Disclaimer. see Chapter 1
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Enjoy !
CHAPTER 3: Revenge's Sweet
Helen couldn't believe she had miscalculated Lex's reaction so grossly- or rather his lack of reaction. She had counted on him lashing out but hadn't expected this apathy. However, she was certain of one thing: he was madly in love with Lana, and the girl must harbour deep feelings for Lex to have convinced him not to strike back. Therefore, if the young woman felt as much for him as he did for her, there was only one course of action open, and Helen would definitely take it. Oh, the sweet taste of revenge !
A month after her arrival from Italy, Lana had regained her self-esteem. Not only was she pleased with her job at the gallery but she also felt she was making a difference with her volunteer work at the shelter. Despite his earlier reservations, Lex had supported her decision- although, knowing his suspicious nature, Lana was certain he had had everyone in the centre checked and double-checked before giving her his sanction. Still, there was a cloud on Lana's horizon; she didn't have a clue as to where she stood in Lex's heart.
In the meantime, Lex had finally reached a decision. He would take the first step to approach Lana, hoping the time and space he had given her had been enough. In fact, it hadn't taken him too long to realise that if he didn't do something soon, his tactic might backfire.He couldn't let his fear of how to handle a wounded Lana cripple him. It was his and Lana's happiness that was at stake, and it was high time he took the bull by the horns.
It was six o'clock in the evening and Lex was in his office at Lexcorp, getting ready to leave for Smallville, when his assistant brought him an envelope addressed to him and marked confidential.
" Who's delivered this, Jennifer ? " asked Lex, eying the envelope which had no return address.
" I wouldn't know, Mr Luthor. I found it on my desk when I came back from the toilet, " she said apologetically.
" It's all right, Jennifer. You may leave. In any case, we have the security tapes to identify the mysterious delivery boy. "
" Right, sir. See you tomorrow, then. "
" Goodnight, Jennifer. "
Being a Luthor, Lex was more than used to getting anonymous mail from time to time, and he knew how to handle it. However, the contents of this particular envelope came as a terrible blow to him. There were at least two dozen photos of Lana taken at different times of day, most of them showing her in the company of a young man he identified as Steve Kirk- another volunteer at the centre. Lex had had him investigated and had found nothing particularly threatening about the guy himself. Nevertheless, only a blind man wouldn't see the boy had more than a platonic interest in Lana.
Lex scattered the photos on the desk and his eyes fell on one in partcular. The picture showed the young couple locked in what appeared to be a passionate embrace. Damn his overly cautious nature, he had given her too much space !
The younger Luthor let himself be controlled by his jealousy. He grabbed the envelope and the Porsche keys and drove at a breakneck speed back to Smallville. By the time he crossed the gates to the mansion, his temper had cooled considerably and his mind was in a whirl. Who could have had those pictures taken and delivered at his door ? The purpose was now clear to him: whoever had sent them knew what he felt for Lana and how he would react. He'd have to wait until the morning to check those security tapes in search of some answers.
He parked the Porsche in the garage and saw the lights at the guesthouse weren't on yet. He was thinking of paying Lana a visit later, when he heard a car stop in front of the mansion. Although it was already dark, he could make out Lana and the young man behind the wheel, Steve Kirk. Dismissing his previous apprehension, Lex started to walk towards the back of the house when, suddenly, curiosity made him turn around.
Half an hour and three bourbons later, Lex knocked on Lana's door.
" What a nice surprise ! " exclaimed Lana. " Lex ? What's the matter ? " she asked concernedly, noticing the smell of bourbon on Lex's breath.
"May I come in ? Don't be afraid, Lana. I'd never touch a hair on your head. "
" I know you wouldn't, Lex. Please, come in, " she said, opening the door for him to enter.
" How well do you know Steve Kirk, Lana ? "
" What ? " asked a surprised Lana.
" You've heard me, Lana. How well ? "
" He does volunteer work at the centre. His father's an alcoholic who used to beat him and his mum. "
"What else ? "
" Nothing else, Lex. Why ? "
" What's going on between you two ? "
" What do you mean ? "
" You know what I mean, Lana. I saw you out there... "
" I don't know what you think you saw, Lex. "
" Don't patronise me, Lana. He kissed you and you let him get near you while you've kept me off for months. "
" It wasn't like that, Lex, " said a teary Lana. " He means nothing to me, Lex. He kissed me, yes, but I didn't return his kiss. "
" Was this the first time he tried to kiss you ? Has he tried anything improper on you ? "
" There was another time. And, no, Lex. He fancies he's in love with me but he's not a violent guy. "
"Would you tell me if he or anyone ever tried to force you to do something you didn't want to, Lana ? "
" I wouldn't let anyone touch me but you, Lex, " murmured Lana.
" Do you trust me that much ? " he asked, tipping her chin up and looking her straight in the eye.
" I love you, Lex, " she answered with a catch in her voice.
" I love you too, dear. You don't know how much, " he said, giving her a passionate kiss. " I should leave now, Lana. It's the wisest thing to do. "
" I won't break, Lex. "
" It should be perfect, Lana, and I've been drinking. Sleep tight, love. Tomorrow'll be another day, " he said, placing a soft kiss on her lips before shutting the door of the guesthouse behind him.
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