Clary tentatively took a sip of her latte, flinching as the hot liquid burned her tongue. She sat her cup down as Izzy slid into the seat across from her, her own cup in hand. They sat in a secluded corner of a coffee shop, Iz taking a break from working and Clary killing time until she needed to pick CeeCee up from school.

"You're still hung up on this whole Jace thing, huh?" Izzy asked, blowing on her cup of coffee.

Over the past few weeks, Clary had had been meeting with her more often during the day. She had been avoiding any chance of running into Jace when CeeCee wasn't around, which meant she spent more time out of the house during school hours. Jace had a tendency to randomly show up during the day, and she wasn't going to risk being there if he happened to forget something at home.

Clary shrugged. "I just want to keep my distance, you know?"

Her best friend rolled her eyes. "It's been weeks, Clary. Let it go."

"He was really mad. I don't want to risk pissing him off again."

"Honestly, if you're this upset about it, I don't understand why you don't just quit."

"I can't quit."

"If you work more hours at the club you'll make plenty of money, and you're always welcome to temporarily crash at mine and Simon's."

Clary shook her head, staring at the cup between her hands. "It's not about the money right now."

Izzy groaned loudly, drawing the attention of a few other patrons of the café. "Do not tell me you've gotten attached."

Clary remained silent, and avoided making eye contact with her friend. She knew she had grown attached to CeeCee, and she knew it was a problem. The job was a temporary one. CeeCee wouldn't need a nanny forever, and Clary might even end up no longer being a right fit, which meant there would come a time when she would no longer be a part of the little girl's life.

"I didn't do it on purpose," she finally said. "I spend a lot of time around her and it just happened. I'm sure it would happen to you if you were to spend time with her. She's a really fantastic kid."

"Yeah. I've heard. I just want you to be careful, because this gig isn't going to last forever."

"I know," Clary sighed before deciding to change the subject. "So, are you going to the gala on Friday?"

Rolling her eyes, Izzy took a drink of her coffee. "My parents are forcing me. We've always been good family friends with the Herondales, so I have to go to support Jace or whatever. At least I'll have Simon to help make it less terrible. You?"

"I'm tagging along to watch after CeeCee and take her home once it starts to get late."

Izzy perked up at this, leaning across the table. "What are you wearing? Can I help you get ready? Do you—"

"I don't know yet."

Izzy's eyes widened and her mouth popped open. "Clarissa! This event is in

two days! That is not enough time to find the perfect dress and—"

Clary shook her head and signaled for her to stop talking. "I'm not wearing a dress, Iz."

She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair, frowning. "What do you mean you aren't wearing a dress? It's a formal event. It comes with the territory."

"I'm not a guest, Izzy. Kaelie made that abundantly clear. I'm there to work. I am to dress professional, not formal," Clary explained, recalling the very serious conversation Kaelie had with her over the weekend when she was picking up CeeCee.

"Since when do you listen to that bitch?" Izzy scoffed.

"Since I'm trying not to have any more confrontations with Jace. I figured I should start avoiding any sort of fights with the mother of his child, as much as I hate letting her win."

Izzy sighed, running a perfectly manicured hand through her raven locks. "This whole situation is ridiculous. I don't understand how Jace hasn't dropped her ass completely yet. Even Alec doesn't understand why he continues to let her stay involved."

"I know. But it's been made abundantly clear that it's not my place to say anything. My opinion is irrelevant. I'm just the help."

Her friend threw her hands in the air. "That's just it! For as much as you've done, you shouldn't be just 'the help.'"

"I'm an employee, Iz. This is how it works." She sighed dejectedly. "Anyway, I will let you do my hair and makeup on Friday, if you want," she offered, trying to cheer her friend up in some way.

Izzy quirked an eyebrow at her. "I'm not going to say no, but don't think offering to let me make you up is going to make me forget how upset I am right now."

Clary rolled her eyes. "I don't even understand why you're upset. I'm not upset, and all of this is about me."

"Well I don't like him treating you the way he does!"

"Overall, he's been very kind to me, Isabelle. He's just gotten a little upset about the interactions Kaelie and I have had," she said, feeling the strange urge to defend Jace, even though she had just been complaining about him. She looked down at her phone and checked the time. "Listen, I really need to go, but come by on Friday and help me get ready?" She offered her friend a smile, letting her know she wasn't upset.

Izzy smiled back and nodded her head slightly. "I'll be there."

Clary sat behind CeeCee, running a brush through the soft, golden strands of her hair. She had finished straightening it with a flatiron and was brushing out any knots left behind. Once she was satisfied with the job she had done, she placed the brush down on the vanity table and met CeeCee's eyes in the mirror.

"There," she said. "Now you are all ready. How about you go watch some television while I get dressed?"

CeeCee grinned. "Thank you, Miss Clary."

"Not a problem," Clary said as CeeCee got up and ran out of the room.

She closed and locked the door before facing the outfit that Izzy had laid out on her bed. She rolled her eyes at the pair of stilettos that had been placed next to the pencil skirt, blouse, and blazer. Izzy had refused to let her wear flats despite Clary's protest about flats being more professional. She had conceded to wearing the shoes just to get Izzy to leave her alone.

Carefully, she changed into the outfit, making sure not to mess up the hair or make up that Izzy had spent so much time on. If she showed up with even one hair out of place, she was sure Iz would strangle her.

She gave herself one last look over in the mirror and couldn't help but notice she actually looked like the other nannies she saw when dropping CeeCee of at school. The blazer and skirt hugged her curves nicely but still gave off an air of professionalism. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun with a few loose curls framing her face, and her make was light and natural looking. Izzy had done a great a job at giving her a more toned down look.

As she stepped out of her room, she heard a voice other than CeeCee's in the living room. When she walked in, she saw CeeCee quietly sitting on the couch and watching television. In the foyer was Aline. She was pacing in the foyer and talking to someone on the phone.

Clary stood there and studied her. Aline was in a beautiful floor length evening gown with a plunging neckline. It was a deep seductive, seductive red and clung to her body like a second skin. She had accessorized with diamond jewelry and a small designer clutch. Clary couldn't help but think about how much she looked like someone Jace belonged with. She was definitely part of his world—a world where Clary would never fit in.

Aline ended her phone call and looked over at Clary. "Thank God you actually know how to dress appropriately," she said.

Clary rolled her eyes but said nothing. Aline had somehow become friends with Kaelie and had taken it upon herself to criticize Clary in Kaelie's absence. She didn't understand how Jace was dating someone who was practically a personality clone of his ex.

"By the way," Aline continued, "Kaelie wanted me to remind you about remembering your place. Stick to the edges of the room and do not draw attention to yourself. You are there to work, and an employee's behavior says a lot about a person. We wouldn't want you making Jace look bad, now would we?"

Clary bit her cheek and nodded her head. She wanted to tell Aline to fuck off, but it was another Kaelie situation. She didn't want to cause any drama and risk angering Jace in that way again. He would probably think she was being unjustly rude and unprofessional anyway. Aline always made sure he wasn't around when she made her snide comments.

Before Aline could say anything else, Jace showed up with Jordan and Luke in tow. He was wearing a freshly tailored tuxedo while Jordan and Luke wore their usual suits. She watched as he greeted Aline, telling her how gorgeous she looked and kissing her on the cheek.

He wrapped an arm around Aline's waist and turned to Clary. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yes, Mr. Herondale," she responded before turning off the television and asking CeeCee to get up.

Jace smiled broadly when he saw his daughter stand up in a princess-style dress. "You look very pretty, CeeCee," he said. "You will definitely be the star of the night."

Clary could have sworn she saw Aline glower at his words but brushed it off as her just imaging things.

"Aline and I will ride together with Luke," he said, turning his attention back to Clary. "You and CeeCee will ride with Jordan and use a back entrance. I don't want the paparazzi getting ahold of her."

"Yes, Mr. Herondale," she said again, grabbing CeeCee's coat off the back of the couch and helping her put it on.

Jace sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I told you you don't have to call me that, Clary."

Clary shrugged, a small smirk forming on her lips. She hid it by keeping her head down as she buttoned CeeCee's coat. "I am just trying to keep it professional, Mr. Herondale," she said, returning her expression to a neutral one before standing back up.

She heard Jordan cough and glanced over to see him trying to hold back his laughter. He knew all about the situation between her and Jace. She spent a lot of time with him and often confided in him when Izzy and Simon were busy. He had admitted to her that he was "on her side." He had also mentioned finding it amusing to watch her push Jace's buttons. He said he never saw someone unsettle him quite like her.

Jace also noticed Jordan's demeanor and shot him a cold look. Jordan immediately gained his composure and set his gaze on the wall behind everyone.

"We should get going," Jace stated, pulling his and Aline's coats off the coat rack. He helped Aline into hers, similar to how Clary had done with CeeCee, before putting on his own. "We will meet you there."

Clary's heels clicked on the marble flooring of the hotel lobby as Jordan led them quickly to the ballroom where the gala was being held. Clary was upset that keeping up with his long stride was preventing her from getting to look around at the lavish lobby. She paused outside the open doors of the ballroom and looked down at CeeCee, whose grip had suddenly tightened on her hand.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" she asked.

"What if mommy doesn't like my dress?" she asked.

Frowning, Clary kneeled down to be eye level with her. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight, CeeCee. I'm sure mother will also agree. If she says anything mean, just let me know. Okay?"

CeeCee cast her eyes down but nodded. "Okay."

"Alright," Clary sighed, standing back up. "Let's go in and find your dad."

Jordan led them inside, where Jace, Kaelie, and Aline were standing just to the right of the doorway. Kaelie was in a skintight satin dress that was as icy blue as her eyes. Clary held CeeCee's hand as they approached the group.

Kaelie gave CeeCee an appraising look when they walked up, and Clary let out a breath of relief as a look of approval crossed her face. She wasn't sure she could hold back if Kaelie said anything out of hand to the little girl.

"CeeCee, darling, you look lovely," Kaelie said to her daughter, holding out a hand to her. CeeCee beamed and took her hand, moving to stand next to her daughter. Kaelie looked at Clary, her eyes full of disdain. "Why are you still standing there? You've brought her to us. You are dismissed until CeeCee needs something else."

Clary pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth to prevent herself from lashing out at Kaelie. Instead, she nodded her head and stepped off to the side. She walked around the outskirts of the party and found a wall in a more dimly lit part of the room to against. She didn't want to draw attention to herself, just like Aline had told her.

She scanned the room and took a moment to take in her surroundings. The ballroom was bigger than most spaces she had been in, and it was decorated meticulously and extravagantly. The walls were covered in gold silk tapestries. The tablecloths were an ivory white and decorated with gold ribbons around the perimeter. There were also gold bows tied to the back of each chair. A large banner hung over the stage at the front of the room with big, cursive letters spelling out "Herondale Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research." A large wooden podium sat at the front of the stage, a gold ribbon embellished on the front of it.

There were people all over the room dressed in fancy tuxedos and designer evening gowns. All the women looked as if they had professional, personal stylists and make up artists to help them get ready, and Clary figured they probably actually did have such people at their disposal. The men all gave off an air of arrogance and importance with the way they walked around, their backs straight and heads held high.

"Well, don't you seem like a fish out of water," a voice suddenly said from next to her.

She turned her head to the side to see Sebastian Verlac standing next to her. He was also dressed in a tuxedo and his hair had been gelled back so it was flat against his head. "I'm working, Sebastian," she replied, wishing he would go away. She wasn't sure how Aline or Kaelie would feel about her talking to guests of the event. She was supposed to remain invisible, and talking to Sebastian Verlac definitely did not make her invisible.

"I can see that, Cherry. You're definitely not dressed to attend this type of event, plus you've been banished to the sidelines," he explained. "I've gotta admit, though, you definitely have the whole sexy secretary thing going on right now."

She bristled at his comment. "I'm not a secretary."

He moved even closer to her. "Oh, I know. Sexy nanny just doesn't have the same ring to it."

"Sebby! There you are!" another voice rang out. "We've been looking all over for you."

Aline walked up to the pair, and for the first, and possibly only, time Clary was actually glad to see her.

"Here I am," Sebastian replied, forcing a smile.

Aline moved to stand next to him, shooting Clary a glare. "What are you doing talking to her?"

"Cherry and I go way back," he said. "I just came over to say hello."

"Now that you've done the polite thing, Jace and I would really appreciate your company." Aline grabbed him by the arm and started to drag him away. He looked back at Clary and told her he would talk to her later before Aline had pulled him out of hearing distance.

Once they were out of sight, Clary decided to move around the room a little bit. She didn't want Sebastian to be able to find her in the same place she was before. She noticed the others who had been "banished to the sidelines," as Sebastian had put it. There were a lot of security men, standing straight up with their hands clasped in front of them. Clary didn't notice anyone else who could be looking after a child, like her. In fact, there were very few children in attendance to begin with, and she found herself hoping that CeeCee didn't end up being too bored or lonely as the night went on.

She continued to move around the edge of the room until a familiar voice called out her name, causing her to freeze mid-step. The last time she heard that voice it was calling her a gold digger. Telling her that she was useless and would never be loved. Using harsh words and coarse language.

"I would recognize that hair anywhere," Raphael said as he walked up behind her.

Clary stayed silent and continued to face forward. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and the room suddenly felt too small for all the people in it. She couldn't handle him right now. She wasn't at all prepared to even see his face, and she hoped he would just walk away. But that was never Raphael's style. He didn't go down without a fight. In fact, he didn't go down at all.

"It is very rude to ignore someone when they are talking to you, Clarissa," he said, his voice low and threatening.

Clary swallowed hard and forced herself to turn around, not wanting Raphael to cause a scene. "H-Hi," she stuttered.

He looked the same as he had that day he kicked her out. His black hair was a tousled mass on top of his head, and his equally dark eyes scanned her body, sending chills up her spine.

"I see you took care of our little problem," he smirked, his eyes landing on her stomach.

She wrapped her arms protectively around her abdomen. "It's none of your business," she mumbled, casting her eyes away from him.

He took a step toward her, and when she stepped back, she found herself against a wall. He stopped only mere centimeters away from her, placing his hands on the wall on either side of her head and trapping her. He dipped his head so that his face was level with hers. "I do think it's my business," he sneered. "I'm glad to know I no longer have to worry about you coming after me for baby money."

"It was never about money," she stammered out. Panic was clawing its way up her body, and she glanced around the room. Nobody seemed to notice the situation she was in, and she was trying to calculate a route of escape.

"That's what they all say, Clarissa. Is that why you're working for Herondale? Getting practice with a kid and using him to make connections before trying to trap some other poor bastard?"

Clary felt tears well up in her eyes. "It was an accident. I thought you'd be happy!" she choked out."

"You know, I hate to admit it, but you are still looking damn good." He removed one of his hands from the wall and placed it on her hip. "Makes me almost wish we were still together. We can still have fun, though, right?"

Clary recoiled from his touch and felt bile start burn the back of her throat. "Don't touch me," she said, but the demand sounded weak even to her own ears.

He tightened his grip on her hip, his fingers digging in hard enough to leave bruises. "Now, now, Clarissa. You know I don't like it when you talk back to me like that. Or have you somehow forgotten? We haven't been separated for that long."

"I-I'm sorry," she whispered, falling back into her old habit.

She felt a miniscule amount of relief as he loosened his hold, but it was quickly gone as he started to move his hand. He brought her up to her face and cupped her cheek. "You know I always forgive you, hermosa."

She suddenly found it hard to breathe and was struggling to get enough air into her lungs. Her vision began to blur around the edges as his face moved closer to hers. She willed herself to move, to get away, but was frozen to the spot.

Suddenly, Raphael was no longer in front of her and someone was pulling her by the hand toward the exit. She looked back to see Raphael holding a hand over his nose, blood trickling through his fingers. Everyone in the room appeared to have their eyes on her.

Before she could fully register what was happening, she was hit in the face with a rush of cold air and hands were gently putting pressure on her shoulders to get her to sit down.

She sat down, the cold cement of the stairs she was on seeping through the material of her skirt. A jacket was placed around her shoulders, and someone sat down on the steps next to her.

"You gotta calm down, Clare," Simon said, adjusting himself so he could look at her. "Iz is going to be pissed that you are ruining your make up."

Clary hadn't even realized she was crying, but the realization just made her cry harder. She buried her head into her hands as sobs wracked her body.

"Oh, shit. I was trying to make a joke. She's not really going to be mad," Simon quickly tried to explain.

Clary just shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around what had just happened. She felt so terrible and weak. She had let Raphael have control over her again. She hadn't tried to stop. She'd been too afraid to try anything with him, and she hated it. They weren't even in a relationship anymore. She hadn't seen him in months. He shouldn't still have a hold over her.

She heard the door open and looked up to see Izzy step outside. "Oh, Clary," she sighed, rushing down the steps to kneel in front of her. "Are you okay?" When Clary gave her a silent nod, she turned attention to Simon. "How's your hand, honey?"

Simon held up his right hand and flexed his fingers. "Hurts like a bitch but God was it worth it."

"What happened?" Izzy asked Clary.

Clary shrugged, trying to stop the tears that were running down her face. "H-He cornered me. I didn't know he was here and he came out of nowhere and trapped me and I panicked and—"

Izzy gently shushed her. "It's okay, Clary. Don't get yourself worked up again."

The door opened again, and Clary had a feeling she already knew who it was.

"You better turn your ass around and go back inside, Kaelie," Izzy practically growled, affirming Clary's suspicions.

Kaelie's heels clicked against the cement as she walked down the steps, making sure she was within Clary's line of sight. "I want to know what the fuck just happened. Do you have any idea what kind of scene you just caused?" she practically screamed at Clary and Simon, placing her hands on her hips. "Not only did you embarrass yourselves, but you embarrassed Jace and I."

"You better back the fuck off, Kaelie," Iz seethed. "This is none of your goddamn business, and while Clary might not be able to retaliate because of her job, don't think anything is stopping me."

"Clary will be lucky to still have a job after what she just pulled."

The door squeaked again, and Izzy whipped her head to the side. "Oh great! The whole goddamn gang is here."

"What the hell is going on?" Jace demanded, and Clary flinched at the volume and tone of his voice.

When she heard two pairs of footsteps walking down the stairs, her head snapped up. "Who's watching CeeCee?" she asked, wiping the tears away from her eyes.

"Luke and Jordan since you are apparently incapable of following simple directions," Aline answered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Clary cast her eyes back down, not wanting to see Jace's expression. After what Kaelie said, she honestly would not be surprised if she was fired right then and there. She had caused a huge scene at an important event for him and his company. All she had to do was not draw attention to herself, but she couldn't even manage that.

"That's it!" Izzy shouted, throwing her hands into the air. She stared down Kaelie, Jace, and Aline. "If you are here just to yell at Clary, then I suggest you leave because I am not having any of that right now. The only person who should be concerned about what happened right now is Jace. Clary is his employee and this is his event. You two bimbos" she looked pointedly at Kaelie and Aline, "can go back inside and do damage control."

"But—" Aline started.

"Isabelle is right. You two shouldn't be out here right now," Jace stated.

Aline crossed her arms and huffed but ultimately went inside. Kaelie followed, making sure to throw Clary a dirty look first, though.

"Can I have a moment alone with her?" Jace asked Izzy and Simon.

Izzy gave Clary a questioning look, and Clary nodded. "We'll be right inside if you need us," Izzy said, helping Simon up and leading him through the door.

Sighing, Jace sat down next to Clary. He ran a hand through his hair and stared out at the space in front of them. Simon had pulled her through a service entrance, which meant they were now sitting on a set of stairs facing a back parking lot. The parking lot was mostly empty, and Clary guessed it was mainly used by hotel employees and deliver personnel.

"I'm sorry," Clary blurted out, unable to handle the deafening silence between them.

"I think you should take the rest of the night off," he said, still not looking at her. "I'll call you a cab and have Jordan look after CeeCee for the evening."

Clary's stomach dropped, and she felt a fresh wave of tears sting the backs of her eyes. "You're firing me, aren't you?"

"What?" He turned and gave her an incredulous look. "I'm just telling you take the night off. Look, I don't know what happened, and I have a feeling you don't exactly want to talk about it right now, but whatever it was has obviously put you in a state of distress, and I don't want you working like that. I am in no way firing you. Why would you even think that?"

"Earlier Kaelie said—"
He groaned and threw his head back. "That woman, I swear. I'm not firing you, and if there ever is an incident that I feel requires the termination of your employment, I will get your side of the story first, okay?"

"Okay," she said, nodding her head.

Clary walked into the foyer, Simon's coat draped over her arm and her heels in hand. Without even bothering to change, she dumped the coat and shoes on the floor and sat down on the couch. She turned the TV to a random channel and stared blankly at the screen as she played over the night's events in her head.

She was in that same position when Jace came over a little over an hour later, a sleeping CeeCee in his arms. He looked surprised to see her, but didn't say anything as he walked past her and down the hall to CeeCee's room. Clary noticed that Aline didn't come home with him this time.

He reappeared a few minutes later, removing his bow tie and unbuttoning his shirt a little. He plopped himself down next to Clary on the couch and also stared at the screen in front of them.

"You're home early," Clary said.

Jace shrugged. "CeeCee was exhausted and wanted me to come home with her."

"You left your own gala early?"

"I have people who took over for me. I gave my speech and wasn't really required for much else." He took a deep breath and changed the subject. "Simon told me about Raphael."

Clary froze. "Oh?" She couldn't think of anything else to say. Just how much had Simon told Jace? Did he know everything now?

"Honestly, I am disgusted that he would try to force himself on anyone, let alone you. The power dynamic there is so fucked up, but I guess he just can't handle rejection. If I had known he was capable of such appalling behavior, I never would have invited him."

Clary relaxed a little, realizing that Simon had only told him about tonight. Jace didn't know about the history she and Raphael had, and she was hoping that it would stay that way. "It's not your fault."

"I know," he groaned. "I just still feel bad, you know? I'm just glad Simon was there."

Clary nodded. "Yeah. Me too."

Jace slapped his hands on his thighs and stood up. "I'm off to bed. You should really try to get some sleep."

"I will."

"Goodnight, Clary." He started to walk away.

"Goodnight, Jace," she replied.

He paused as he exited the living room, and she could of sworn she saw the hint of a smile forming at his lips.

So I now have two jobs because college is ~expensive~. I'm very unsure of when I'll be able to update again, so I made the chapter longer than usual.