A/N

Sorry, it took me 2 days to update. Thank you for all the reviews from xoxNxox, RitzaHerondale, KyKat, brienie, Cecyl 2014, daniiisnothot, and to the guest who made an observation about my writing style. Thank you for the feedback, I do appreciate it and please bear with me because English is not my mother tongue, but I'll do my best. J

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CHAPTER 8

Jace tried to open his eyes, his head throbbing. He lost count of how many shots of rum, tequila and vodka he had last night. He had a good talk with Isabelle, something that made him come up with his final decision that he needed to end his relationship with Aline.

Isabelle made a good point; not everyone gets a second chance. He had already assessed himself that night after Isabelle left. Even if the rumors about Sebastian and Seelie might be true or not, he should be fair not only to Aline but to him as well.

He couldn't hide the fact that he wanted Clary so bad. He can't stop himself from wanting her, and he didn't want to stop. Is she still with Sebastian? And if not, will she be ready if I tell her what I feel about her? He wondered.

Jace turned his face away trying to shield it from the sunlight prying through his window blinds. He slowly got off the bed and sat at the bedside. His gaze went to the painting, the only thing that was hanging on his white wall. It was the waterfall painting which Clary painted herself. He smiled to himself remembering how they ended up in a paint fight. She was attempting an escape but he wrapped his arm around her and continued smearing her with paint. They were so close, her back pinned on his chest and it took a lot of self control for him not to kiss her.

Then Jace frowned as the memory carried on, how Sebastian begged for Clary, and then insulted her, and how he came to his senses and asked for her forgiveness. He closed his eyes again and sighed. He didn't want to torture himself further. It was hard for him to be in this situation, finding the right time to end things with Aline, and to face the possibility of Clary still being with Sebastian. Would there be a chance for the both of them?

He went to the bathroom, took a quick shower and brushed his teeth. He reached out for his fluffy blue towel and wrapped it around his hips. He stepped out and got clothes from his closet. He almost yelped when suddenly slim arms were around his hips. He turned around; Aline's face was just a few inches away from him. He disentangled her arms from him and took a step back.

"What are you doing here? How did you get in?" he asked irritation in his voice.

Aline frowned and placed her hands on her hips.

"I have a spare key, remember?" she produced the key from her bag and showed it to Jace. He tried to snatch it away from her but Aline hastily dropped the key in her bra.

"Give that to me!" Jace snapped.

Aline waggled a finger at him. "If you want it, you have to get it from here," she teased and pointed at the opening of her v-neck top.

"Don't play games with me Aline. I am sick and tired of this!" he threatened.

Aline was stunned at how Jace talked to her. She stared at Jace, hurt visible on her face. She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She gently kissed his jaw and this made Jace flinch. He jerked away from her.

"Jace, baby, please. Why are you doing this to me?" she asked sounding miserable.

Jace placed his right hand on his nape and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes wishing that when he opened them Aline's not there anymore. Both of them stayed silent for a few minutes.

"Let me put on something before we talk," he tried to sound casual and he headed towards the bathroom. Aline's voice made him freeze right in front of the bathroom door.

"Why do you need to go inside? I have you seen you naked many times before," her voice was a little hoarse and her lips forming a little pout. Jace groaned in frustration and he knew she was trying to seduce him.

"If I may, I would like to get dressed," he explained like talking to a child and motioned his hand to the bathroom door.

Aline made protesting sounds and even threw her bag on his bed, but Jace ignored her. He quickly put on his boxers, a pair of soft jeans and gray shirt. He stepped out of the bathroom, and stopped in front of the closet. He just stayed silent avoiding looking at her.

"Say something baby, please." Aline pleaded.

She made an attempt to go near Jace but he made a gesture with his hand to stop her. He placed both of his hands on his hair and looked up. He dropped his arms on both sides and he looked at her.

"I am sorry Aline, I can't do this anymore," his reply was almost a whisper.

Aline's eyes suddenly filled with tears. She walked backwards until the back of her legs hit the side of Jace's bed. She slumped on the edge of his bed; her left hand supported her so she can sit down, while she placed her right hand on her chest.

"Why Jace, what did I do? I thought we're doing fine. Now you're breaking up with me?" she said in disbelief her voice breaking. Aline choked on a sob.

Jace stared at her, the last time he saw her desperate and miserable was when she was explaining herself to him after her drama with her ex-boyfriend Meliorn. He suddenly felt horrible.

"I tried… tried my best to give this another try. But every day I tried it, the more I realize that I couldn't bring my feelings back." He reasoned out.

Aline rose from where she was seated and walked towards Jace her arms held out but not close enough to touch him.

"Tell me what should I do? I can't lose you, I need you Jace!" she wailed. She closed the space between her and Jace and she placed both of her hands on Jace's face and slammed her mouth to his.

Aline kissed Jace with all the passion she can give. Jace was caught by surprise his mouth didn't move and he tried to push her away. His gestures only made Aline clung to him more. After making motions of protests, Jace finally surrendered and he let her kiss him. Their mouths moved together, Aline licked his bottom lip, which made him involuntarily open his mouth slightly. She found this opportunity to intensify their kiss; she shoved her tongue inside his mouth, and his tongue met hers as both of them battled for dominance. Aline's hands were on Jace's hair and she pulled it back to have an access to his neck. Her lips left Jace's and went down to continue the kiss on his neck nipping and sucking lightly. Jace groaned and he wrapped his left arm around her waist while his left hand grazed her shirt upwards feeling her bare skin.

Jace closed his eyes and what flashed right in front of him was a pair of emerald eyes. He opened his eyes and was brought back to his senses. This is wrong; this shouldn't have happened. Aline's fingers were on the button of his jeans. I can't do this… What have I done? Damn! He scolded himself.

He pried Aline's hands off the button of his jeans. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back. She was obviously surprised her mouth hanging open though her eyes were wide and dark with desire.

"Jace, let me… let me make love to you," she moaned. He didn't remove his hands on her shoulders; he stretched them out further so that Aline wouldn't be able to come closer to him.

"Aline, no, I can't do this anymore. Let's stop, this is going nowhere," he explained desperation in his voice.

Aline was taken aback. She took steps backward and her expression changed. She suddenly looked angry.

"You can't do this to me Jace. I have you wrapped around my finger," her voice was cold.

"I used to Aline, but now, not anymore." He quietly replied.

He remembered his conversation with his mother and the way she was trying to persuade him to work things out with Aline.

"Don't stoop this low! You're even using my mother and involving her in this situation that only you and I were concerned," he accused.

"You're mine Jace! I am not going to let you go. I am not going to let HER have you," she threatened, she emphasized the word her which made him suddenly uneasy.

His expression suddenly changed at Aline's words and he felt a sick feeling to his gut. Would she have any idea about Clary? Did she know all this time about her? He asked himself feeling nervous.

Aline sensed his discomfort, she smiled mocking him, looking triumphant.

"She'll never approve of anyone else but me, Jace. You got it? Celine adores me and she wanted me to be your wife." She added with taunt in her voice, looking at him proudly.

"It doesn't have to end this way. For old time's sake Aline, we can part ways in good terms," he explained trying to keep his cool and to conceal that he was affected by her words.

Aline gave him a cold look. She grabbed her bag and headed towards Jace's bedroom door. She stopped on her tracks and gave Jace a smile.

"Nothing's going to end Jace. You're still mine, remember that," she said sweetly. She blew him a kiss, opened the door and left.

Jace was left shocked. He knew how much of a brat Aline was but he didn't somehow expect that she would be that stubborn and too closed-minded which left him shaking out of frustration and anger. To make matters worse he gave in to her kisses and he responded. He hated himself because he had been weak. The last thing he wanted was to give Aline false hopes that she has control over him. He wanted for her to realize that there's no point of them staying together. That it will do them good to part ways.

But what affected him most were the words she said during their confrontation. I am not going to let HER have you. Her words still buzzed in his head. Is she bluffing or she's aware about his meet ups with Clary in Los Angeles? He growled in frustration. He didn't want Clary to be involved in Aline's drama. He didn't want her be bothered with the complicated state of his now defunct relationship.

He grabbed a jacket from his closet and scooped his cellphone, wallet and car keys. He felt miserable about the incident earlier with Aline. He was about to leave his penthouse when his cellphone rang, it was his mother.

"Mom," he answered.

"I need for you to do something for me son," Celine replied.

"If this is about Aline mom, please..." Jace wasn't able to finish.

"No, this is not directly about Aline," she interrupted. "What did you do again Jonathan?" she continued her voice was sharp.

"I didn't do anything mom, I thought you're going to say something about her again," he protested. Damn! I shouldn't have assumed that mom's going to ask about her, he thought.

"I see," Celine replied sounding suspicious.

"What would you be asking for me to do?" he quickly asked wanting to end the conversation.

"I have sought for architectural and interior designing services for the new hotel and Aline's penthouse. The architect and the designer will be flying in tomorrow and I hope you can go to pick them at the airport up so you can also show them around. Their arrival's at 10 a.m." she explained.

"Okay, I'll go," he hurriedly replied not wanting to hear other questions from her.

"Good! Don't forget to go to Aline's place first so that she can talk to the designer, alright?"

"Got it mom, I need to go I am heading out," he answered.

"Alright, bye," Celine already hung up. He shoved his iPhone in the pocket of his jacket.

Jace went inside the elevator, his mind was still clouded. He didn't notice that it was already at the ground floor, good thing the attendant called his attention asked him.

"Mr. Herondale, were at the ground floor," she politely informed him.

"Oh, uh, thanks," he replied.

He stayed at the lobby and sat down at one of the sofa, waiting for the valet for his car. He recalled her mother's instruction for tomorrow. He got his phone from the pocket of his jacket and called Alec.

"Hey, are you busy tomorrow?" he asked.

"Not really, you wanted to have a talk?" Alec asked sounding amused.

"Mom's asking me to go to the airport tomorrow, need to fetch some people. Can you come with me?"

"Sure, what time?"

"I'll pick you up at 9."