So I was aiming for a 24/11/2010 (that's dd/mm/yy) update – and I'm late (what a surprise! *rolls eyes*), but still here nonetheless! Happy reading, guys!

Previously in At Your Assistance

She seemed to contemplate it. And then, honestly, much to my surprise, she leant in and pressed her cute little lips against mine, as if she expected that it would just be a peck.

I turned my body and pulled her face to mine properly, moving my lips against hers. I just had to have more of her. She didn't resist in the slightest, instead wrapping her arms around my neck, one of her hands moving into my hair.

I broke our lips apart, though only for a moment, and pushed her back so that she was lying on her back and moved so that my calves pressed hers together. I leant over her and our lips met again, fast and furious.

JxC

Chapter SIX

Monday 13th December

I couldn't believe what I'd done on Saturday morning, some time after eleven. I had kissed my boss, Jace Wayland, firm on the mouth – on his fucking gorgeous lips. Truly, I'd been going for just a peck after he suggested that I kiss him to say thank you for saving me from what could have been one of the worst nights of my life. As well as the killer hangover that I was sure was supposed to follow; Magnus hadn't even had time to make me his special concoction for hangovers.

Though the main reason why Magnus hadn't had the time was because as soon as I had control of my mind, I'd gotten my little ass out of that building and run back home.

Now, it was Monday morning, and I had to get to work.

And just when I thought that kissing Jace Wayland was enough bad karma points for me…

One) I'd gotten my period sometime whilst I was sleeping. (The worst way ever to start any day, I was absolutely certain.)

Two) My car had broken down.

Three) My shower was only spouting cold water.

Oh, and I kissed my boss when I was hungover after going out clubbing with him, his best friend and his best friend's boyfriend – who also worked at the same building as me.

In short, sore stomach, crappy mood, I'd have to get the train to work, and I hadn't been able to soak in warm water to rid myself of the gross feeling that was left behind from my period.

Plus, Isabelle was totally pissed at me for ditching out on her shopping day.

Of course, I swore I would go next Saturday.

And she promised that she would help me buy some good clubbing dresses and shoes – because it was 'stupid' that Magnus had had to 'murder-slash-rape' one of my maxi dresses, which she'd apparently 'loved'. And I hadn't exactly told her about the kissing Jace Wayland part.

And I didn't plan on it.

I just hoped that Wayland hadn't told her.

JxC

I sent a text message to Wayland, telling him that I had become subject to the public transport system and that I would probably be late.

He called my mobile barely seconds after my text and told me to not bother getting on the train. "Meet me at the corner by the station in five, I'll pick you up."

Awkwardness.

To.

The.

Max.

I waited for a car to stop beside the road – since I had no idea what his car looked like. I just figured it would be expensive.

And how right I was.

I had no idea what make of car it was – and nor did I care to know – but it was black, shiny and new-looking. And when Wayland pushed the door open and smiled at me. I tried to smile back, but it felt so…so fake.

"You alright?" he said.

"Honestly, no."

I expected a 'How come?' and maybe I was stupid for wanting him to ask. Because he didn't ask. And I didn't say anymore; it was useless, when he obviously didn't care.

Just when we were pulling into the office car park, he finally spoke. "Why aren't you alright?"

"Because I've had the absolute crappiest morning, truly."

"A not working car tends to ruin a morning. Maybe we should ride to work together more often, save petrol."

I really didn't want to. But how could I pass up? Petrol was one of my biggest expenses. And it was going to cost a huge amount of money to even get my car fixed anyway, I was sure. "Maybe," I agreed as we got out of his car.

"It's still early," he said. And he was right, since I had left home early so that I wouldn't be too late to work. "Izzy's usually in by now, you could go and visit her. I want you at my office by half-past, though. Okay?"

"Um, sure. Thank you, Mr. Way—"

"Jace," he said. "I think we've been past formalities, Clary."

"Oh – well, yes." What with the puking, and the kissing, and the sleeping in the same bed.

JxC

I got off the elevator on the tenth floor and went looking for Isabelle's desk.

"Clarissa Fairchild!" she all but yelled before I'd even spotted her. "Get your skinny ass over here right this minute!"

I scurried over; I didn't want to make a scene, though a few other workers were already staring.

"You're here hell early, you know," she said, more quietly now. "Did you get a lift or something? I got your text. I was worried. The subway can be killer in the morning!"

"I'm sorry," I told her, stealing someone's spinny chair and wheeling it over, I sat down, stretching out my legs. "I got a lift, yeah."

"I'm glad. I swear there are rapists and murderers that just live on those trains, waiting for beautiful girls to abduct." I didn't quite know what to say to that, so I just stared at nothing. "So," she said, and I turned my attention to her. "Who'd you get a lift with?"

"Um, just a –" friend, my ass! "– well, Jace."

Her face scrunched up. "I hate riding with him – I've done it often enough, too! He doesn't talk, at all. It annoys me so much! I mean, he doesn't even turn the radio on or music or anything. It's silence, apart from the sounds of the city."

"I didn't really notice," I told her. It was true, I hadn't.

We chatted away for another fifteen minutes until it was almost half-past when I announced that I should probably head up to my floor.

She scowled. "Jace won't care that much. It's just me, after all."

"Yeah, but he told me to be up there at eight-thirty. I think he wants me to do some work."

"Work schmerk," she told me. "I never do any."

"Really?" I said, trying to raise an eyebrow. "I never would have guessed." I smiled at her sweetly. "Anyway I really should be going. I'll see you at lunchtime, maybe?"

"Yeah, of course, Clary."

JxC

"Clary, could you come in here please?" I got up from my desk and walked into his office, only to see a shirtless man standing beside Wayland's desk – it took me a beat too long to realise that it was made of cardboard. "Don't stare," he told me. "And you could make me a coffee."

"Of course, Mr. – uh, Jace." I headed over to the coffee machine and did as I was told before turning back to face him and the cardboard cut-out man – who was hot by the way.

"This is one of our models," he said, running his finger over the edge of the cardboard, admiring his work. Work, work, work. It's work not just some super hot cardboard cut-out of a guy in Wayland's office.

"Really," I said, though I thought it was obvious. "Which campaign is he in?"

"He's currently the face of our Men range." I knew the slogan; I'd heard it so many times on the television at my mother's house, Men. For men. Made by men, but in a really manly voiceover.

The machine dinged and I took Wayland his coffee. "Here you go."

"Jace," he said. "I have a name, you know, Clary."

"Sorry, Jace. It's just weird."

He sighed.

"Was there anything else I could do?"

"Could you call Aline up here for me," he said, looking bored. "I have to talk to her."

"Right away, Jace."

And I realised that calling him by his first name made me feel like I was his personal slave, not his personal assistant.

"Oh, and one last thing? Pick up my dry-cleaning? The address and order number are in an email I sent you just a minute ago."

JxC

When Aline finally arrived at the 39th floor, I watched her strut over to Jace's office before grinning at me and walking in.

I watched my screensaver play until I heard the doors start to rattle a little.

I almost stood up to go and see what was happening, but then I realised that I probably didn't want to know.

A.K.A. they were probably having sex. Up against the door. Lovely.

I decided that I would take the moment to go and find Simon's desk, since Jace probably wouldn't need my assistance – or slavery – anytime soon.

It took me a while, and a flight of stairs, before I actually found out what Simon did in this building.

"Ah," Simon smiled when he spotted me. "A surprise visit, hey?" he stood up and hugged me as I approached.

"I didn't realise you worked in the I.T. department."

"Well, I do," he sat back down in his spinny chair and glanced over the top of his cubicle to an office. I sat on the edge of his desk, feeling much more content here than I had been moments ago. "So what brings you down here?"

I groaned. "You don't even wanna know, trust me."

"Ah," he said. "I get it." I nodded and covered my face with my hands. "Aline?" I nodded again.

"He even asked me to call her up and everything!"

"Mr. Lewis," a voice boomed. "Is that you I see not doing work?"

"Uh-oh," I said, smiling. "I suppose I should head up and not get you into trouble, hey. I'd ask you to hang out at lunch, but I'm already going out with Isabelle."

"Isabelle Lightwood?" Simon asked under his breath.

"Um, yeah. Why?"

"God," he said.

"Mr. Lewis!"

"I'll tell you later, alright? Call me or something."

"Sure thing," I said, scurrying past all ten of the I.T. guys and back up the emergency stairwell to my desk.

I thought about knocking on the door, which had now quieted, but I decided I should probably wait at least fifteen minutes. I headed to the bathroom, instead.

As soon as I stepped inside a glowing Aline Penhallow, who looked a tiny bit teary-eyed, greeted my eyes. Tears of happiness, perhaps?

"Miss Fairchild," she said, "you'd disappeared when I came out."

"I remembered that I had something to do," I said. "I'd been having some trouble with one of my thumbdrives. I took it downstairs to get it fixed." Total lie, of course.

"Oh really," she said, looking in the mirror and fixing up her lipstick.

I went into a cubicle and listened to the stupid noises that she made as soon put on her make-up. When I came out, I washed my hands and asked her if Jace was going to be presentable.

And what did she say, but: "Fairchild, Jace is always presentable."

I walked out, calm as you please, and then stalked to my desk, muttering, "God, what a slut," under my breath as I sat down.

Tempting as it was to just barge into Wayland's office, to see his bare chest again at least, I decided that that wasn't quite employee standard behaviour.

But then again, neither was having sex with the CEO of a major corporation when you're only a front desk lady. Or any employee for that matter.

I stood up and knocked on the door before entering.

Wayland was stretched out on the couch, his shirt completely unbuttoned and his pants barely on, the fly and button undone, looking totally sexually-sated, and then surprised as he realised it was me. "I suppose I should've known," he said, sitting up straight and doing up the buttons on his shirt. "Aline wouldn't have knocked."

"Yes, well. I just wanted to check that everything was okay."

"It was sex," he said. "And Aline is damn fine."

Too. Much. Information!* "Right, um. I was hoping that I would be able to take my lunch now. Isabelle and I were going to meet."

"I was planning on having lunch with you," he said, standing and doing up his pants. "But I guess I can have lunch with Aline instead."

"If you really want me to –"

"No, I'm good, thank you. Now leave me alone, take your lunch. Whatever."

"Thanks, Jace." I gave him a smile before heading out and grabbing my bag.

JxC

"Oh, Izzy," I said, as soon as I met her, finding her eyes tear-red, and her cheeks blotchy in the female bathroom on her floor – it did take me much searching. I wrapped my arms around her and smoothed my hand up and down her back, knowing that the action usually calmed me down a bit, if nothing else.

"Clary!" she cried. "He – he dumped me!"

"Who did?" I asked quietly, having near to no recollection of her ever mentioning a boyfriend.

"Meliorn!" she whimpered, pressing her face into my jacket.

"Hey, um. Do you want to go and get some comfort food? Chocolate cake or something?"

The idea seemed to cheer her up a whole lot. She pulled away from my hug and wiped her eyes. "Just give me a minute to fix my make-up."

When we got down to the closest McDonalds, Isabelle's favorite comfort food, a guilty pleasure, though she felt horrible afterwards.

She laughed aloud, hysterical, "Meliorn is such a stupid name!"

"It sure is," I said, smiling.

She took a tiny bite out of her Grand Angus and set it down on the paper wrapping. "You know, Clary," she said. "You and Jace would be, like, perfect together."

"What? No no no no no no no! No. Izzy, Jace is my boss."

"Jace is everybody's boss, Clary."

I let her cool logic sink into my brain.

Then she added: "Because I heard about Saturday morning."

I covered my face with my palms. "That blabbing idiot!"

Izzy laughed. "It seems your problems may well be larger than mine."

"I'm glad my problems entertain you, Miss Lightwood."

"Well, Miss Fairchild. That's life. You're doing a good job of distracting me."

"That's alright," I told her.

She sighed and nibbled on a chip. "Oh, Clary."

Maybe, I realised, probably a few beats too late, I should have been disgusted that Jace kissed me and was having sex with his not-quite-girlfriend barely two days later… Maybe I was disgusted.

"You okay there, Clary?"

"Huh? Just thinking."

"About our Jacey-Wacey?"

I shot her a look and she grinned.

"I was right! I was right!" She smiled wider, if that were even possible. "What about him? Is this about that ki—"

"Shhhh! We do not need random people knowing about this!"

"Whatever," she said with a wave of her hand.

"Plus," I said, adding further, possibly digging my hole deeper. "I wasn't thinking straight, I was hungover."

"You know what I think?" I shook my head. I wasn't a fucking mind reader. "I think that when you're drunk-slash-hungover, you're – and I mean everybody here – more yourself, like you let your guards down and stuff happens that wouldn't normally in real life if you were everything you wanted to be, I guess."

I smiled, and failed at raising an eyebrow, "That's pretty deep."

"Uh-huh. But it means that you secretly wanted to kiss Jace, whether it was conscious or subconscious."

I frowned; that couldn't possibly be true. Sure, Wayland was attractive as the sun is hot, but he was one of the most annoying, arrogant people I'd ever met.

JxC

When I arrived back at work, Aline wasn't glowing as much as she had been in the bathroom – maybe it'd been the lights? – so I walked up to her, smiling.

"Hello Miss Penhallow, how's life treatin' ya?"

She scowled, which I assumed meant that something hadn't quite gone her way. "Mr. Wayland," she told me, "said that this morning's escapade would be our last. Over the telephone, Fairchild! Over the fucking telephone!"

I would've laughed, but she actually seemed to distressed, I couldn't help but offer words of should-be comfort. "I'm sure you'll find someone better than him. I heard that Sebastian Verlac in Communications was available. He's pretty good-looking."

She snuffled. "I didn't know he was. Available, that is."

"Well, that's what I heard," I said, before walking up to the elevators.

I pressed the button and waited, only to find none other than, Sebastian Verlac standing beside me.

It was true, what Isabelle had said, he was good-looking. His looks rivaled Jace's, he could have been one of the company's models if he so chose, I was certain.

When the elevator dinged at us, he held his arm out, gesturing for me to walk in first.

"What floor?" I said as the doors closed.

"Twenty-two," he told me. "I'm Sebastian Verlac, by the way. You must be Clarissa Fairchild."

"God, has Mr. Wayland been spreading my photo around the building or something?" I muttered, mostly to myself, as I pressed in 22 and 39.

"Not quite," Sebastian Verlac said, "but Aline was demoted, and the whole building knows your name. Then there's the fact that we haven't hired anyone new in about two months. So it's kind of easy to spot you, I mean, who wouldn't've noticed you before today? You stand out like a red poppy in a field of grass."

"Oh," I said. Was that a compliment?

"'Oh,'" he said, mimicking me. "I can't believe you told Penhallow that was I available! I don't want to go out with her, let alone have sex with her – which is all she's ever after."

"I'm sorry," I said, feeling my face contort. I noticed we were only a few floors away from his.

"Oh well, it can't be helped. That Isabelle Lightwood is a sticky-beak – oh, here's my floor. I'll email you, okay?"

By the time his words had sunken into my mind, the doors were closing. And I had nineteen more floors to think about what exactly he'd said.

I sat down at my desk, concentrating on smoothing out every movement that I made – just for something to do, since Wayland probably didn't need me this exact—

My phone rang, the noise shrill, causing me to jump.

It was an outside number.

I picked up the phone, "Hello, Miss Fairchild speaking."

"Miss Fairchild?" a feminine voice said, "not Miss Penhallow?"

"No, ma'am. May I ask who you are?"

"Mrs. Herondale," she said. "Where is Aline?"

"Aline is working the –" my phone call was cut short, as Jace pressed one of those weird buttons on his phone and took my call for me.

"Fine then," I muttered to myself, watching my phone, waiting for Wayland to finish talking to Mrs. Herondale. Pfft.

Then I remembered that Sebastian Verlac had said he would email me.

I checked my email, only to find about ten unread ones, which I spent the next half an hour replying to and-slash-or deleting them.

My phone beeped – finally, oh my God – to say that the call was finished.

I stood up, feeling the determination in my step as I walked towards Wayland's office door.

I didn't knock, I just opened the door, feeling it swing underneath my hands.

"Hey there. What's got your knickers in a knot?"

"Was I not doing a good enough job, answering your calls? Just because this is only my eleventh day working for you does not mean that I am incapable of –"

"Clary," he said, interrupting my rant. "Imogen Herondale is a…personal friend of mine."

"So what," I snapped, "you're having sex with her?"

He just laughed. "God no. Not that it would matter to you anyway. It shouldn't matter to you."

I felt blush colour my cheeks.

I hated to lose any argument, any fight. But I knew that if I kept digging my hole, soon it would be so deep, I wouldn't be able to get out.

But Wayland was right.

It shouldn't matter to me.

So why was there a niggling feeling in the back of my mind that it did matter to me.


DISCLAIMER: as usual, I don't own Clare's The Mortal Instruments series. But, well, I enjoy mucking around with the characters.

Australian words

Petrol: Do you even say petrol? I think Americans say 'Gas' but hey. I like petrol better. Gas sounds too…American :P.

Mobile: I'm not sure on this one. But most books I read, they talk about 'cell phones'. (Pfft, cell phones.)

Sticky-beak: A nosey person, a busybody. (An inquisitive and prying person, according to my dictionary.)

Grand Angus: Do you have these burgers at your USA Maccas'?

My favourite line in this chapter would have to be: Sure, Wayland was attractive as the sun is hot…

(*See what I did there? 'Too Much Information/The Mortal Instruments' TMI ;).)

~Maisy :) x