CHAPTER 6

Jace let himself be busy for the past month after his trip from Los Angeles. He needed to be preoccupied because he will definitely go insane from the things that had been happening around him, and the way his relationship with Aline kept on going bland. He opened his iPhone and looked at the gallery. He scrolled until he found Clary's pictures. He constantly looks at her pictures from time to time. He tried to contact her especially when he saw an article on a magazine Aline was reading about Sebastian hooking up with fellow model Seelie, who he had met in the past through Aline.

A tap on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" he asked. He looked at Celine Herondale, her dark blonde hair perfectly styled and her blue eyes intently looking at him, a smile on her lips.

"Aren't you happy to see me son?" she asked.

Jace stood from his seat, walked to her and hugged her.

"Of course mom, I've missed you, I haven't seen you since I went to L.A," he softly replied.

He let go and Celine walked towards the sofa and sat. She looked at his son studying him.

"What's going on between you and Aline? I had many phone calls with her while I was in Europe," she curiously asked.

Jace let out a sigh. Of course, knowing Aline and the brat that she is, she's obviously going to try to win his mother's sympathy.

"Can't we talk about something else?" Jace pleaded.

"I want to talk about the both of you first before anything else Jonathan," her voice was stern. He groaned in defeat.

"I don't know Mom, I was drifting away, I think… I, I am falling out of love," his voice was breaking. Celine slowly walked towards him and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"I want to understand what you're saying son. But this is Aline, she loves you so much. She already proved it to you, her love, and her loyalty. Don't break her heart, you might just think that you're falling out of love but you're not. Don't make such assumptions right away." She reasoned out.

"But I can't pretend things were the same Mom, I don't want to hurt her but I don't want to lead her on either," his frustration apparent.

Celine walked away from her son and settled again on the sofa. By the look on her face she's trying to be calm despite her worry.

"The Penhallows regard highly of you Jonathan, they're already expecting you and Aline to get married somehow. They have already invested money in our company, and it would likely be a disappointment if you break her heart or eventually leave her with your excuse. Think of what's going to be better for all of us. You loved her so much before," Celine explained her voice cold.

Jace's heart sank at the realization of her mother's words. She didn't come here to see how he was going. She came to see him to convince to stay with Aline and eventually marry her for the benefit of the company they own.

"Do you still have something to say to me, Mom? I have to leave in half an hour." he said without any emotions.

"Think of it son, think of the future of the company. Think about yourself and the children you will have and they will have after. Staying and eventually marrying Aline will be good for all of us. I love you enough to think of what will be better for you," she dramatically answered. She went to her son and kissed his cheek. She went towards the door not looking back as she disappeared.

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Jace knew he needed to leave and go somewhere he can think. His conversation with his mother made a heavy weight in his heart. All that she thought about was money and power. She disregarded how he truly felt. He thought that she will understand his feelings but it was the other way around. How can he still go on and pretend to be happy with Aline when he knew in his heart that he's not anymore. He thought of a place to go and headed to his favorite place to drink. He asked for a valet to park his Audi R8. He went inside walked straightly to the bar and ordered for rum. He reached for his phone and looked at Clary's pictures again. He badly wanted to see her, he wished he could just fly to Los Angeles so that he can see her, talk to her and spend time with her. It suddenly struck him that it may be a good idea to book a flight to L.A. to visit her. He searched for her number and tried to call her, but only her answering machine's playing over and over. He searched for another number hoping that he can talk about the situation that he's in now.

"Hi, Isabelle, can you meet me at Renwick's?"

After an hour, Jace was relieved when he saw Isabelle already walking towards him. She sat on the stool next to him and ordered for mango daiquiri.

"What's your problem Jace?" She asked eyeing him curiously. Jace shrugged and downed his rum.

"I just wanted to see you, can I not see my sort-of-sister?" he teasingly asked. Isabelle playfully messed his hair and gave him a smack on the shoulder.

"Ouch! That hurt woman!" He feigned hurt. Isabelle laughed at him and then became serious.

"Seriously Jace, what's wrong? You wouldn't summon me here if you don't have a problem that you can't seem to temper on your own?" she asked the sipped on her daiquiri.

"A lot of things, I'm screwed you know?" he seriously replied.

Isabelle looked at him and studying his face. She can tell by his expression that he's in deep trouble.

"Don't tell me this is Aline again? Did she try hooking up with Meliorn or somebody else? I haven't read any gossip articles for the past few days," she frowned suddenly thinking of something.

"This has something to do with her," Jace confirmed.

"Sorry to say Jacey, but I don't like her from the start. I was really wondering what you saw in her, you were so into her." Isabelle couldn't hide her disapproval.

"Let's face it Isabelle, she's beautiful, she has an awesome body and she adored me as well, but…" his voice trailed off.

"But what, can you elaborate?" Isabelle inquired curiosity in her voice.

"But, as time passed by, things will happen and will test you, which would make you realize that the one you're with is not the one you've been wanting for." Jace sadly continued.

"I knew something happened before with Aline and you, which tested your relationship, but you have forgiven her Jace, and you decided to stay with her, despite our opposition, Alec and I. Now you realize that you don't want her anymore?" Isabelle retorted. She waved at the bartender and signaled for another daiquiri.

"I damn hard tried Izzy, and you knew it! I tried to bring things back the way they used to be. I thought I can do that, but I came to a conclusion I couldn't, I can't anymore." Jace sounded more desperate.

Isabelle looked at Jace and she felt sad to see him in agony. Even though they were not blood-related, their parents were best of friends and corporate partners of H & L Group, and they knew each other since she's 5 and Jace was 6. Her older brother Alec is Jace's best friend making her treat him like a brother as well.

"Wait Jace, you said earlier, you realize that the one you're with is not the one you've been wanting for? Did I hear it correctly?" she asked curiosity apparent in her tone.

Jace inhaled deeply, Isabelle waiting for his reply. "Yes, you heard it right," he confirmed.

Isabelle's eyes grew wide. "You're seeing someone already?" she accusingly asked.

"I wish I am, Izzy, but I am not," he sarcastically remarked.

"Stop talking in riddles Jace!" Isabelle was irritated already. Jace groaned.

"Fine, you knew I went to L.A. more than 2 months ago, right?"

"Right, I know, then what? It's already known to me that even before your trip to L.A., your relationship with Aline's getting unclear and going nowhere, so what's the difference now? I can't believe you're still putting up with her." Isabelle couldn't hide her irritation while she mentioned Aline's name.

"Something happened to me during the trip." Jace replied, with a little smile forming in his lips.

Isabelle could already read the expression on Jace's face.

"You met someone in Los Angeles, right?" she slowly asked her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Jace stayed silent. He looked at Isabelle and reached out for his iPhone in his pocket. He handed his cellphone to Isabelle.

"I did," he finally confirmed.

"Oh Jace! Who is she? I hope she's nothing like Aline, or I'll disapprove of her as well," she inquired sounding excited.

"She's nothing like Aline, she's pretty, smart, funny, a girl with a good head on her shoulders, she's amazing," Jace replied with a look of admiration on his face.

Isabelle can already tell that Jace already had it bad with the lady he met in Los Angeles.

"What's her name?" she further asked. She opened Jace's iPhone.

"Her name's Clary Morgenstern. You can see her pictures on the gallery," Jace motioned to his cellphone.

"Her name's familiar, Jace, I think I have already heard of her name," Isabelle was lost in her thoughts while looking through the pictures on Jace's phone.

Isabelle couldn't hide her surprise when she the pictures of a red head girl.

"Clary Morgenstern, if I am not mistaken, is she Sebastian Verlac's fiancé or ex-fiancé?" she asked.

"How did you know? Why did you say ex-fiancé?" Jace curiously asked sounding a little hopeful.

"Jacey, I know you don't like reading entertainment or gossip articles even if your girlfriend is a model, but it has been in the news for quite some time," she replied.

"What's in the news for quite some time?" he asked.

"Poor little Clary, I knew she was Verlac's fiancé but he had been hooking up with Seelie Queen for a few months already. He's been playing her along. There was even a picture of Seelie wearing an engagement ring with Sebastian on her side, so everyone's assumption, Clary's out of the scene now," Isabelle explained further.

Jace felt like someone hit him. Clary didn't deserve to be treated that way. He knew she loved Sebastian so much and he saw it right in front of his eyes when Sebastian tried to win Clary back. He left her apartment and his assumption that Clary might have forgiven him was confirmed the last time he spoke to her on the phone.

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FLASHBACK

He still has a few days to stay in L.A. to finish his business trip but half of him doesn't want to go. He knew it was pointless to stay, especially after witnessing the scene between Clary and Sebastian and it has been two days since the last time he heard from her.

He couldn't help but think what happened after Sebastian begging and crying in front of Clary despite insulting her. He wanted to punch him on the face and beat the hell out of him for saying those things to her.

Did she forgive him? Did she take him back? Jace was thinking and the thought just brought pain to his heart. He was hoping that Clary will wake up to the idea that Sebastian's not good enough for her and she needed someone who will really treat her right. And would that someone be me? He asked himself, but shook his head. He still has an unresolved business with Aline and it would be unfair to pursue Clary knowing the situation that he is in now. Not now, maybe in the future, when things would be better.

Jace heard a ring from his cellphone and his face brightened at the sight of the name appearing on the screen.

"Clary, how have you been?" He asked, couldn't help but feel happy that she made contact.

"I'm okay Jace. I am sorry, I wasn't able to see you go, I wasn't able to say goodbye." Clary's voice sounded a little sad.

"That's alright, I understand you needed time to talk to Sebastian. How are you and…" his voice trailed off.

"I took him back Jace, I have forgiven Sebastian," she quickly replied, but too slow for Jace.

He felt like he was hit by a train. He knew the possibility that she might accept him back, but he was hoping too much that she wouldn't. And the confirmation coming from Clary herself, all of the hopes turned to dust. He couldn't understand but he felt like he was going to cry. Even Aline didn't stir up this emotion from him. He doesn't have anything to expect in California. He would go back home in New York with sadness in his heart.

*end of flashback*

Isabelle was still talking to Jace and complaining to him about how he's still not breaking up with Aline. He was brought back to the conversation he's having with Isabelle.

"Jace, were you even listening to me?" she snapped.

"Sorry, I just had this recollection of my conversation with Clary when I was still in L.A.," he sheepishly admitted.

"She filled your thoughts, right? So, what are you waiting for Jace. I know I am really evil now convincing you to break it off with Aline, but what's the point of going on? Why don't you go to L.A. and check on Clary? She's your wake-up call from all this Aline madness!" Isabelle exclaimed.

Jace looked at Isabelle with a confused expression on his face.

"Whaaattt?" Isabelle shrieked. She rolled her eyes.

"Mom... she, she talked to me earlier, Aline's been feeding her news that I was not treating her right. She was so determined and even talked me over to consider my feelings for Aline, for the sake of the company and her parents. She didn't even consider my feelings Izzy." Jace said he sounded a little tired.

"Your mom will get by Jace. Of course she's going to be disappointed and all, but this is your happiness we are talking about. You need to talk to Clary, especially if the pool of gossip is true that she and Verlac's already history." She casually explained.

"Should I Izzy? Wouldn't I be selfish if I do that?" he asked.

Isabelle shook her head. "Not everyone's given a chance. A second chance," she answered with a persuading tone.

A/N

Currently working on Chapter 7 hopefully I can upload it tomorrow.

Thanks for taking time reading my story. :)