Chapter 4 - Least Expected
Chloe had worked all afternoon to clean up her apartment. Living alone as a high school student had taught her that there is a reason people that have maids do.
Lex. She giggled knowing Lex had never had pick up anything for himself. Wonder if he could do laundry if he had to. Or cook. Then again why would you want to if you didn't have to.
"Disturbing you?" Chloe looked up from the spot she obviously had been dusting for about a minute. Lex walked across the room and mused, "looks clean, shines better than my head."
"Sorry, I was, never mind." Chloe peeled her gloves off and put away the cleaning products. She felt embarrassed that Lex saw her looking like she did. Coming around the corner, she noticed Lex thumbing through a couple of books he had brought her. "I need a shower if you have time to wait."
"Go, I'm just going to read through your paper and get some Chloe insight on the Abelard and Heloise."
Why would you pick something so completely out there. Chloe, the Crusades – easy, but not for you.
Lex could hear the shower start as he sat down proceeding to read the most interesting paper on the first documented love letter ever written.
Interesting topic – kind of a reach for a romantic novel.
"Hello," Lex put down the paper and started pacing the floor like he often did on the phone, "repeat that please…" He paused. "They are sure of natural causes? Thank you. I'll call you with directions later. No press – no obit." Lex hung up his phone and sat down at Chloe's dining room table.
"Hey Lex, you want to order something in or go out real quick, I'm starved," Chloe called from the closed bedroom. She waited for an answer and didn't get one. She walked out to see Lex sitting at her table, fingers intertwined in a clenched fist under his chin. "Lex," she spoke softly, "what is it?"
"Chloe, come sit down." He took Chloe's hand as she stared at him. Looking Chloe straight in the eyes, he paused and then finished, "your father passed away this afternoon. They just called me and."
Chloe let go of Lex's hand and walked across the room. She turned to face Lex and started sobbing profusely.
"Chloe, he had a heart attack – no foul play – they think he went while napping. Chloe." Lex turned and leapt out of the chair just in time to catch Chloe in his arms before she hit the floor. She just shook and cried. Leaning her head up against his chest, he pushed her hair out her face and continued to rub her head to console her, "let it out."
Chloe couldn't remember getting to the bedroom the night before. She still could feel herself shaking. Moving to the bathroom, she looked in the mirror and saw her bloodshot eyes. A bottle of pills lying on the counter told her that she must have taken a relaxer the night before. She was still dressed in the clothes from the afternoon before. She leaned against the bathroom wall and continued to cry.
Now my dad is gone. There's no one now. She paused and listened.
Lex – is he still here?
She washed her face and walked out into the living room, seeing Lex in the kitchen – cooking.
Guess he can if he has to.
"Morning, feeling any better?" He looked at her in sadness, he knew the question didn't quite come out right, but words escaped him at the moment.
"Yeah, I guess. Thanks for you know everything – where'd you sleep?" He pointed at the blanket and pillow he had stolen out of the closet.
"Uncomfortable as hell. You test your furniture before you buy it?" He knew it wasn't funny but was trying to get her to smile at least once.
Chloe cracked enough of a smile for Lex to see her teeth just slightly. Sitting down at the table, she started thumbing through the stack of documents with her father's name on them.
Life Insurance, Mortgage, Stock Portfolio, Will, Credit Card statements – I can't do this
Lex picked up the papers in front of her and set them on the coffee table. Walking back by her, he rubbed her back to help soothe her. He returned a couple minutes later, putting breakfast on the table. Sitting down across from her, he looked at her matter-of-factly, "eat."
"I can't believe he's gone; I want to see him."
"You will; they're prepping him for burial." Lex reached out to touch her hand and reassure her.
"Burial? Here?" Lex shook his head.
"It's already in the works; you're going home for the funeral. It'll be a short trip and only you, I, and a preacher but he needs to buried in Smallville."
Knowing that Lex was taking huge steps for her, she whimpered, "thank you," as she walked around the table to hug him. "But I don't know anything about…" She pointed at the papers on the table. Lex pointed at her plate.
"You eat and I'll talk." He waited until she sat down. "The bills are taken care of; credit cards closed. Your father had left a small sum of money in a fund for you as well as all of his stock and bond options for you. I will just have you sign the papers needed and will start transferring items into your name." Chloe was dumbstruck.
"How do I take care of stocks – business is kind of your thing."
Lex looked at her and smiled, "I told you I would protect you. That means investments too. Trust me."
Chloe looked up from her now empty plate and smiled through her tears. "Thank you for everything. By the way, you can cook for me anytime." Lex didn't respond but just sat back in the chair, crossing his arms and smiling at her.