So to the person who left the review about Clary forgiving Jace: Clary will not forgive anyone of them. She will also not forget what they've done to her. This chapter starts 6 years later from when everything happened. In this story, I want Clary to be changed in the 6 years. Gain her confidence back and have a very high self esteem. So when she meets Jace (and the others) again, she is ready to "take revenge" / stand up for herself because Jace isn't changed. Well, he is but for the worst. So Clary will have to decide how to handle him and make him sorry for all the shit he's done. Let me know if this is what you want.
This chapter is mostly a filler on everyone's life. Like what happened, how they changed, etc. Then the phone call from Valentine.
JACE IS NOT ADOPTED BY THE LIGHTWOOD'S. THEY ARE REALLY CLOSE FRIENDS!
6 years later.
Clary POV:
I strolled through the crowded markets of Barcelona, Spain in my floral dress. I looked for the perfect spot. I've been looking around when I finally found it. Across the street was a little fruit shop. There were multiple fruits on it. Organized by colors. The bright colors caught the customers attention.
I smiled and whipped out my iPhone 8 plus. I took a picture of the shop in portrait mode. I really love this phone. I continued walking through the heart of Barcelona, stopping to buy some random nick nacks. I was at an antique store when I saw an old wooden elephant. It had small, simple designs in white. It reminded me of the time when I went to India. I bought the Elephant and continued.
Around 3 o clock, I got a call from one of my close friends. Magnus Bane.
"Hey Mags," I say into the phone.
"Oh my god, finally. Where are you, biscuit?"
"I am at the market. Wanted to buy some things."
"Thank god. You've been locked up in your studio for-" there was a pause and some shuffling before Magnus replied. "48 hours. I thought you were DEAD! "
I laughed at that and said, "I have a big project, Magnus. It requires my time. Anyways why'd you call?"
"Oh yeah. Izzy called me wondering where you were. She said your phone was unreachable. Could you please call her and talk to her? "
"Yeah definitely," I reply and hang up.
I take a deep breath and lift my face upwards, liking the way warmth seeped into my face from the sun. With that, I start to walk home, thinking about how much I've changed.
I've been living in Barcelona, Spain for about 2 years. After graduating from The Royal College of Arts in United Kingdom, I got a job in Spain. Almost right away. I worked for an interior design company and made things from my talent. I also sold artwork in small places and galleries.
A year later, I became an official artist. I opened up a gallery in Spain and sold my artwork. My work was liked by so many people that I started to get contracts from around the world. People were ready to spend millions of dollars on my paintings. All of this lead to who I am now. One of the greatest artist in the nation. In the past year, I have opened 5 galleries in Europe and 2 in the States. One in NYC and the other in Florida.
I have become a successful woman. Despite what happened in High school, I have slowly but surely been regaining my confidence and self-esteem. College really did change me. I am glad I left New York. All the ugly memories are slowly fading away. I no longer think I am ugly or fat. In college, I tried out for the volleyball team. And I made it. My teammates and people at Royal College made me feel worthy. I made a lot of new friends and some of them are working for me in the Galleries or sell their work in my Galleries.
I also made a new best friend, Magnus Bane. He was majoring in fashion designing and interior designing. I told him everything that happened to me and he helped me. A lot. He is an amazing person and a total smart mouth. He's been rubbing on me.
I have changed physically, somehow I grew 3 inches. So now I am 5'4. Still short. Instead of A cups, I am proudly a 34 C. I have gained weight as well. No longer a toothpick. My butt filled out because of volleyball and working out. My hair is glossy and curly. My face has filled out nicely as well. People notice these things. In the past 6 years, I have had 3 boyfriends. They were not that serious. I go on dates, balls, Gala's, etc. I mean, I am 24. I am allowed to go out.
After moving to UK, I tried to stay in touch with everyone. Not like I had a lot of friends. Simon and I talked on the phone. Or met up, whenever I was in New York. So did with Izzy. I frequently visit NY though. With my art gallery there, I have to visit in every 6 months or so. Another reason is that my dad is really sick. Valentine Morgenstern is suffering from Kidney failure. And my mom is in depression.
The last time I visited my parents, they were in the hospital. My mom and brother help around and take care of my dad. I'm glad my brother is there for them. Jon and I are not close. Growing up, we were rarely together. He was sent away to a boarding school in Switzerland. So we only saw each other on Christmas. We talked on the phone but it was awkward. We don't know many things about each other.
I open the door of my apartment and entered. Ah, sweet home. I put my bags on the kitchen counter and look around my apartment. It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen and a living room. Perfect for me. The living room was bright. The sun pouring into the apartment through the roof to floor windows.
I had 5 voicemails on my home phone. I'll just check that later, I thought and went to my room. After changing into sweats and a light shirt, I went back downstairs for a snack. On my way to the kitchen, I listened to the voicemails.
First one was from Izzy, telling me to call her ASAP.
Second was from Simon, asking me when I will be back and he really misses me and wants to have a movie marathon night.
The other 2 were just random stuff. Gallery inquiry and art requests.
When the last one played, I stopped. My dad's voice was low and scratchy. "Clare... How are you, baby? Please come home. I have very little time and no one is here with me. The doctors said I have a month or 3 left before my other kidney fails. Your mom... She's not doing well herself. She's crying all the time and just locks herself in the room. She's not eating anything or talking to anyone. Your brother," he laughs and then coughs. "that little bastard. Ran away. Fee months ago, he just up and left. We were not going to tell you but now we have to because we need you. Your parents need you, Clare. Please come home as soon as possible. Please, princess."
It took me a minute to process all of this. I could tell my dad's condition was bad judging by the way he was breathing hard. Mom, is not doing well. They have no one.
I have to go. I have to go home.
Jace POV:
Ugh, I tossed and turned in my bed trying to hide from the sun that was shining right in my eyes. I thrust my hands in my hair and pulled. I had the worst headache ever. Last night was Wild!
"Jonathon Christopher Wayland. Get the fuck up right now!" yelled someone. No doubt Isabelle. I groaned as her voice pierced through my head.
"Go away," I grumble, burying my head in the pillow.
Then someone grabbed my pillow and slapped me with it.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" I scream. Pissed out of my mind. I just want to sleep for 10 more years.
"Look at this," a manly voice said. I look up to see Alec and Isabelle standing over me. He throws a report at me and I squint to read but couldn't because of the damn sun burning my retinas.
"And this," Izzy throws a couple of magazines at me.
"What is this?"
Alec grumbles something before saying, "These are your company's stock values. And they are falling pretty drastically. We are not getting any projects, we are on the blink of bankruptcy. Your employees are leaving and the company is dooming. You will have nothing left. GET. YOUR. SHIT. TOGETHER. You are the CEO. You have to do something!"
I just stare at him.
Alec was fuming now. "Don't you just stare at me like that, you dumb fuck!" I flinch at that. I look over to Izzy, silently asking for what she has to say.
She sighs and starts her rant, "Jace, look. Your reputation in the industry is not good. You sleep with every and any breathing human being that has titts and a vagina. You get drunk out of your mind and get into fights. Do you know how many times you have been kicked out of a club? You are late to every meeting, none of the clients want to work with you. No one wants to partner up with our company. Jace, please, get your act together. Stop sleeping around. You have not been in the office for the 2 weeks now. I know Alec is your COO. But he can't do all of your work."
I think about what Izzy just said. Thinking back now, I have been acting like a whore. Sleeping around with a different girl almost every day. And night. But I can't help it. Girls throw themselves at me and then I can't resist. I don't blame the girls. I mean who wouldn't throw themselves at me? Me. I am Jace Wayland. New York's number one hottest bachelor.
"Well Izzy and Alec," I look at them. "Thank you for this little speech. I'll see you guys later. Now leave." I tell them, rudely.
They look at me disbelievingly and then leave.
I sigh. I know I am acting like an ass. But I can't help it. Ever since my dad passed away, 2 years ago, I just can't focus. He left me the company. And a letter. I walk over to my closet and pulled out a chest. There was the letter in there. I pulled it out and read it. Over and over again.
The letter told me what he wanted from me and what he expects from me. The way he wrote it just hit me dead in the chest. He will forever be my role model. Since elementary school, I wanted to be like my dad. Go to office, work, get home to a sweet wife and children. I wanted to be exactly like him.
He told me I had potential. I had it in me to run the company. To be the best CEO out there. And I was. For a while. Until I fell off the track.
I graduated from UCLA with 2 degrees. I doubled major in Business and Finance. I ran the company while being in school. Learned everything from my dad. A year before he passed away, I was the official CEO of Wayland Industries. The youngest CEO. The first year, was the best year for the Company and me. Our stock values reached the roof. Everyone wanted to partner up with us. Other CEOs' wanted to be like me. I was told, I am just like my dad. Just like him.
Then I saw her. My long lost love. I hadn't seen her in 4 years. Then she came back into my life, looking like a freaking Goddess. I tried so hard to get her. So hard. But she turned me down. Me. I was sure I was in love with her. I have been in love with her for a long, long time now.
Clarissa Adele Morgenstern.
FLASHBACK
It was the summer of my junior year in college. Alec, Isabelle, and I decided to go back home. To spend the summer with the Lightwoods.
I was chilling by the pool, baking in the sun when I heard her. Her melodic laugh ringed through the house. My heart fluttered at the noise.
I put my shades on top of my head and looked at the sliding door. Izzy came through, grinning, in a white Tankini. Behind her was Clary. I had to double take.
That can NOT be Clary. Her hair was in a bun on top of her head. She had round shades on. And her body! I drooled a bit. She wore a dark green bandeau and shorts. Her boobs have gotten bigger. Ter flat stomach was toned and had hints of abs. Her butt has gotten rounder. She looked amazing.
They walked over to the chairs and completely ignored me. Hmm.
I walked over to them and stood there with a smirk. "Hey Poppy. Long time no see."
"Leave Jace," Isabelle says, annoyed.
Clary looks up at me and smirks smugly. "Oh hey Buttercup, how are you?"
I raise my eyebrow at her.
" Just fine, Pepper. Looking good by the way." I look her up and down with a heated gaze. My eyes lingering at her chest.
When I looked at her face, she was scowling. "I know, I look good. Can't say the same about you though."
I chuckle at that and she continues, "Did your head get bigger or is it just me?" I like the confidence.
"Actually I don't know about my head but I do know one body part that sure got bigger. Wanna go inside and check?"
A look of disgust crossed on both of their faces and I laughed.
"Go away, Jace. Stop bothering Clary." Isabelle says again. This time I listen to her and leave the girls alone.
FEW weeks LATER:
I was bored out of my mind. Izzy has gone shopping. Alec and Max have gone to a science museum. I would've gone with them but they didn't wake me up. So now I am sitting at home, alone.
The doorbell ringed. I opened the door and it's Clary.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" I lean against the door frame.
"Is Iz home?" she asks, bored.
"Yeah, come on in, Red." She walks in and I close the door a mischievous smile on my face.
"Izzy! Isabelle!" Clary yells through the house.
"She's not here," I tell her.
"But...you…just said that she was."
"Oh really?" I tilt my head to the side and walk towards her, slowly. Intimidating her.
She was backing away, " I just wanna talk, Red."
"I wanna leave."
"Clare, please. Just wanna talk to you," I plead.
"You have 5 minutes," She says. Sitting down on the couch. I sit next to her.
"I just wanna start off by saying. WOW! You have changed so much. I mean just look at you. You look so hot. I mean go-od," I stutter. Way to go Wayland. Clary just looks at me, her face blank.
I take a deep breath and collect myself. From the moment I've seen her again. All my old feelings are going out. I want her. Bad. I can't keep her out of my head.
"Clary, I am sorry. I am so sorry for all the shit I have done to you. I never wanted to do it. Trust me I didn't but it just happened," I don't know what I am saying. I just want to apologize and explain myself to her.
"If…you didn't want to do it. Why did you do it?" Clary asks quietly. Her head was bent. She was looking at her fingers. I reached my hand out and grabbed her hands. She quickly glanced up, shocked at the gesture.
"Popularity got to me. I wanted to be popular and I wanted people to be scared of me. I bullied others so nobody could bully me. When I saw Sebastian on the first day, I wanted to be in his friend group. I wanted to be his friend. The next day, I saw him and Kaelie bullying you. So I thought to be on their good side, I should do the same. So I started to call you names and embarrass you. Clare, I can not tell you how ashamed I am of myself.
"But I only called you names and other little things but that video and other sick jokes, I had no part in it. I did nothing. It wasn't even my idea. The first time I saw you, I knew you were the one. It's just there is something about you and it just pulls me to you. I know I've been in love with you since the moment I've seen you. I just I just let popularity get to me. Clary, please believe me, I am very sorry." I finish. I looked at her and she is just staring at me. Throughout my speech, all she did was wince or shook her head.
Clary didn't say anything for a long time. She was just staring at me. Then she took a deep breath and her face turned into a look of sympathy.
"Oh, Jace. It's okay. We all make mistakes. You…you should've told me this before because I like you too. I've liked you for a long time. And because I like you, I am ready to put this whole thing behind us and I want a new start with you." She says, her voice gentle and shy.
Oh my god! Clary likes me too. This can't be happening.
"So do you forgive me?"
She looks at me and smiles and hugs me. I take that as a yes!
When we pull away, the smile that she had on her face was replaced by a smug smirk. She looked mad, evil, satisfied. "Is that the reaction you wanted?"
My grin falls from my face. "What?" I whisper.
"Do you think that I am stupid? How can you possibly think that I can forgive a pig like you?!" She spat at me.
"Jace, you really don't have a brain, do you? After all, you've put me through, after everything you've said to me, how do you expect me to forgive you? I CAN NEVER FORGIVE YOU! You ruined my whole life!" She suddenly stands up and slaps me.
"I fucking hate you, Jace Wayland. I hate you so damn much. I can't even look at you right now. You bullied me, but most of all you USED me to become popular! You Deadhead. I can't believe you. Oh my god, I have a headache." She took deep breaths.
"And as for that video and other sick pranks. You helped them. Don't you dare say you didn't have any part in it. You watched it. You were there. You laughed at it! If you didn't stop them while being there, you were a part of it. You helped them by not stopping!" I never thought of that. I never helped them but in a way I did.
"If you really think that you love me, you wouldn't have done all those things to me. You don't love me. You just want to sleep with me. Just like you do with every other girl." Ouch. That hurts. I just don't wanna sleep with her, I want to actually be with her.
"Tell me, Jace. Tell me, how many others girls have you said this fake I love you to? Huh? All that comes out of your mouth are lies. You were a fuckboy then, now, and forever will be. You know why you sleep around with girls? Because you are alone. You are lonely! You are fucked in your head!" She screams. I just stand there and take it all in.
"You will never find a true love because of what you have done. I will never accept you. I don't want my partner's body count to be more than the number of fingers he has. And you. You have fucked all the girls in New York. No matter how successful you be, no matter how much money and name that you earn, you will always be tainted. Tainted by your dirty deeds.
"Never. Never talk to me again. I don't ever want to see your face. Because of you and Sebastian, I lost so much. I spent hours crying because what you guys did to me. Hell, I had nightmares. Sorry will never be enough. You have played with my life. I can never forgive you." Clary had tears in her eyes and was shaking slightly.
"Cla..re" I choke out. My own eyes tearing up. All she did was glare at me and then she left. Just like that.
END FLASHBACK
My heart broke into million pieces that day. When she left, she took the shards with her. Many people call me a heartless. And I am. She took a part of me that day.
After that, everything just changed. I made Alec the COO of my company and Izzy the head of Publishing department. I tried to focus on the company. But even a year later, her words still echoed in my ears. You'll always be lonely. To remove this loneliness, I started to drink and sleep with random girls.
A year after Clary left, my father passed away from heart attack. Stephan Herondale-Wayland passed away because of his son. When he read the magazines and the things his son was doing- he couldn't take it. He had a heart attack.
I blame myself for his death and I blame Clary for making me like this. But I know deep down, it's not her fault. It will never be her fault.
After popping two pills for my headache and drinking a cup of black coffee, I was ready. I walked into my company, wearing a crisp black suit and navy tie.
"Good morning," I say smiling at my employees.
"Jace… I mean Mr. Wayland. Welcome back," Aline, the front desk receptionist said. I smile at her and continue. We once went to the same high school. She needed a job, I needed a quick fuck. Once in a while I call her to my office to relieve my stress. I know she dated Sebastian but they are through. She's still the biggest hoe ever.
I rode in the elevator to the 42nd floor and into my office. It was dark. Instead of turning the light on, I opened the blinds. The old wooden desk was clean and tidy. I sit in the chair and call my secretary.
"Oh Hey Alec, where's Camille? I ask as Alec comes through the door.
"Welcome back, Jace. You secretary has left."
"Left? Why?"
"She didn't have any work because you were gone. So, she left." Well I guess now I have to look for a new secretary.
"Oh. Well, can you update me on what's going on in the company?"
"Of course." Alec walks over to my desk and tells me everything.
We need a partner. The company is suffering, badly. There is no way we can rise up ourselves.
"Um…there is a company that needs help. Dad was talking about it." Alec says.
I look at him. "Okay, which one?"
"Morgenstern Industries," He says. I know he is looking at me. Waiting for a reaction.
I know what he is thinking. I will say no. It's Clary's dad's company. And I want nothing to do with her. But the company needs a partner and Morgenstern Industries is pretty big.
"Can you please book a meeting of me with Valentine Morgenstern?" I ask Alec.
Alright. That is Chapter 5. Review! Review! If you have any questions or suggestions, leave it in the Review.