Disclaimer: see Chapter 1.
CHAPTER 7: Farewell and a Wish
LUTHOR MANOR-1997
Holidays had begun and Lana was back in Metropolis- more specifically at Luthor Manor- this time to accompany Nell on business. Lionel Luthor was organizing a costume ball for a hundred guests at home and had hired Lana's aunt to provide all the flower arrangements for the event. Nell had almost turned down the engagement, thinking the organisation of the do was beyond the capabilities of her small shop. However, Lionel's business proposition made her change her mind,. The cheque would cover her and Lana's expenses for over a year, and she would definitely not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Lana, in the meantime, had been in two minds about the trip. Her first reaction had been to ask Nell whether she could stay in Smallville with her friend Suzanne. In fact, she dreaded witnessing another bitter father-son argument. Lana had never been fond of confrontations and couldn't understand how Lionel treated his own flesh and blood.Still, accompanying Nell would give her the chance to return the books Alexander had lent her and, maybe, catch a glimpse of the younger Luthor himself.
On arriving at the Manor, Lana and Nell were welcomed by Jarvis, who showed them to the same bedrooms they had stayed in on their previous visit. The charity ball was that very night, and Nell immediately plunged into the arrangements with zest so as to have enough time to change before the arrival of the guests. Both she and Lana had been invited to attend, and Nell had even rented the girl a costume to wear but Lana was adamant- disguises reminded her too much of the day her parents had met their death.
" Are you sure you still don't want to attend ? There's no need for you to wear the costume. You can put on something else. "
" I'd rather not, Nell. I can have a peek from the stairs. Don't worry about me. If I get bored, I'll get something to read. "
The party was in full swing when Lana saw a broad-shouldered man in a black suit approach Lionel and whisper something in his ear. Leaning on the banister, Lana could read the expression on Lionel's face clearly and realised the words had unsettled him. He made excuses and left the room, stopping on his way out to have a few words with Nell. Lana decided to follow his lead and left the party as well- she had seen enough and was starting to get bored.
After changing into her nightdress and cleaning her teeth, Lana unzipped her travel bag and fumbled for her half-read novel to find it missing.
" Now, what ? " she said aloud. She didn't feel like going to sleep yet and there was nothing in her room to kill time. " Well, I'll have to go downstairs again. I'm sure I'll find something worth-reading in the library., " she thought , picking up the piece of cake she'd brought up with her.
She sneaked into the library and started to browse the shelves until she decided on Jane Austen's " Pride and Prejudice " which, according to Suzanne, was highly entertaining. She settled in the wing chair that had been her favourite on the previous visit, and pinched the cream and chocolate cake with a fork when, suddenly, the door burst open.
" What were you thinking, son ? " exclaimed a furious Lionel.
" I wasn't thinking, dad. There was no time to think when he put a knife to her throat. I did what any friend would have done, I protected her. "
" You and the scum you hang out with. When will you remember who you are ? You are destined to greater things ! "
" Don't you dare call Amanda scum ! She's the sweetest girl I've ever met. I'm glad I did what I did, as to who I am... you've never bothered to find out who I was or what I wanted out of life. It's been always you- the great LIONEL LUTHOR. You, self-centred bastard ! At least mum was lucky enough to get away from you. I wish she had taken me with her when she died so I wouldn't torment myself with the thought of becoming a true Luthor at last ! "
¨ Lillian never understood I wanted to teach you that to survive in this world you have to learn to fight and be strong. And when I look at you I see her weakness and realize what a failure I've been... I loved your mother but... "
" You didn't love her. How could you love her ? You don't know what love is ! "
Lana was cringing in the armchair, paralized and with watery eyes, when she heard a blow and then a heavy thump.
" I fervently hope some day I'll meet someone who can teach me how to love because you've certainly been one lousy teacher. And let me tell you one more thing: I'm glad you see mum in me for it means that there's still a part of me that you haven't touched and that can be saved, " said Lex to Lionel's back, wiping the blood off his face.
" As of this moment, I wash my hands of you ! We'll see if you're good enough to clean up your own mess in the future, son ! " snapped Lionel, shutting the door behind him.
The tears that had been gathering in Lana's eyes were now trailing softly down her cheeks. She had never in her wildest dreams imagined two people could use words to hurt each other so much. In her experience disagreements would normally end up with her aunt sending her to bed without dessert or grounding her for a week until they made amends eating her favourite sundae.
Unaware of Lana' s presence, Lex walked to the wet bar and poured himself a drink. The girl heard him swallow the booze in one gulp and then smash the tumbler into the fireplace before he collapsed onto the sofa and dissolved into tears. She didn't know what to do or how to help him. It was the first time she saw- or rather heard- a man cry and thought revealing her presence would only make him feel more miserable than he already was. Therefore, she tried to pull herself together and waited for his sobbing to ebb away.
Three-quarters of an hour later, when she realised he had fallen asleep, she stood up, picked up paper and pen and wrote a note to leave next to the cake.
" Chocolate always helps. Enjoy. "
Your invisible friend.
Nell and Lana packed their bags early the following morning and climbed down the stairs to find Lionel's chauffeur waiting for them in the hall.
" Nell, I'll only be a minute. I have to return a book I've borrowed from the library. "
" OK, honey. I'll wait for you in the car. "
The library door was ajar and Lana hesitated for fear that Alexander could still be in the room. She peered inside and, verifying it was empty, she walked in. No sooner did she close the door behind her than she noticed a white envelope penned in a very masculine handwriting. She picked up the missive addressed to 'My invisible friend ', opened it and unfolded the paper inside.
Dear invisible friend,
I'm sorry you had to witness our argument last night and I appreciate your discretion.
I've noticed you've taken ' Pride and Prejudice ' off the shelf. Feel free to take it home along with any other book. Have you already read ' Jane Eyre ' ? ( You'll find it on the shelf immediately below Jane Austen. )
Hope to " see " you some time soon.
Yours,
LL
PS: I'm obliged for the chocolate cake. You were right, it helped.
She folded back the letter and put it away in her rucksack along with the Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. Then, she set left the books she'd borrowed on her previous visit on the shelves and, taking a last look at the library, she closed the door behind her- wondering whether she would come again some time. Lana hoped there would be an opportunity to thank Alexander for the treasures he had shown her. She would love to call him ' friend ' face to face one day.
Well, what are your impressions on this new installmets ? Would you like to read what happens with Lex and Lana in the present ? Then, leave your review and you'll soon find out !
