Disclaimer: see a complete desclaimer in Chapter 1.
A/N: Here's a two part update. Thanks for your encouraging reviews. Keep them coming !
CHAPTER 10: Call me Lex
The negotiation over Max Ernst's sculpture took Lex close to an hour. Despite the fact that Massari had sold him several of his most treasured artworks, and that the Italian had always been a clever and funny conversationalist, Lex couldn't stop thinking about the American girl he had met in the salesroom. The tears which had gathered in her eyes when she had addressed him, and the information about her that Massari had volunteered, had unsettled him. What if God had put Massari in his way for another purpose besides giving him the chance to add an Ernst to his collection ? Could it be He had remembered Lex Luthor after so long ?
Meanwhile, Lana was trying to pull herself together in the employees' bathroom. She freshened up, changed into her street clothes and touched up her make-up to put some colour back on her cheeks. Coming face-to-face with Lex after three years, and confirming he hadn't deny her existence on the phone out of anger or resentment, but because he actually didn't remember her, had put her world upside down. She was looking forward to talking to him like she used to in the past, but she didn t know how to handle the situation. However, as it was customary when dealing with Lex, it was him who turned up with a solution.
" Excuse me, Miss Lang, " said Lex, making use of his perfect good manners. " This may sound strange to you and, believe me, I'm not trying to make a pass at you... but I've got the feeling there's a connection between us. Please, tell me you're not offended, " pleaded Lex.
" I'm not, Mr Luthor, " she answered with a sweet smile.
" I wouldn't like to push my luck but... would you accept to have lunch with a fellow American ? "
" I'm afraid I can't, " responded Lana. " However, if you're still in Florence tonight, we may have dinner together, " offered Lana, seeing his former disappointment clear.
" I'd love that. But are you sure you don't object to dining with a perfect stranger ? "
" We aren't perfect strangers, you said so yourself, Mr Luthor. Besides you're a gentleman, aren't you ? And Signor Massari holds you in high esteem. "
" I promise you my intentions are honourable, " added Lex, surprised the woman had accepted the invitation so quickly. Had she been another girl, he would have had second thoughts but she didn't strike him as the kind of female who would go after a chequebook. " What time shall I pick you up ? "
" I have another idea. How about sharing some Italian homemade cooking ? My roommate Paola is an excellent cook. What do you say ? "
" Wouldn't it be too much of an imposition, Miss Lang ? You scarcely know me, " answered a surprised Lex.
" It'd be a pleasure. Paola'd love to have someone at the table who knows what he's eating for a change. Her brother Vincenzo has dinner with us from time to time, but his tastes are hardly refined. "
" OK, Miss Lang, I'm on. What shall I bring ? " he asked with his trademark smile.
" A bottle of wine will do. I'll leave the choice to you, " responded Lana while writing down her address." Here you are, Mr..., " she said, handing him the slip of paper.
" Lex, Call me Lex, Miss Lang, " he interrupted her.
" OK, Lex. Then you can call me Lana. Dinner'll be ready by eight. Does that sound all right to you ? " asked a blushing Lana.
" Perfect. Until eight, then, " he answered.
Lex couldn't remember feeling so confused in his rapport with a woman before. Somehow shaking hands with Lana seemed too formal, but he didn't want to risk trespassing boundaries by kissing the girl on the cheek so he just smiled at her. Yet his gesture didn't feel mechanic for once. He couldn't help but sense that night's dinner would be a meal hard to forget.
" È lui, vero ? L'amico che credevi morto ?" Massari asked Lana when Lex left the gallery.
( It's him, right ? The friend you believed to be dead ?
" Yes, " said a tearful Lana. " He doesn't know who I am. "
" Are you sure, cara ? I think his heart has recognised you. "
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