A/N
Sorry it took a few days for me to upload this one since I had a few revisions on this chapter. I had a lot of things on my mind on how the story will progress.
I am not from the US so I am not sure of the flight hours and schedules, so please bear with me.
Would you be expecting Clace moments here? Let's read and find out.
Thank you for the reviews, faves and follows.
Let the reviews come in, I do appreciate them. :)
CHAPTER 9
Clary looked at her watch it read 7:50 p.m. Mr. Pangborn called her while she was with Maia after her shopping. He asked for her to wait at Starbucks to meet him and Magnus at 8 p.m. so he can give the instructions before they board on plane tomorrow for New York. She suddenly felt excited and nervous at the same time at the prospect of going there. She was excited because she has never been to New York and the fact that she will be able to see Simon, but she's nervous at a possibility of her seeing Jace. After the knowing that Sebastian had been right all along that Jace is currently in a relationship with model Aline Penhallow, she couldn't bear to see him.
She had been through a painful relationship with Sebastian, she found out his deception and infidelity, and she hated him for that. The last thing she wanted was to get involved with a guy like Jace, who's committed with someone in New York, but failed to to tell her. Was it his intention not to let her know? She wondered why he didn't mention anything about Aline, when he shared most things about him to her. And why do you care Clary if he tells you about her, it didn't seem like he's courting you, you were just a friend to him, that's why. She scolded herself.
All of her thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone talking in front of her.
"Clary, are you alright?" She looked up to see Magnus Bane smiling awkwardly at her.
"Yeah, yeah, I am fine. Sorry about that. I was just thinking about something," she explained apologetically.
"Are you quite nervous or excited about our trip? I know we can make a good team," he said smiling at her and she noticed glitters on his hair.
"Both, kinda excited and nervous about this trip, plus the fact that I don't have any idea who our clients are, but I do agree we can make a good team." She winked at him.
Clary and Magnus noticed someone approaching them. They both looked ahead and saw Mr. Pangborn walking towards to their direction. He saw both of them right away and pulled a chair and seated between Clary and Magnus.
"Sorry, had to settle something in the office. Anyway, this is quick. I have already given you your tickets, so we're good with that. Someone from H & L Group will fetch you both at the airport around 10. Don't worry about the accommodation because our clients have already taken care of that for you." He explained.
Clary and Magnus just nodded their heads and took a mental note of what Mr. Pangborn said.
"When you're there, they will give you the schedule of ocular, meetings and everything that will be related to the project that we will be working on for them." He explained further.
"Okay, got it!" both of them said in unison.
Mr. Pangborn reached for a his bag and pulled a piece of small laminated cardboard with the name of their company, The Firm, and handed it out to Magnus.
"When you arrive at the airport, just hold this out Magnus and the people who will be picking you up at the airport will know that you're the duo we have sent for them. So, if there will be no questions, I think this quick chat is adjourned. I have high hopes in you. I know you'll nail the projects." He added and patted Clary and Magnus on the shoulder.
"Thank you Mr. Pangborn." Clary said.
"See you soon, thanks." Magnus waved at him.
Magnus checked his watch and looked at Clary. "Are you planning to stay here for a few?" He asked.
"No, I am heading home, how about you?" She inquired.
"I'll go home as well. I need to have enough beauty rest, so I'll look good tomorrow." He replied patting his hair. Clary's eyes went wide at a realization of Magnus' statement. His index finger moved to and fro and he narrowed his eyes with a playful smile on his lips.
"To answer the question that has been forming on your mind, yes, I am gay." He casually confirmed.
"How did you know I was thinking about that? Are you a mind-reader, a warlock or something?" Clary sounded surprised. Magnus gave her a wide grin.
"The look on your face says it all," he confirmed.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Clary had a little difficulty sleeping. She kept on tossing and turning, only one person invading her head. She tried to erase him off her mind, but it was impossible to do so. She kept on seeing Jace's face and she was wondering what her feelings for him will lead her to. She knew it was wrong to feel something for him, because there's another one who already owned his heart. Thinking of the lady beside Jace in the picture, Aline Penhallow, brought sudden throb in her heart.
She groaned in desperation and got off the bed. She looked at the clock on the side table. It would not hurt to get up an hour earlier that she should. She went to the bathroom, filled her tub with lukewarm water and stayed there for a while. She wanted to rid off the unexplained feeling inside her.
After staying in the tub and taking a shower, Clary went out of the bathroom and headed towards her closet. She had already planned on wearing something casual yet professional. She slipped on her printed top and a black high-waist skirt which flatters her small yet proportional frame. She looked at the mirror and satisfied with what she saw; her chest accentuated, waist looked smaller and her hips looked wider, giving her an almost curvy look. She did her makeup, putting grey eyeshadow, thin black liner on her upper eyelids, swiped 4 coats of mascara, light shade of blush and red coral lipstick. Clary fixed her hair, using a curling iron to set her fiery red curls. She slipped on her black pumps and sprayed on her favorite perfume.
Clary did a double check on the things she needed for her trip to New York. Luggage, laptop, files, she checked again to make sure that she didn't miss anything. She looked at her watch and headed out to wait for a cab to go to the airport.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Jace was awakened by the message alert tone of his phone. He reached out for it and checked to see that her mother sent a message to him.
Don't forget later at the airport. The people you will fetch will be holding out a signage that says The Firm, it's the name of the company. – Mom
He sent a reply message to his mother.
Okay. – Jace
Jace somewhat felt that the name of the company was something familiar to him. He thought he had seen the name somewhere or heard it somewhere but couldn't put a finger on it. Putting his iPhone on the side table of his bed, he dozed off to sleep again.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Magnus was already there when Clary arrived. He helped her with her luggage and they went to the check-in area and waited to board the plane. The travel took almost 5 hours, but didn't seem like that long for Clary since Magnus had been a good company.
The plane landed and they got off. They waited for their luggage and headed towards the exit to wait for the people who will fetch them. She looked at her clock and it read 9:58, and according to Mr. Pangborn, they should be picked up at 10 a.m.
"Do you think we'll wait here for a bit?" Clary asked, feeling the jitters of actually being in New York, seeing Simon and the possibility of bumping into Jace, which she hoped that the latter will not happen. Are you being true to yourself? At the back of your head you knew you wanted to see him badly, something inside her whispering.
"I hope not, shortcake." He replied scanning the cars and people who were also in the waiting area. Magnus sensed that Clary seemed a little distracted.
"You have that look again Clary." He observed.
"What, what look are you…" her voice trailed off. She stopped when she suddenly saw a blonde guy getting off from a black Range Rover not that far from them. It can't be, I am hallucinating. That's the result of him being always on your mind Clary, when you see someone blonde, you thought it's him, she scolded herself. Magnus saw the worried and shocked look on her face and he followed her gaze.
"Do you know that guy Clary?" Magnus asked and saw that the blonde guy was not alone, and that he was with someone. The other one has dark brown hair and from his distance, Magnus can tell that he has stunningly blue eyes. Clary stood frozen her expression not changing.
"If you knew the guy, he's with someone attractive for my taste," he kidded.
The blonde guy with his companion searched the crowd. Clary felt like she wanted to sink from where she was standing but at the same time butterflies forming a knot in her stomach. Her suspicion was confirmed when the blonde guy glanced their way and his tawny eyes locked with her green ones. Surprise was written on his face but his lips formed into a smile.
Clary felt uneasy and she wanted to run and hide as she saw him approaching their way. He was with someone and he gestured to them looking at the signage Magnus was holding. She held her breath, her lips slightly parted. He was almost near them, and Magnus beside her was nudging her but kept on staring at the other guy.
He was almost in front of her, his hands were placed inside his pockets and his eyes were scanning her from head to toe and gave her a lopsided smile. Clary felt her knees getting week at his proximity and from the smile that he gave her. He really was stunningly handsome.
"Hi, what a coincidence, it's good to see you again," surprise was obvious in his tone. Clary brushed off the feeling of nervousness and panic she's having at the moment. She smiled nervously.
"Jace," she paused. "Nice to see you too,"
Will there be more Clace? Chapter 10 will be up soon.
