Chapter 10

Thanks so much for reviewing. Woo woo! 23 reviews! Oh also, please check out my two-shot, Loved Like You. Big thanks to InfinityOfBooks, newt-scamanderp, eva, Leddie2012, kemerand, Virginia Herondale-Raffaeli, Guest, Mag328, shaybearxoxo, okayitswayland, Alysia, theend07, AnnaW14, RoBiNiSmYbOo, YayitsCaroline, KyKat, Becky, MeSeesTheLight, MrsSweeneyTodd52214, Lepingmoonray, Princess of Idris, Blue-Eyed Cat, Soaking In the Reign, and KeepMeSafeInside.

Sorry I didn't update sooner, I've been feeling really lazy lately. I've also started watching Two Broke Girls, it's hilarious.

R&R!

I'll have my driver bring you a dress. Please join me for tonight's charity auction and banquet at Lombardy Hall, darling. Be ready at 4 pm sharp.

I texted back my affirmation and sighed. He as staying longer than anyone else has ever stayed, even before my three date rule. And since I had no good feelings towards him, each "date" grew more and more tiring. At this point, the only thing keeping me here was our spoken contract that he'd be the one to terminate things. I rarely ever went back on my agreements, spoken or written or anything.

But there was a good side to all this. Maia and I didn't want for anything. The rent was being paid, we ate well, instead of the Ramen and take out we lived on before. I even started cooking. I'd bought 4 large cook books and cooked for Maia and I, and occasionally Jordan every night. We still ate leftovers for lunch but that was beside the point.

I felt healthy and unstressed, which was a plus. On days I didn't go to work or go on dates with Robert, I would paint. I thought I was improving. I'd go to Central Park and take pictures and then go home and paint them. So far I had a 32 x 24 inch painting of a woman with her three children enjoying a picnic, smaller paintings of kids on a swing, joggers, the small pond, and tourists.

Life was easy now. Jace still came into Taki's and I made occasional conversation, but it wasn't as intense as before, with him asking me out 24/7. I started enjoying his company more. It was strangely refreshing, not being pursued. God, I sound conceited. I don't have men throwing themselves at me. It's just I enjoy not having the pressure of going out with people. I say people because there was one rich bi-curious socialite who heard of me through one of my ex-sugar daddies. She decided she was bi after me so I guess I did well. But anyways, Jace not trying so hard was nice.

I lounged around all day catching up on episodes of Orange is the New Black. It was my day off and I took full advantage of it. I've been taking advantage of these days offs a lot. I think I'm becoming lazy.

When 4 pm finally rolled around, I was all ready with my hair and makeup done. The driver, Martin, presented me with this gorgeous golden floor-length gown. I looked like the Oscars. It was a quiet ride to Lombardy Hall, but Martin never spoke to me much anyways. I don't think he respected me much, but who would? Not even I respect myself much.

Robert greeted me at the door or the Hall. The place already smelled presumptuous. Chanel No. 5 filled the air. There was so much Greek columns in front of the building, I thought it was the Lincoln memorial.

"Shall we, darling?" Robert offered me his elbow and I took it with a gracious smile. I was feeling nervous though. Wouldn't the people here know Robert's wife?

Robert guided me to the center of the lobby where we were automatically approached by a gaggle of obviously high-class women.

"Hello," a woman crowed, dragging out the "o", "Who is this with you, Robert sweetie?"

"This, ladies, is my mistress, Clarissa," Robert introduced me. I felt my blood go as cold as the women's expressions. There group shared a collective deep frown and I smiled weakly.

A man suddenly comes up to us to shoo the girls away, asking to steal Robert away for a second. However, they still stood close enough to me so I could hear every word they said.

"What were you thinking, bringing her here?" the man asked.

"I don't see why not, Zachariah," Robert straightened his lapels.

"Half the women here are close friends with your wife, bringing that whore here is like singing your divorce papers," Zachariah, apparently, replied.

I gasp softly and rush away as quickly as possible in this constricting dress, looking for a bathroom or a powder room or whatever they have here for me to hide for the rest of the night. I wove through the beautifully decorated lobby. I could feel their stares on me. I have honestly never been introduced as a mistress before. Well I've never stayed long enough to be considered a mistress before. And I can't say I like the feeling of everyone knowing and judging.

"Clary?" an uncomfortably familiar voice called out and a warm, callused hand touched my arm. I whirled around to see Jace standing so close that he was towering over me.

"You look beautiful," Jace smiles widely.

"Thanks," I tell him, desperately trying to find a way to leave.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, almost suspiciously.

"Oh, no reason," I chuckle nervously, "I, uh, I have to go over there."

I found Robert again after that, making sure that I'd lost Jace in the crowd.

"Where have you been, darling?" Robert asked when I returned to his side. He was standing in a circle of businessmen, talking.

"Oh, just mingling," I smile, "Is it alright if we leave early? I'd really enjoy some alone time with you." I drape myself on his arm, begging with my eyes.

"Not yet," he shook his head, returning to his conversation. The men watched me with leery eyes.

"Excuse me," I told Robert, slipping away towards the bathroom.

The room was getting blurry and I my vision got was checkered in tiny black spots. I steady myself against the sink counter, suddenly disoriented. How did I get here? My breaths come in short gasps, the black spots taking over slowly.

Someone yelling my name is the last thing I remember.