CHAPTER 5

AFTER A MONTH

The whole month for Clary was like walking in the middle of a storm. While things at work became better for her, her relationship with Sebastian became worse. Even if her fiancé's a model, she didn't bother herself to look at social media sites or even watch TV or read the news. It wasn't her thing and her life's involvements now are work, friends and painting.

She knew she had to end it with Sebastian. Her friends had been convincing her to call it quits with him. Maia even showed her articles about different events in which Sebastian had been bringing along different girls and in most occasions he brought Seelie with him. Good thing that he was not that huge enough for paparazzi to bug her.

"Clary, are you in a cave or something? When was the last time Sebastian brought you along a modeling event or something? This guy is definitely not worth keeping girl! Drop him!" Maia exclaimed.

Clary just looked at her. She knew that it became pointless to hold on to him much longer. She had already given him a chance to make things right. But after giving him another chance, he still treated her like she's the least of his priorities. She had been searching her heart and contemplating what her decision must be. Is she ready enough to end things and let him go?

Maia produced a printed article in which it featured Sebastian and Seelie. It was in an event, a photo inset showing Seelie's ring finger, a diamond engagement ring wrapped around it. Clary felt like something hit her stomach and she had a little difficulty breathing.

The article said that Sebastian, who had been single for quite some time before dating Seelie, is now engaged with her.

"If only Simon's here, he will definitely punch that ass on the face!" Maia said irritated.

Maia was looking at her, nervous of how this news will affect her. But Clary seemed surprised that it didn't make her cry out of sadness or sorrow or of pain of eventually losing Sebastian. All she can feel now is anger and regret.

Clary tossed the paper on the table. "Thank you for showing that to me, I do appreciate it."

Maia was surprised by her calmness. "I have had enough of him, I couldn't find the right time to end things with him, he would just sweet talk me and would win me back," she continued and inhaled.

"But this is enough for me to just end things and let him do his thing with Seelie, they're meant for each other, I guess. And I have to start anew," she concluded with steadiness in her voice.

Clary couldn't wait any longer and went to see Sebastian. At first he told her he's too busy to see her but she insisted she needed to. She told him that it'll just take a few minutes and he finally agreed. He asked her to see him at his hotel room and gave Clary the details.

Clary easily found the hotel and Sebastian's room. She knocked and Sebastian right away opened the door already expecting her.

"Baby, what do you want to see me for?" He asked and he walked towards her, reached for her face and gently kissed her cheek. Clary just stayed quiet and Sebastian's lips trailed down to her neck, softly sucking on it. Clary let him kiss her for the last time.

He stopped kissing her and leaned away from her studying her face.

"Is something wrong baby?" He asked. Clary reached for her bag and produced a paper, the one Maia gave her. She placed the paper in front of Sebastian's face and he frowned.

"Don't tell me you believe this shit Clary?" he asked disbelievingly.

"I don't need to believe whatever's written there. Sebastian, I'm putting an end to this. I want to be out of this," she calmly said. She removed her engagement ring off her finger and shoved it in his hand.

"No, no, baby you can't do this to me," Sebastian said surprise in his voice. He shook his head and tried to put the ring on Clary's finger.

Clary jerked away from him, anger started to fill her in.

"Don't baby me Seb, I have had enough of this. I don't want any of your lies, your pretentions. Your career really got in your head. The Sebastian I knew was no longer there." She retorted trying to control herself from smacking him.

"Is this about the guy who I saw you with? The hot shot, what's his name again?" he mocked.

"I don't know what you are talking about! I am not seeing anyone, I have always been with you and there's no one else," she defensively replied.

"You can't fool me Clarissa! I know it has something to do with Jonathan Herondale! Don't be deceived by his charms, don't you know that he's just going to play you around?" He continued taunting.

Clarissa flinched at his words. Is Jace somewhat responsible for her to easily give up on Sebastian? He's a friend for all she knew. He's miles away from me and I haven't even replied to any of his messages. She suddenly wondered. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw Sebastian's expression.

"He has nothing to do with this!" she replied hotly. Sebastian laughed at her.

"Baby, you don't know Herondale, really? He's a ladies' guy, and maybe he hasn't said anything about being in a longtime relationship with Aline Penhallow," he said with an insult in his voice.

Clary felt herself flushed. Is Sebastian telling the truth? Jace hasn't mentioned anything about having a girlfriend back in New York. And it has nothing to do with her since he's just a friend nothing more.

"I don't care Seb! I really don't care who this Aline is and what's her relationship with Jace! This has nothing to do with me breaking up with you! I am done and over with this! I don't want to see you!" she spat and slapped Sebastian on the face. She hurriedly went towards the door and before she walked out, Sebastian called her.

"You're mine Clarissa! Jonathan Herondale will never have you! No guy will ever have you!" He threatened.

She looked at him in disgust and suddenly crashing into someone, Seelie, who was about to go inside Sebastian's room.

"Congratulations! He is all yours!" she sarcastically remarked leaving Seelie smiling at the door.

xxxxxxxxxx

Clary was in another dimension when she was at her workplace. She couldn't concentrate on another blue print that she was working on. After her break up with Sebastian a week ago, things had been playing in her mind over and over again. Confronting Sebastian and what he said about Jace, and him having a longtime girlfriend whose name is Aline Penhallow. She shouldn't care since it's none of her business but she couldn't pretend that it didn't bother her. She became curious about Jace and Aline and fighting the urge of going online and searching on the internet. She's debating whether she will search on Google about Jace and Aline. She hasn't even mentioned about it to Maia or Simon.

She was startled with a call from her work phone.

"Clary speaking," Clary answered the phone.

"Clary, Mr. Pangborn wishes to see you at his office in 5 minutes," said Kaelie, Mr. Pangborn's secretary.

Mt. Pangborn is the president of the firm Clary is working for. He had been impressed with Clary's work and every time there's a high profile client seeking their designing service, he always seeks for her.

"I'll be there Kaelie, thank you." Clary hung up the phone. She went to the washroom, fixed her hair and makeup. She went out, got her notebook and pencil and headed to Mr. Pangborn's office.

Clary knocked on the door and went inside. She was greeted by Mr. Pangborn and Magnus Bane, a newly hired architect of the firm.

"Hi there Clary, have a seat." Mr. Pangborn motioned at the chair in front of Magnus.

"Thank you," she politely replied and took a seat.

"The reason I asked for you both to be here is that we have clients who would be seeking our service for a home and a building.

"That's great!" Clary and Magnus said in unison. Both of them laughed.

"The client who wants her home to be designed by us, is a model based in New York and the other one would be a hotel, owned by two rich families in the US who are also based in New York," Mr. Pangborn continued.

Magnus looked happy about the news of new projects, but something about the description Mr. Pangborn mentioned, made Clary think.

New York, I will definitely find time to see Simon, but what if I see… she was brought back from her thoughts.

"Clary, are you alright? Is there something wrong?" Mr. Pangborn asked, looking concerned. Magnus looked at her curiously.

"No, nothing at all, perfectly fine," she replied and forced a smile.

"Great! So, the thing is, the clients cannot squeeze in time for a flight here in Los Angeles, so they were requesting if you could both fly to New York instead, and the will be paying for the expenses.

"When are we flying to New York?" Magnus asked.

Mr. Pangborn got something from her drawer and handed each to Clary and Magnus.

"You will leave in two days time, so I'm giving you both an off tomorrow to prepare. I wish you both good luck. I have hopes that you will be making this company proud," Mr. Pangborn happily said.

Clary and Magnus left his room.

"You didn't seem happy about this Clary?" Magnus observed.

"Of course I am happy; this must be a good project for our clients to spend money on us to design. Who am I to complain?" she assured him.

"So, we're good to go?" Magnus asked. Clary looked at him and noticed glitters on his hair.

"Good to go," she responded smiling.

A/N

Chapter 6 almost done and I will upload it as soon as I have already polished the whole chapter. Please bear with me. Thanks!