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Chapter Fourteen: The Method In Our Madness
"I have to go" said Jace coldly and Imogen hissed
"ANSWER MY QUESTION".
Jace gave a brittle laugh and said
"You are actually neglecting work to worry about your son?"
Imogen raised an eyebrow and said
"Unfortunately it's not you I'm worried about. It's the company".
Jace stepped towards her and said
"Even if I AM going out with Clary, why would it make you worry about the company?"
He sat down on the chair in front of her and said
"So what?"
Imogen sat erect in her chair, running her fingers together, gazing at him. Finally she said
"I have no problem if it is just a fling".
Jace stood up angrily.
"It is NOT just a fling".
His words reverberated around the room and Imogen's face grew from sour to mocking.
"Oh, have you fallen for her? Ah you bring out the romantic in us all. O spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou. That, notwithstanding thy capacity. Receivth as the sea, nought enters there. Of what validity and pitch soever, but falls into abatement and low price. Even in a minute, so full of shapes is fancy, that it alone is high-fantastical. OH for PITY'S SAKE, JACE...WAKE UP".
Jace sneered
"I'm sorry to say, I don't remember being raised by someone who'd make jokes in this situation".
Imogen raised an eyebrow and said
"And I don't remember raising such a snivelling loser for a son".
Jace nodded stiffly and said
"Goodbye mother".
He turned and Malachi said
"Mr Wayland".
"GET OUT OF MY WAY" he yelled, pushing Malachi aside and slamming the door behind him. Imogen sat staring at the wall, her eyes narrowed. She stayed there for several minutes, silently, coldly and without moving and all of her bodyguards and Malachi knew better than to say anything, unless they wanted to be fired, without references.
Then suddenly the door was opened and Imogen screamed
"GET OUT".
The person stood there, in the shadows, tall and poised, before removing her sunglasses.
"It's been a while, mother".
Imogen's face changed slightly, became less rigid and she said
"Aline. So far from home?"
"You know me' said Aline, 'whenever games are afoot, I'm usually first in line".
"That depends' said Imogen, 'on what type of game you are playing".
"Still as sharp as ever' said Aline, sitting down on Jace's vacated seat, 'no wonder Wayland Pty Ltd is so successful under your leadership".
"Are you and your husband both in town?" said Imogen, wrapping her fur around herself.
"No, sadly. My husband is on a business trip to Australia. Expansion, development, take-overs. The usual".
Imogen regarded her daughter shrewdly and said
"And you aren't...accompanying him?"
"Oh I may just dress up and impress his guests at tomorrow's gala. If I am in the right mood. If my visit here is successful".
"And what is the purpose of your visit?"
Aline gazed her mother right in the face and said
"Will you please accept Jace's relationship with Clary?"
Imogen looked slightly gobsmacked before her fingers tightened and she regained her composure. She gave a snide laugh and said
"My, how fast air travel has become these days. I feel like Jace and I only fought with each other minutes ago".
"Oh was Jace here?' said Aline, 'that's good, he would have got you in the right mind frame. No, I have been hearing many rumours about your resistance towards this relationship and I don't think that you really know Jace. Or what a change Clary has brought to him?"
"You didn't really come to New York to tell me that" said Imogen, reaching for her tea.
"I don't want my baby brother to go through all the pain you put me through" said Aline.
Imogen turned quickly, staring at Aline, her mouth thinning. Aline lounged back in her seat and said
"Surely, you remember. Me. Helen Blackthorn. Unsuitable".
"Watch your mouth' hissed Imogen, but Aline cut over her.
"Have I ever done anything wrong?"
'Whether you have or not is besides the point. Who do you think provided you with your comfortable, happy lifestyle"
"I lost something" said Aline, her face growing grim. Imogen snickered and said
"Who needs that? Life is full of little trifles".
She stood up, taking up her purse and Aline said
"I am content with my life at the moment".
"Then don't butt in' said Imogen, 'you are no longer part of the Wayland family. You are part of your husbands".
"But I still can't forget".
Imogen smacked her palm down on the desk and everyone but Aline jumped.
"How vulgar".
"Are you saying it's vulgar to be seriously in love with somebody?" said Aline, her voice rising.
Imogen snorted and said
"To be seriously in love? Strange feelings like those have no merit in our family or company."
She turned away and Aline bit her lip, wondering what she could possibly say to get through to her callous, cold hearted mother.
"Wow' said Clary, 'she said all that. To YOU?"
Aline shrugged and said
"It isn't me I am worried about. I've escaped. Jace is the heir. My mother will do anything to see that things are done her way. She is cruel, cold and domineering. She has made her views very clear to Jace that at no point will he and you ever have a future beyond a fling".
Clary sat back in her chair, somewhat shell-shocked and they both sat in silence. Aline had come to Camille's shop and offered to take Clary out for dinner. What Clary hadn't expected was it to be one of the most expensive and exclusive places around in New York. She had picked at the bread sticks, which in themselves cost about ten dollars but Aline laughed and said
"Silly girl. This is my treat. I WON'T take NO for an answer".
So as they sat eating, Aline had explained the entire situation to Clary and Jace's agitation over the phone became somewhat more clear. Aline sipped her wine and said
"Jace seems serious about you, Clary".
"See' said Magnus, who had tagged along, 'I told you".
Aline smiled and said
"If you can't reciprocate his feelings, don't force yourself. But you've done him the world of good. He has become more honest with himself. He's becoming more adult-like. I think he owes it to you, Clary".
Clary grinned weakly, unsure of how to respond.
"I don't really fit in with..the rich crowd".
She blushed, realising that Aline was also part of the rich crowd but Aline just laughed and said
"That's what I like about you. You are so honest".
"Yeah' said Magnus, 'and if Jace is serious, he should try to fit in with us".
Aline gazed at him and said
"You're right. You have a boyfriend, right?"
"Yes' said Magnus slowly, 'he's not wealthy though".
Aline turned back to Clary and said
"Let's test and see whether Jace really does want to prove himself".
Ten seconds later, Clary was on the phone, trying to ignore Magnus and Aline's expectant faces. The phone was picked up and for a moment, all she could hear was swearing. Then she heard Jace say
"Hi Clary. What's up?"
"Are you okay? You sound...busy".
"He's losing a lot of money to us" called Sebastian and Jace hissed
"Am not. Don't listen to them".
"Right' said Clary, 'so...I was wondering..."
"NO SHUT UP' yelled Jace, 'YOU LOST. You suck at poker".
"If you would like.."
"I would have won..I just mucked up the cards. No, I am not a sore loser".
"To go on a double date" finished Clary and Jace stopped yelling.
"What?" he said.
"I was wondering if you would like to go on a double date', she said, 'with Magnus and his boyfriend".
"Are you serious?" he said and she said
"Yep. It's on Saturday. 12. We are meeting at the Central Park Zoo. It would be cool if you...came".
For a moment, all she could hear was his breathing, then he yelled
"Are you an idiot? NO WAY".
There was a silence and Clary said
"Umm".
"Why are you smiling?' asked Sebastian, 'has she offered you phone sex?"
"I'm not smiling' said Jace, 'Fray just wants me to go on a double date. I've said no way".
"You know, I can still hear you, right?"
"So why are you in such a good mood then?" asked Alec.
"I'm not in a good mood. I would never do something as childish as go out on a double date. I turned her down straight away".
"You should probably press end" said Clary, tiredly.
"Well, if you don't want to go' said Simon, softly, 'would you mind if I went instead?"
There was a silence and now Clary was really listening. Why..why had Simon said that? Then Jace said
"Actually Clary I would love to go. Saturday. 12. Central Park Zoo. Got it. See you at school. Bye".
He pressed end and Clary was left staring in confusion at her phone. Then she turned back to Aline's and Magnus' expectant faces and said
"I think...he's coming".
"Whoa" said Jace, as Clary turned up. Clary blushed slightly but she was secretly pleased. She was wearing a blue dress she had borrowed from the shop with Magnus' permission and Magnus had done her hair, so that it was half up, half down. In the sun, it shimmered almost a red gold colour. She grinned and said
"How long have you been here?"
"Not long at all" said Jace, shoving his hands in his pockets, which she took to mean he had arrived seven hours earlier, bought Central Park Zoo and consulted thirty six different dating websites. Slight exaggeration but you never knew with Jace.
"Where are the others?" he asked and she said
"Magnus went to pick up Will. They'll be here in a couple of minutes".
"Will, huh?' said Jace, 'you know, there was a time when I thought he and...Alec might..you know".
Clary shrugged, not wanting to commit herself to anything. If she somehow mislead Alec and Magnus didn't feel the same way, then Alec would probably hate her. He still hadn't officially come out yet and she didn't want to do anything to make him regret his sexual preference.
"Still' said Jace, 'I can't believe those punks are making me wait".
"Hey' said Clary, 'you're not gonna lose your temper, okay?"
"Yeah, whatever" said Jace and then Clary heard Magnus call
"Clary".
Both Jace and Clary turned and saw the two guys coming towards them. If physical looks determined goodness, Will would have been a saint. Violet eyes, black hair, high cheekbones, pale, tall, a smirk adorning his lips.
"Your mouth is open" said Jace and Clary shut it, sending him a quelling look. As Magnus and Will reached them, Clary said
"Hi, my name's Clary. I've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you".
She stuck out her hand and Will took it after some consideration.
"This is Jace' said Clary, 'and Jace, this is Magnus and Will".
Jace and Magnus both shook hands and when Jace turned towards Will, he gave a derisive snort and said
"What type of name is Jace?"
Jace withdrew his hand and said
"It means any bastard who messes with my name get kicked in the face".
Will laughed and said
"Touche. Jace. Let's hope your fighting skills are better than your choice of name".
He put his arm around Magnus and said
"Let's get this over with. I wanna go to the arcade after this".
He and Magnus walked off, with Magnus turning over his shoulder motioning for Clary to follow.
"What the hell?' said Jace, 'that effing..."
"Let's just have fun' said Clary, 'no fighting".
Jace rolled his eyes and said
"Honestly".
He walked off after them and Clary bit her lip. Will had definitely been a jerk and yet Jace hadn't punched him. Aline was right, he was changing, becoming less violent. She felt a burst of pride and she called
"Hey, Jace".
Jace turned and said
"What?"
She grinned and bounded up to him. He stared at her curiously and she said
"I am so proud of you".
Before he could say anything, she leant in and kissed him. At first it was gentle, testing, their lips together, soft and warm. Then suddenly he was kissing her, harder and wrapping his arms around her, his hands around her waist. Her heart was pounding, like it was trying to get free of her body before suddenly, she was holding onto his shoulders, her nails digging in. His breath was ragged in her ears, he tasted like honey, she was holding him, clutching him, kissing him over and over, feeling him in front of her until suddenly they broke away. Panting. Slightly shell-shocked. Grinning at each other.
"Well' she said, 'Jace Wayland. Who would have thought?"