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Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Instruments.
Come home, come home. Cause I've been waiting for you for so long, for so long.
And right now there's a war between the vanities, but all I see is you and me—
"Hello?" Clary answered as she sleepily rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning, Clarissa. Or should I say, afternoon?" Valentine Morgenstern replied coolly.
"Was there a reason you were calling, Father?" Clary said, hurrying out of bed, grabbing her work clothes on her way.
"You know we have our Labor Day picnic every year. Your mother would like you to come." Valentine said. "Would you like to use the private jet?"
She felt the cheeks flush angrily. "And you know I don't like using money like it grows on trees. I appreciate the offer, Father, but when I said I was going to make it on my own, I meant it."
"You're being highly unreasonable, Clarissa." He insisted.
"I'll be at the picnic. And I'll be flying with Southwest Airlines and not the private jet." She said, and before he could start protesting, she added, "Oh, and expect an extra person."
"And who would that be? Isabelle Lightwood? I thought she was coming up anyway. The Lightwoods are invited this year, like always." He said, his steely voice sounding distracted.
"No, not Isabelle. The Waylands are invited, though, right?" Clary asked, throwing on high heels.
"Of course. The Waylands are one of our dearest friends, Clarissa." Valentine responded. "I have to go. What day do you expect to be flying in?"
"Probably September fourth." She replied. This gave her four days to get ready.
"Okay. Goodbye, Clarissa."
"Goodbye, Father—" She started, but he had already hung up.
Clary just sighed, used to this type of behavior from her father. He was a difficult man, but she knew that in his own way, he did love her. He just chose not to show it very often. Her mother, Jocelyn was always the more affectionate parent, and Clary was more like her, look wise and personality wise. Clary's brother, Jonathon, was more like her father, in both ways as well. Although Clary and Jonathon were complete opposites in every way possible, he still protected her fiercely and always been the big brother.
As she walked into the office, many people stared at her with open mouths, and when Clary glanced at them in confusion, they quickly blushed and went back to work. Perplexed, Clary entered her office. She had worked her way up in this office, although she was nowhere near to being "the boss". Although, she was high enough on the business ladder that she got her own office, for which she was grateful, even though it was tiny. Isabelle Lightwood sat at her desk, with an amused expression on her face.
"Why was everyone staring at me?" Clary asked, shutting the door quietly behind her.
"Maybe it's because you're wearing a twelve hundred dollar engagement ring on your finger." Isabelle said, totally at ease as she twirled a pencil with her fingers.
"Please." Clary snorted. "Is it so hard to believe that I actually have a boyfriend?"
"Yes." Isabelle said. "But it's not like he's technically your boyfriend. It's fake. So, technically, you don't have a boyfriend."
"But they don't know that." Clary replied. "Get off of my desk chair. I've got work to do."
"You're right, you do." An eerily calm voice remarked.
"Imogene." Clary said, swallowing nervously as she turned to face the intimidating older woman.
"Tardiness is not accepted, Miss. Fray." She said, staring daggers at her.
"I know that, Imogene. It won't happen again." Clary said, already turning back to her workload, assuming her boss would leave.
"You've said that numerous times, Clarissa. And, don't think that I'm going to treat you special just because you're the famous Valentine Morgenstern's daughter." She said icily.
"I would hope you wouldn't treat me special." Clary said, meeting the older woman's glare. "Although, I must say, Kaelie Williams is tardy every day, and is not given half the hassle I am given."
"Miss. Williams is a very charming young woman, and as seeing she just started here, I'm giving her some time to adjust." Imogene replied with a look with enough venom to poison an elephant.
"She has been working here for two years. I think she's had plenty of time to adjust." Clary replied with just as much venom.
"If you're going to have that kind of an attitude with me, Clarissa, you are fired!" Imogene practically shouted.
"You don't have to fire me." Clary said strongly. "I quit."
"Clary.." Isabelle started.
"No, Isabelle. I'm sick of this bitch." Clary replied, not even looking at Isabelle.
Imogene gasped angrily. "You will not talk about me that way."
"Why not?" Clary just shrugged. "You're not my boss anymore, Imogene. I don't have to respect you."
Imogene just glared at her once more, then huffed angrily, and walked out of the room. Clary began packing up the few personal things she had in her office. She knew her decision had been a bit rash, but this had been boiling in her for a while. Imogene Herondale had always had a burning hatred for her father for some odd reason, and had always been incredibly unfair to Clary since she had started at the business that the older woman had created. For two years, and one year of internship, Clary had taken the poisonous glares and rude remarks in silence. But, today was just the wrong day for Imogene to push her.
"So, what the hell was that, Clary?" Isabelle's voice brought her back from her reverie.
"She pushed me." Clary replied simply, gathering up her belongings. "I'm just going to go back home. I'll see you later."
Clary walked out of the old stuffy building, and into the muggy New York air. Although it was September already, the air was still thick with humidity. And at noon, the air was especially unbearable. A horn honked at her, and she absentmindedly gave them the finger. She thought that had gotten rid of them, until the car pulled up beside her.
"Buzz off, jerk." Clary said, not even looking at the driver.
"Is that anyway to talk to your fiancée?"
Clary groaned. This really had to be the worst day ever. Looking up at the sky, she muttered. "What did I do?"
"Me." Jace said, smirking. "That's probably why you have such bad luck."
"Shut up. I'm really not in the mood right now." She practically growled at him, continuing to walk farther.
"You were in the mood two months ago."
That was the last straw. She turned to face him, eyes blazing. "Leave me the hell alone. I'm saying this for your own good, before I flip out, and end up killing you."
"You care about me? That's so sweet, Pippi." He replied. "Look, how about I take you to lunch? I'll tone down the douche, I swear."
Clary eyed him warily, weighing the pros and cons. The pros were getting to eat something, and probably good food, too. The cons were eating the food with Jace, and his sarcastic remarks. She was just about to start walking again, before her stomach rumbled hungrily.
"Looks like your stomach decided for you." Jace said with a grin.
Clary just rolled her eyes once more, before getting into the passenger seat next to him. He just glanced over at her, as if he were surprised that she got in the car, before he started up the engine again.
"So, where are we going?" Clary asked curiously.
"My favorite restaurant." Jace said mysteriously. "So, did you get fired?"
"No," Clary said indignantly. "I quit."
"Why?" Jace asked, looking over at her questionably.
"Imogene is a bitch." She said stiffly. Jace busted out laughing, causing her eyebrows to knit together in confusing. "What's so funny?"
"She's my aunt." Jace explained, still chortling.
She felt instant terror wash over her. "Shit. I didn't mean to—"
"No, it's okay." He said, still smiling. "She's like the devil incarnate."
"I thought that was you." Clary said sarcastically.
"Me? No, I'm the angel in the family." He replied, while pulling into a parking lot.
"Right." She snorted. "So, where are we?"
"The best undiscovered restaurant in New York City, Taki's." He explained, coming around to open her car door for her.
"How gentlemanly of you. I'm impressed." Clary admitted, stepping out of the car.
"I'm not an asshole all the time, you know." He teased. "Just ninety nine percent of the time."
Clary just laughed, and followed him into across the parking lot, into Taki's. The building was unmarked, a simply painted gray over the bricks. The only thing that gave it any recognition was the word "Taki's" on the glass door. Intrigued, Clary followed Jace into the restaurant, and was immediately enveloped in a delicious aroma. She sniffed appreciatively, and once again, her stomach growled ravenously.
"This smells delicious." Clary remarked, sliding into the booth across from Jace.
"I know." Jace said, grinning.
The waitress came over then, smiling seductively at Jace, and completely ignoring Clary. "What can I get you to drink, handsome?"
"I'll have a Coke. Clary?" He asked, looking over at her.
"I'll just have water." Clary ordered, glancing at the menu.
As Clary glanced over the menu, her eyes wandered over the menu to look at Jace. He was very handsome, she supposed. The only bad thing about him was that he already knew that, and practically shouted it to everyone he met. She studied him closely as his eyebrows knitted together, trying to decide what to order. Even doing the simplest of things, he looked gorgeous. Clary realized with a pang of jealousy. She just hoped that their child got his looks, but hopefully not his ego. She could only deal with one.
"Yes?" Jace said, his smile staring to rise.
"You have something on your face." Clary blurted out quickly, feeling her cheeks flush in embarrassment for being caught staring at him.
"I know I don't have any thing on my face." Jace said, meeting her eyes. "Reflective tables."
Clary glanced down, and soon realized, with a rush of idiocy, that the tables did have a mirror like surface. "Well, I wasn't looking at you."
"I do believe, Miss Fray that you were checking me out." He accused with a smirk. "Don't be embarrassed. If I were you, I'd check myself out, too."
She was saved from responding by the waitress coming back with their drinks. After ordering their food, Clary and Jace sat in awkward silence for a few moments. Clary sipped her water, looking everywhere but the boy in front of her. Jace just simply sat back with ease, watching her with an amused look on his face.
"Were you planning on going back home for Labor Day this year?" Clary asked, finally acknowledging him.
"No." Jace said. "Why, were you?"
"Well, I wasn't going to, but my mother and father are insisting, so I have to." She said, nervously playing with the string on her skirt.
"Have fun." Jace drawled slowly. "I'm sure the richest of the rich will be happy to see you."
"You're coming with me." She informed, meeting his eyes. "I need my fiancée with me."
"Ah, you finally admitted you need me. Well, then I'd be happy to, Clarissa." He said with a grin.
I know this chapter is a bit short, but it's all I could get out of my stupid head. Haha.
Anyway, reviews! I love them!
