Here is chapter 8

Clary POV:

I woke up to the bright light shining in my eyes. Last night was very emotional and tiring. After crying my heart out to my father, I finally went to bed.

Getting out of the bed, I looked at my phone and it blinked 7:40 am. I had a couple of texts from Izzy, one from Simon, and one from an unknown number. Also, there were a bunch of emails. I decided to check them later.

The shower was amazing and relaxing. I got dressed in denim skinny jeans, a lilac sweater, and my favorite, grey Gills platform slip-on sneakers. Putting my hair in a messy bun and swiping on some mascara, I was ready to face the day.

"Good morning, Dorothea," I say cheerfully as I sit down on the breakfast bar.

"Morning sweetheart," Dorothea replies before continuing making breakfast. I was the first one up so I decided to use this time and check my texts and emails.

The emails were from my galleries, notifying me about the paintings and the customers.

Somehow, Izzy figured it out that I was in New York and she wanted to meet up. I texted her back saying this weekend we can go to the club or something.

I had told Simon I was in the States. He wants me to go see the new Avengers movie because Izzy refused to go with him. I told him I would love to. It's been a while since I hung out with my best friend.

The last text was from an unknown number. It says, "I am glad you are with mom and Dad. Thank you so much for doing this Clarebare and I am sorry."

I knew it was Jonathan. He was the only one who calls me 'Clarebear'. I texted him asking where he was. I want to meet him and ask him why he left mom and Dad.

Jonathan and I are not the closest but still, we care about each other. From what my parents told me, Jon has anger issues. He gets mad real quick. He was sent to the boarding school because he would get into a lot of fights. The teachers couldn't control him, mom and dad couldn't control him.

They had to send him there because of his anger and also because he was behind his education. He would fight a lot and then get suspended or expelled.

Dad had enough so he sent him away. We only saw him on special occasions. When he was 18, he came back home and went to NYU. Dad tried to train him to be the company's CEO but he was never in it. He had accepted Dad's offer to run the family business. I have no clue who will run the company now. I already told Dad that I didn't want to do it. And he understood.

"Good morning!" I say as I enter my parent's bedroom. Dad was brushing his hair and mom was brushing her teeth. I gave them both a quick hug and give Dad his medicine.

"Thank you, Clare," Dad smiles and I walk over to mom to give her, her medicine. "I have something important to talk to you about. Can you please come to my study after breakfast?"

"Yeah sure," I tell him and walk out to Magnus's room.

"Morning Cherry," Magnus says as he runs around the room.

"Mag, what are you doing?" I ask him as he looks under the couch.

"I am looking for my glitter bottle."

"Are you going somewhere?" I look at his suitcase.

"Uh yeah, mom and dad wanted to meet me so I will stay with them for a few days, maybe weeks, I don't know. So I am going to Rochester." He says as he finds the glitter bottle. It was under his pillow. He hugged it and then dumped the whole bottle on himself. , what's

"Ahhhh, I am complete!" He exclaims.

I laugh and we walk to the kitchen for breakfast.

Breakfast was quite and soon I was hugging Magnus goodbye. I walked to my father's study and knocked on the door.

"Hi," I say as I take a seat in front of my dad.

"Clary, how are you doing?"

"I am well, father. What did you want to talk about?" Dad takes a deep breath and stays quiet.

"Dad, what's wrong? What's going on?" I am started to get worried. Whatever it is that's bothering dad, I want to take it away.

"Clary, you know your grandpa, worked really hard to build our business. Because of him and the company, we have all this," he gestures to the house. Indicating our wealth and house.

"And I worked harder to make this business better. This company and house mean a lot to us. It has been passed down to us. Now as you know, I don't have that long,"

"Dad…" I start but he interrupts me.

"Let me finish like I was saying, I don't have much time left. Before all this happened, Jonathan leaving and all. You know I was going to give him the business and you the house because that is what you and Jon wanted," I knew that. This is why I followed my dreams and became an artist.

"But now with Jonathan gone, I want you to have both. I know, I know, you don't want the business or are qualified but please. You are my only daughter. And my only child."

I stay quiet. I don't know what to say. I don't want the family business because I have my own business.

"Dad, I don't know," I whisper. My head in my hands.

"I know Clare, you will not be alone. My whole team will help you out. You can run your business as well. I just don't want to sell our family business. I want you to pass it down to your kids. I want the company to stay in our family like it's supposed to."

"Dad, how am I going to run the company? I have no clue how to do it." I have majored in art. I have no idea how to run a business. I don't know how to be a CEO.

"Don't worry about that. I have someone who is willing to train you and help you whenever you want. Clary," Dad takes my hand, "Please. Can you do this for me? Please."

"Dad I need time." With that, I walk out.

"But Simon, I don't want to!" I tell into the phone. After the conversation with my dad, I went to my room and called Simon. He is the only one who can help me with this.

"Well do you have a choice?" He asks.

"No." I sulk and lay on my bed.

"Clary, don't you love your dad? He has been there for you every time. He has done so much for you. Can't you do this one thing for him?" He asks.

I am silent for a moment. Simon is right, Dad has given me everything I wanted. I always wanted to be like him. He's my role model.

"I guess you are right. I mean how hard can it be? I will have his whole team with me, helping me. Plus that trainer. I'll be okay." I say.

"I know you will be. Even I can help you."

"Thank you so much, Si."

We talk for a few more minutes and then we hang up.

"Dad, I am ready. I will do this for you." I tell dad as I enter his study.

I look up and freeze. In front of my dad is sitting a golden headed boy. A rush of emotions and memories came at me.

"Clary, come in. Sit." Dad says. I numbly walk over to the chair next to Jace and plop down.

"I am glad you decided to continue the family business. I am proud of you," Dad says as he places a file in front of me.

"Now, Clary, this is Jace Wayland. CEO of the Wayland Industries." Jace looks at me but I look straight ahead. My face expressionless.

"I know." I say as coldly as I can. From the corner of my eye, I see Jace flinch at my tone.

Dad clears his throat and says, "That's good that you know him. Clary, I know you won't like this but he will be training you."

"NO. Dad, he can't train me."

"Clary, Jace is the best out there. He can teach you so many things in so little time." Dad pleads.

"No, dad." I start to stand up when Dad stops me.

"Clary, wait. Hear us out. Hear our plan out." Our?

"Our plan? What do you mean?" I look between dad and Jace.

"Clary, I talked to your dad a couple days ago. My company is not doing too well. So, I asked Mr. Valentine to help us out. He is willing to lend us some financial help and in return, I train you." Jace stutters. He looks worried.

"Dad, he can't run his own company, how will he help me?!" I yell. This is unbelievable. I don't want Jace in my life.

"Clary-" dad starts but I stop him.

"No, Dad! He needs your help to run his company. He won't teach me shit! He is always busy fucking and drinking. How do you expect him to run his company and yours?"

"You better watch your language, young lady! I'll be right back," Dad scolds and walks out of the room.

"Hey, I am trying to get my act together here. Okay? I am trying. My company will be back on track in few months and as for my drinking and sleeping problems, that's none of your concern." Jace snaps at me.

"I am very well capable of running my company. And yours. That's why I am the best CEO out there. You should be honored that I, Jace Wayland, is willing to train you!"

"Fuck you, Jace. You don't have to train me. You don't have to do shit. But since you and your company is so fucking broke, you need my help." Jace scoffs at that.

"Oh please, I need your Dad's help, not yours."

I smirk and walk closer to him and bend down so I am right in his face.

"You are forgetting Jace. The Morgenstern Industries is my company now. You need my help, Blondie." He squirms uncomfortably. I smirk at him and straighten up.

Jace laughs. "Oh Poppy. Why do you don't want me to teach you? Are you scared that you will fall for me?"

I snort at that and say, "Fall for you? Oh please. I will never fall for a pig like you."

"Is that a challenge, Clary?" He asks tentatively. Raising a fair eyebrow at me.

Just when I was about to reply, Dad comes back.

"I am ready. Jace can train me." I tell him. In other words, Challenge accepted. I look at Jace and cock my head to the side and purse my lips. He has a hint of a smile on his face.

"Oh, that's great Clary," Clearly surprised. He was not expecting me to turn in this easily. "Read through this file. It has all the conditions that Jace has and you can add yours. Jace, can you please give us a moment?"

Jace nods and leaves the room.

"Clary," I look up from the file. "I have been with you through your worst and best times. Whatever you wanted, I gave it to you. I have seen you grow up. I have seen your first steps, your first words, I have seen you become a successful person. There is nothing more a father wants than to see his precious daughter walk down the aisle."

I look at him like he is crazy. "Dad, what are you trying to say?"

"I want you to know, that my dying wish is to walk you down the aisle." I gasp. "I know you are not ready or you don't want to but just think about it?"

"Dad, I would do anything for you. If you want to see me walk down the aisle then I will."

I leave the room with that. I know I said that I will walk down the aisle. I love my dad and I will do anything for him. Even if that means marrying a stranger. Although, I am sure dad will not make me marry a stranger. What my dad wants, is what he gets. If he wants me to marry, I will.

Clary still doesn't know she has to marry Jace. That will be in the next chapter. Review! Review!