"Wait. Wait." Clary huffs, and steps back from partner's arms. She bends at the waist, trying to catch her breath, glaring down as sweat drips to the floor by her feet. He turns off the music. "I don't think I can do this." It was bad enough to have Kaelie-a supposed arch nemesis from the 'By the Angel' video-openly laughing at Clary's lack of skill, but then having to stay later than the extras for more practice was the exhausting cherry on her shitfest sundae. "Tell me again, why did I take this damn job?" Her green eyes lift to meet the handsome brown skinned man, who is smiling happily. Is he sweating? Nope. Does he seem out of breath? Not at all. Again she scowls at his gleeful expression, and he sobers at her pessimism.
"Clarissa," her eyes shut, and she hums quietly from hearing him, with a slight accent, say her name, making her insides melt. Opening her lids, she meets his deep rich brown eyes, so sincere and comforting. This is why I haven't quit, she sighs. Because he is a great teacher, patient with her, and despite the stubbed toes and curses that fly seamlessly from her mouth, he believes she can do this. "You don't give yourself enough credit."
He grips her shoulders, leading her to stand erect, and her brows lifts sarcastically. Taking his bandana from a back pocket, he dabs at the dew on her forehead. "It's true. You have improved greatly since we had begun." Clary rolls her eyes, unable to fathom he has been paying attention. The only thing she can truly say she has taken from these practice sessions is new muscle pains. Two weeks of new exercises, lifts, and twirling has earned her more defined abdominals, arms, and legs. Sure, they are helpful when attempting to do the dance routine she is hired for, but she can't seem to nail the timing. Being chosen is a huge opportunity for the up and coming Devour clothing line coming to Fashion Week in a month's time. Raphael and her are supposed to be the dramatic opening.
Feeling the inadequacy flood her system, she sighs loudly. A firm tan finger lifts her face upward to see another comforting smile. "How about a break?" He asks smoothly, to which Clary answers with a matching grin. They don't change from their workout clothes, but grab jackets before jovially running to their secluded restaurant of choice. Just a few days ago, Clary shared one of her favorite places with him, so Raphael refuses to eat elsewhere. Taki's ruined shelter looms ahead, as Raphael quickens his pace, and Clary falls behind.
The previous exhaustion catches up with her, and Clary slows to a fast walk watching Raphael disappear around the crowd ahead. From the corner of her eye, familiar blonde hair makes her pause in front of the tiny electronic store, looking at the plasma screen. She involuntarily hopes it is the music video that Jace and herself had done, but it's the song he collaborated with CeCe. Immediately her feet begin to carry her away. Clary refuses to address why she has yet to watch the video or listen to the song. Deep within, she recognizes the taste of jealously, but moves along the sidewalk to Taki's to distract herself from further questioning it.
Raphael stands by the door, pretending to have been waiting for her for hours, casually leaning against the side. "What on earth took you so long?" he jokes. She teasingly slaps his well-built bicep and walks through the open door he's holding for her. "You know that this means you're buying again." Raphael states matter-of-factly. Clary nods once. She's all too aware of him making her run, to keep her on her toes, but mostly so he gets a free meal. He told her once that it's very competitive in the world of dance, there is not many that have job security. He hopes that choreographing and dancing this number will lead to another lucrative opportunity.
Taking their usual booth, Clary slides in next to the first dark tinted window. Upon seeing the inside, most are shell-shocked by the easy going, retro feel. The waitress kindly takes their drink orders. Raphael's cell phone dings with a text message. Clary kiddingly grabs it from him as he desperately tries to keep it in his hands, but fails. Clary does a double take when she see's Isabelle's name. "Why is my agent texting you?"
Before he could answer, the bell above the diner door tings, and she looks over his shoulder. A curse escapes her lips. "You have got to be kidding me," she whispers and she slides lower in her cushioned seat. With furrowed brows, Raphael takes the forgotten phone, sticking it into his jacket, and discreetly turns his head to see what has Clary shrinking.
Raphael doesn't recognize the blonde male, but he does smile knowingly at a crimson rock goddess. "CeCe." He calls and waves. The red head has an unsure look on her face until her eyes met his own. Quickly she walks to their table, her red talons wrapped around the blond man's arm, tugging him behind her.
"Raph," she breathes happily. "What are you doing at a dump like this?" CeCe's eyes drift to the child-like woman in front of him, causing Clary to sit straighter with her chin jutting out. "Christy, right?" CeCe asks with a small smile, a grin telling Raphael that she got the name wrong on purpose.
There is a grunt from the tall man behind her, but the Raphael is the one to correct her. CeCe waves her hand nonchalantly, and sits beside him, leaving the blond man standing at the corner of the table awkwardly. The waitress takes this moment to drop off drinks, and ask the newcomers for their orders. After she leaves, Clary takes a large gulp of her cola, completely ignoring the stares from the silent stranger standing. CeCe is digging through her purse at the moment, so Raphael smiles and introduces himself.
"Jace," the blond man offers unfriendly, eyes remaining on the very quiet Clary. Respectfully, Raphael motions for Jace to sit next to the object of his attention. Jace sits on the farthest end of the bench with his hands hidden under the table top.
No one currently talking makes the atmosphere rather unnerving for everyone besides the scarlet shifting through her bag. Raphael offers a topic, "So how do you two know each other?"
The blond man's eyes look to the side, meeting Clary's matching gaze, and both look away quickly. "Jace is the lead singer of 'By The Angel', and we're collaborating on a song together." CeCe answers, finally meeting Raphael's brown gaze. He is interested in the correlation between his friend and the blond man, but he can't deny that there is something more peculiar about the two sitting in front of him. "We're doing a few radio programs, promoting today. Magnus told Jace that he just had to take me to Taki's for lunch, although I don't understand the charm." Her pert nose scrunches up.
The dark red-haired beauty doesn't notice the fuming gaze from the others. "Well, you could always leave," Clary grumbles, and Jace tries to cover his laugh with a cough. Suddenly, they look at each other with genuine smiles, but it is short lived.
"What brings you here?" CeCe questions uninterested, still scornfully looking around the diner.
Raphael looks to the woman next to him. "Clary and I are preparing for a performance coming up, and this is our favorite lunch spot." He smiles at his dance partner sweetly, which she returns, unbeknownst of the heated gaze of the man next to her.
"I wasn't aware that you danced." Jace muttered loud enough to still be heard.
Clary frowns at him. "I danced in your music video."
"I don't remember much of the actual dancing," Jace responds huskily, holding her eyes, and she turns away to lean farther against the window. Raphael covers his lips to prevent the others from seeing his smile growing.
Lunch continues on in the same manner. Raph or CeCe trying to make conversation, and awkward, highly sexual tension filled moments between Clary and Jace.
"Ugh, I hope I never have to eat in that place again." CeCe brushes the imaginary cooties off her tight black skirt before walking out of Taki's. Jace is too lost in his own thoughts about the other redheaded girl to be amused by his partner's complaints. Vaguely he wonders why she didn't say anything about the song. She must now it's about her, he ponders. "Paparazzi, smile." He hears her whisper closely as she clings onto his left arm, as her lips trail his jaw to place a small kiss. Then she leads them both away from the restaurant to return to the agency, pretending not to notice the men following their false public display of affection.
During their brief walk, the overly chatty arm candy had started pressing buttons. "I don't see what Raphael sees in that small girl. She's good on the runway, I'll give her that, but an actress she is not. Plus, I saw that 'Hell on Heels' video, she had no moves. Luckily for her, all she had to do was look appealing, which was easy work because of Camille's makeup design."
Once in the safety of the agency doors, Jace rips his arm from CeCe's grasp, finding her constant babbling annoying. "Wait here," he growls as he rushes to Magnus' main office. Marching through the heavy black twin doors, he stands over Magnus, glaring at his boss and friend.
"You have a bad habit of coming in unannounced. Would it kill you to knock?" The man with signature cat like contacts loop up dully. Jace crosses his harms over his chest, throwing mental daggers at the man staring back unaffected. "Is there something you need, Blondie? Or do you just plan to skip the three 'o clock interview to stare at my handsome face? Because there might be some competition with Alec on that front."
Jace struggles slightly to keep his firm features. "CeCe and I went to Taki's, which was a horrible idea. We ran into Clary, who was with another man."
"And?" Magnus asks distractedly while checking his email on his phone.
Clenching his teeth, Jace continues. "The whole thing was awkward. CeCe was annoying, the man was nosy, and Clary treated me like the plague." Magnus meets his gaze questioningly. "My point is, it's unnatural to keep just 'coincidently' running into her. Of course this was just a passing thought before, but now I am sure that you are somehow behind this."
"Hmm."
"Hmm? That's all you have to say? You're not denying it?" Jace replies, frustrated.
Magnus relaxes against the back of his chair. "Are you insinuating that I would feel the need to interject myself in your love life? Or are you saying that you need help in that department?" He smiles proudly when Jace's eyes widen in shock. Confusion takes over Jace's features as he questions if he leapt to quickly to assume that Magnus isn't busy enough as to play matchmaker again. In the end his eyes narrow in suspicion but stays mute. "Well if that is all, then Ms. Queen and yourself have to get on your way to the next interview." His tan hand with sparkly royal blue polish waves Jace toward the door in finality.
Before Jace leaves, Magnus shares that they got a call for them to perform the new song at Fashion week. Jace groans as he leaves, then can hear Magnus chuckle behind the now closed doors. Sighing, he readies himself for the rest of the hectic day, and reminds himself to stay focused on the job. Not to think about how sexy Clary looked all disheveled. Her hair was in a messy bun, the sides falling in wisps around her small oval face. A small blush covered her creamy skin. Shaking his head slightly from his disobeying thoughts, he walks into the lobby to see CeCe scowling at her Bvlgari serpentine watch. "Let's go," he says surely and waits for her to take his arm possessively again before heading outside to the car.
A/N: I adore Magnus, so I added the last scene. Hope no one minds :)
Next chapter is what happens at the fashion show. Hints: Clary and Raphael's steamy performance, a serenade, and a love confession ;)
Among some writer's block, I was busy with the passing holidays and family issues. My mother just found at the end of last month that the cause of all her pain for the past year is a cluster of blood clots in her leg. Gratefully, it was found before something more tragic could have happened. So a very belated happy holidays to all of you, and I pray that you and your families to have a terrific New Year.