AN: Hey guys, this is a new story that I've decided to base off of the book 'Perfect Opposite' by Zoya Tessi. I disclaim any rights to her book and the MI characters. Don't forget to drop me a review and enjoy ;)
I've always been one of those girls that can blend in to the background, no matter where I am. Despite my fiery red hair, my petite frame and lack of height definitely helps me disappear in a crowded room. Being invisible is what one may call 'both a blessing and a curse'. The pros – nobody ever hassles you or wants to start drama with you, the cons – you're never hassled and you never have any drama in your life. I know, I know, what I'm saying doesn't really make sense, but in my mind it does. To explain in more relatable terms, normal people have a little spice to their lives, regardless of whether said spice is good or bad. But me? I'm missing that spice, I'm just... flavourless. You may as well call me Clary 'no flavour' Fray. In my life, there are just a few dashes of chilli and pepper here and there, in the form of my best friends Simon and Isabelle. Don't get me wrong, this is what I want, a simple life with simple friends in a simple city. Not only is this what I want, but it's what I need, especially after a childhood like mine. It's just a little boring is all. Then again, with luck like mine, I shouldn't complain.
One of my most common and mundane hobbies is hanging out at the coffee shop that Simon works in, Java Jones, which is exactly what I am doing right now. Sipping on my steaming mocha and snuggling into the cosy loveseat, I hear my phone ring. Looking at the screen, I see and unknown number, which in my experience can only mean one thing.
"Hello?" I say the word as if it's a question.
"Clarissa, it's nice to hear your voice again," the smooth voice replies.
"I would say the same, but then I'd be lying," I remark.
"Tut tut Clarissa, is that any way to talk to your family?"
"Stop patronizing me!" I screech, yet nobody takes any notice in the packed shop. (I told you being invisible could come in handy.)
A deep sigh sounds on the other line, then, "I need to meet you. It's important."
Knowing I don't have a choice, I ask, "Where?"
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
A half hour later I was situated on a small bench in Central Park, watching as the man I grew up with walked towards me with great purpose.
Regarding him with careful eyes, I ask, "Why am I here Valentine?"
Rolling his eyes, he scolds me, saying, "We've been over this. I am your father, so you call me father."
"Okay father," I exaggerate on the word 'father' knowing it will annoy him. "Would you please care to explain to me why I am sat here freezing my butt of in November in New York, when you could have just told me over the phone?"
Putting on a serious expression, he starts, "Well darling, you know how in my line of work, safety isn't always a given. Well, my partner Lucian, his car was bombed...and now he's angry...at me."
Confused, I asked, "You didn't do it right? And how can he even be angry? Surely he's dead!"
"He wasn't in the car at the time of the explosion, his daughter was. And of course I didn't do it, but he thinks I did, so this puts you in a lot of danger."
"Wait, why would I be in danger?"
"He thinks I killed his daughter, and in this business, you avenge those who have been lost. His girl is gone, and in his eyes, to make things equal again, you have to be killed," he explained, as if this should be obvious. Seeing my face, white as a sheet of ice, he added, "For this reason, I've decided that you need a bodyguard."
Feeling shocked and angry at the idea of having a big, burly guy following me around all the time, I protested, "No! No freaking way! No! You can't do this to me again. Are you trying to ruin my life? I got away from this. I didn't want in on the family business, so I built a new life. I've changed my name, I'm safe. I don't need a bodyguard!"
Looking tired out, my father responded, "This is not negotiable Clarissa. It's either a bodyguard, or you come back home with me until this danger is over."
Knowing that there was no way I was about to win, I said, "Fine...but I want Magnus."
Looking incredulous, Valentine exclaimed, "Magnus! You want an old man to be your bodyguard? No way!" Magnus practically brought me up back home, looking after me when my father was too busy with his clients to come and see his daughter.
"I want Magnus," I repeated stubbornly.
Rolling his eyes, he whipped out his phone and dialled a number. Speaking quietly into the phone, the only words I could decipher were 'bodyguard', 'your duty' and 'double pay'. Then I heard a raised voice cursing on the other end of the line, which definitely surprised me since barely anyone got away with shouting at Valentine and living to see the next day.
Finally, once Valentine had hung up, he met my eyes and said, "I will be at your apartment on Saturday with your new bodyguard at 2.00. Remember Clarissa, it's this or back home. Your decision." Without another word, he turned and left me sitting there, not even leaving a 'goodbye' or 'I love you' in his wake.
Great! Today was Thursday, so I had one more day before my life got turned upside down. I guess changing my last name from Morgenstern to Fray would never really change who I was inside. The daughter of a Russian mobster. And not just any Russian mobster...we're talking Valentine Morgenstern, head of everything mafia related in that god awful country. Then again, it wasn't Russia's fault that a drug smuggling, arms weapon dealing man was ruling and corrupting a handful of its otherwise peaceful streets.
I could only pray that my father and this new bodyguard were not about to completely ruin my simple and flavourless life I'd so delicately built here in New York. Then again, God never seemed to listen to me, so why would he start now?
AN: So I hoped you guys liked this first chapter. I promise that Jace will be appearing in the next chapter and all the rest after that ;) Please drop me a review to let me know if you liked this, if I should carry on, any general feedback! Anyway, I'll see you when I see you ~XOXO
