and sighed. She forced a smile at Jace. He waved his hand at Camille and Aline and stepped out of the café.
xxxxxxxxxx
A month and a half ago…
Jace was waiting for his Mocha Frap from Starbucks. After the barista handed him his order, he immediately headed towards the door. It was a little sunny late afternoon in Los Angeles and he enjoyed walking. He was planning to go to drop by at one of their hotel resorts nearby for a swim and to relax. This was a business slash leisure trip and he just wanted to spend his free time alone. Alec will be following after a week.
He went to the parking area where he left his Camaro. He went inside and started to drive. He passed from street to street thinking of a lot of things. He suddenly saw someone, a lady beside a white Corolla. He noticed that the car's hood was up. She's shaking her head, her hair fiery red curls blown by the wind. He slowed down and sneaked a glance at her, wondering what happened to her car. He pulled over, he went out, and headed towards the lady and her car.
"Is there something I can help you with that?" He asked, gesturing at the car, tilting his face a little so that he can see her face. He was almost towering her and she was just up to his shoulder.
She suddenly faced him and let out a sigh of relief. Jace stared at her, looking at her distinct emerald green eyes. He suddenly broke his eye contact when she spoke.
"Uhm, my car broke down and I need to hurry up. I have a meeting with one of my clients. I didn't know what's wrong. Guess I have to call someone to have my car off the road." She replied frustration visible in her tone. She was breathing hard, looking nervous. She kept on glancing at her watch. She opened her car door and got her bag and pieces of envelopes.
Jace leaned on her car while looking at her, waiting for her to be done getting the things she needed from her car.
"If you like, I can drop you off to where you are heading. " He offered. Darn, I was offering her a ride and I don't even know her name. He muttered to himself. He couldn't understand why he suddenly became helpful, but something inside him told him not to leave her there.
"That would be too much and it's going to be inconvenient for you. I can wait for a cab here and call the company who can take off my car." She replied.
She looked a little shy and had this nervous smile on her face. She's juggling the envelopes on her arm while brushing a few strands of her red hair from her face.
Jace would want to reach out to brush them off himself but he stopped himself. Get a grip, he scolded himself. He reached out his hand and motioned to help her with the envelopes in her hand. She gave him a small smile and handed the envelopes to him.
"No, no, it's okay. I don't have anywhere to go to. Besides, it's getting dark now and you really look like you're in a hurry. You might be late for your appointment," Jace said quickly.
The lady looked at him and smiled shyly. "Alright, if you insist. Thanks."
He went towards the passenger side and opened the door. He waited for her to get inside. Once she was settled in, he handed her the envelopes and closed the door gently. After getting in the car, he turned his face towards her and looked at her.
"Sorry, I wasn't able to get your name. I am Jace." He smiled at her.
"Yeah, my name's Clary." She replied holding out her hand so that Jace can shake it.
"Nice to meet you Clary," He said and shook her hand. He suddenly shivered and it took a few seconds more before he let go.
"You too," she shyly replied. Both of the stayed silent for a few minutes until Jace spoke.
"Where are you heading?" He asked calmly looking intently at Clary.
"Hatfield's, I am going to meet my client there at 7pm." She casually answered.
She was fishing for something in her bag. She brought out her cellphone. Jace heard her calling someone to have her car repaired and taken off the road. Before she can put it back inside her bag, it suddenly rang. She looked at the screen and frowned. Jace was giving her a little side looks while the traffic light was on red.
Why was she frowning? He wondered. Clary just let the cellphone rang until it stopped. She was dialing on her phone and pressed it on her ear.
"Hi! Mr. Aldertree, yeah I am on my way there. I have the files with me. Yeah, be there before 7. My car broke down. I am okay. Yes, thank you." Then she hung up.
Clary glanced at Jace. When he caught her looking at him she smiled shyly and looked down. She's pretty, really pretty, he said to himself. He looked straight trying to brush off the weird feeling forming inside of him. He focused his attention on the road, on the streets they passed on, and not to the pretty little red head beside him. Whoa Jace! You are just trying to help. You'll just see her now and after she goes, you'll probably never see her again. And something hit him. You're still with someone and she's in New York now! He scolded himself.
Stop it Jace! Why were you thinking that? You just helped Clary and just acknowledged that she's pretty, it doesn't mean you're cheating on Aline. Something inside him battled with his previous thought.
They were almost at the restaurant where Clary needed to go.
"I think I can manage from here. Thanks Jace. Sorry for the hassle." She's getting some money from her purse.
Jace was able to comprehend what she was trying to do. He looked amused.
"It's okay, you don't need to give me bucks. I willingly offered you a ride." He said giving her a reassuring smile.
Clary fished the money inside her purse.
"Thanks again Jace. Take care!" She gave him a smile, which Jace thought was really charming.
"You too Clary," he said and waved his hand. He widened his smile and Clary gave him a nod and smiled a little and walked towards the restaurant.
Jace drove ahead, smile still visible on his face. He stopped and looked back checking if Clary went inside already. He didn't see her walking anymore. Something pricked inside him. He stopped and parked for a at the side of the road for a while both hands on his lap. He wasn't able to get her number and he knew that he wasn't supposed to be doing so. He was contemplating on what happened to him helping Clary and the effect that she had on him.
Hey, what's that about? He asked himself. Feeling stunned, he started his car engine. He needed a distraction from the encounter he had with Clary. He's going to the beach.
*end of flashback*
A/N
This is the first time for me to write a fan fiction for Mortal Instruments. Please bear with me, and hopefully you will like my story. Thanks!
