Clary was brought out of her musings by the accouncement that their flight was now descending. As she stepped foot in the cold Swiss air, she felt in herself a new energy, like something good was about to happen. They soon found the driver with the signboard saying "Lightwoods". Clary was relieved that atleast they were not going to have to wait around for a taxi when suddenly the hotel logo caught her eye and she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Four seasons? We are going to be living in Four Seasons..? Are you kidding me?", it was only after that Clary realised how loud she had been. Trying to cover her face which was beginning to turn as red as her hair, she just marched on ahead ignoring the chuckles and laughter of her travel companions behind her.
For Clary the stay at the hotel was a new experience all in itself. She was a simple girl from Brooklyn who sure knew how to eat in a sophisticated manner but who was used to living in much simpler hotel rooms which cost less than a quarter of the family suite she now found herself in. Cause a family suite was what it was.
The suite, which was atleast as big as the loft she used to live in, had four separate bedrooms, a dining room, a salon, a terrace and an honest to God private swimming pool. And that's not mentioning the Jacuzzi. Okay, so maybe she stood gawking at the room for quite some time, but that was no reason for her friends (at least she hoped they were friends) to laugh at her. They were laughing way to much today.
Seeing as it was soon to be dark, they decided to go to room, wash up and meet back in the main room from where they will proceed to dinner. Clary loathed the fact that the dinner was definitely to be a formal affair and she would have to dress up for it. She just hoped that they could have private dinners with just the four of them in the future, so she could eat in her sweatpants and enjoy it!
But today she knew she will have to push through. So she cleaned up, put on a dress and heels and went outside. Jace was the only one in the room. And oh God, if Jace looked hot in plain jeans and leather jackets, he looked like pure sin in a tux. He hadn't tried to style his hair, prefering their natural look and was in process of making a drink for the bar (they had a fully stocled private bar as well..this was getting ridiculous).
"Do you want a drink",Clary was brought out of her musings by Jace's voice.
"No thanks. I don't drink.", okay why did she say that? He's gonna think she is a loser.
"Oh cool. Neither do I actually but you know special ocassions.", Jace answered. Wait, what? She probably would have let her surprise show on her face and further embarrassed them both if Jace hadn't continued, " Also, you have been holding out on me. Didn't know you had such an amazing figure under all those ugly sweaters you always wear. You look hot, Fray."
And Clary blushed, again! Thats the third time in the span of less than 24 hours. Damn it!
Deciding to try and act cool all she said was, "Well, you know me, the hot nerd."
That was cool, right?
Jace, though, just smirked and went back to his drink. There was a brief silence which wasn't uncomfortable at all.
Finally deciding to break it, Clary asked," I get Izzy. But what's taking Alec so long?"
"Why, Fray, you find my company that boring? And Alec he's probably asked Magnus his opinion on one thing or another and Magnus made him change clothes atleast thrice before settling on the first one itself. He will be out soon."
Clary laughed as she imagined Alec modelling clothes in front of his laptop. "Damn. I would love to meet Magnus.", she told Jace.
"Well you will. Did Izzy mention we might be going to Paris for a while..", as she nodded her head he continued ".. he's scheduled to join us there. You will be treated to Malec in their full glory in the most romantic city in the world."
"You guys really did go out, didn't you? I mean Switzerland and Paris? That must be expensive.", ever since the first time she had met Izzy, Clary had been curious. What type of college students went on a month long swiss trip? Sure, she knew the Lightwoods were loaded but this seemed a little too extensive.
"Well this is kind of a last hurray for all of us. And it would have been for Max too, if he had come. You know before I leave for Spain and Max has his...", as Jace trailed off, Clary could see he didn't want to talk about it. Earlier when Izzy had mentioned that their little brother wouldn't be able to join them, Clary thought it was because of some everyday reason, but now seeing the expression on Jace's face she wasn't so sure. brother
And then there was the bomb, which meant that even if Clary could somehow become friends with Jace (and make him fall in love with her, which could totally happen) it was doomed. Deciding not to worry about it for the time being, she pushed it to the back of her mind and came back to more cheerful topics.
"So Paris, huh? I always wanted to go to Paris. Its a dream of mine. But I don't know the first thing about the city.", Clary said.
"Don't you worry. I will help you. A photographer is probably the best guide you can have when in a new city. I have gone there before, so don't worry."
Clary couldn't believe her ears. "You will help me see the city?"
All Jace did was grin, "Its a date", he said.
And Clary barely resisted the urge to start jumping up and down like a maniac. She probably would have done something equally embarrassing had Alec not taken that moment to enter.
And just like Jace went off asking Alec if he wanted a drink and teasing him of taking longer than a girl to get ready.
It was then that Izzy finally came out, looking incredible in a black evening dress and high heels. As they proceeded to dinner, she caught Jace's smile as he turned her way. She didn't know whether Jace meant that they will go on a date as friends or whether it was an actual date. But there was something attractive about going out in the city of Love with the one who had got away because she was too shy to say something. Whatever the case maybe, she just hoped that she didn't do anything stupid that might ruin the newly minted friendship with the Lightwoods.