Chapter four-Tell Me Why You're Here and Who You Are?

December 26, 2005 12:01 P.M. -Metropolis Bank-

      "So you want to put $250 in your savings and $245 in your checking? Is that correct?" Chloe asked the gentleman on the other side of the counter

      "Yes ma'am," he told her.

      "OK," Chloe said and began typing away.

      "Can you tell me how to get a debit card?" The man asked as Chloe typed.

      "Did you want one?" Chloe asked.

      "Yes. Writing checks is a hassle." He admitted.

      Chloe placed a form in front of him. "Just fill that out. I'll set it up and you'll have it in seven to ten days."

      The man went on filling out the form when Chloe heard a knock on her doorframe.

      She looked up to see Lex Luthor standing there with a smile on his face. "Lex." She said, the surprise evident in her voice.

      The man looked up from his form to Lex. Chloe got up from her desk and walked up to Lex, gently gesturing for him to go outside of the office. She stuck her head out of her office and asked, "What are you doing here?"

      "It's a bank, Chloe. Do you think I bury my money in the backyard? Anyway, I saw you and had to say hi," he told her.

      "Oh," Chloe said, feeling slightly dumb.

      "How are you?" Lex asked.

      Chloe looked back at the man in her office and noticed he was almost done filling out the form. "Lex, I can't really talk right this second."

      He glanced at his watch. "I suppose not. You are with a client. But, you should have a lunch coming soon, yes?"

      Chloe blushed, knowing full well what he was implying. "Lex," was all she could manage to say.

      "What? You work all day. You gotta eat too. Coincidentally, despite the rumors, I do have to eat as well. Is it wrong for me to want to eat in the same restaurant and at the same table at the same time as you?" Lex asked.

      Chloe shook her head at him. He was really laying out the charm. She sighed. "I suppose there's no harm in that."

      "I told you. So, could you maybe give me a guess that would happen to be exact about what time you'll be eating Lunch?" He asked her, with a smile.

      Chloe was transfixed by his smile. It was the same one she saw yesterday.

      "What is it?" Lex asked. "Do I really smile that weird?"

      Chloe laughed. "No, it's not that. I'm just still getting used to your smile. I've never seen one like it."

      Lex stared at her.

      "It's a great smile Lex," she assured him.

      "Not quite as beautiful as yours," he told her.

       He definitely wouldn't give up. She looked at her watch then said, "Twenty-five minutes."

      "Great," Lex said and left to wait.

      Chloe turned around and went back to her desk. "Sorry about that sir."

      "It's all right. It's sweet that your boyfriend wants to have Lunch with you," the man commented.

      Chloe barely paid attention to the man as she watched Lex walking off to sit down in the waiting area.

      "Ma'am," the man called her to attention.

      She looked at him. "Sorry. Oh, he's not my boyfriend. Just a...acquaintance."

      "To you maybe. But, I think he likes you," the man said with a smile as he handed her the form he had been filling out.

      Chloe just smiled and took the form.

      "Thank you for your help today," the man said.

      "No problem. Your debit card will be in the mail in seven to ten days. Oh and if you use it as a credit card you won't be charged any fees the stores charge," Chloe informed him.

      "Thanks for the tip," the man said then got up to leave.

      "Have a nice day." Chloe told him.

      "You too." 

      Chloe looked at her watch, 10 minutes left. She considered leaving early but that may make him think she was anxious. She leaned back in her chair and decided to wait. She watched the clock. After a minute passed she got up and put on her coat.

      "What the hell. I am anxious anyway. Besides, I just got done with the client early," she told herself under her breath.

      She walked up to where Lex was seated. He looked up at her and smiled. "Chloe!" He looked at his watch to check the time.

      "I got done early with the client," Chloe told him with a smile.

      "Great!" Lex stood up and offered to link arms with her.   

      She accepted.

      "Lunch is my treat. So, pick anywhere you want to go," Lex told her.

      "That's sweet of you, Lex."

      "That's right. I'm just sweet ol' Lex." He opened the door to his BMW 328 silver coupe for her to get in.

      "Thank you. I didn't realize you were a gentleman as well," Chloe joked.     

      Lex climbed into the driver's seat. "So, where to?"

      "Uh...you pick. I haven't had the chance to go to any of the great restaurants here in Metropolis." Chloe said.

      "None?" Lex asked, surprised. "What kind of a boyfriend doesn't take his girlfriend to any of the nice restaurants here?"

      Chloe eyed Lex suspiciously then laughed. "I don't have a boyfriend."

      "Really?" Lex asked.

      "Is that so much of a surprise?" Chloe asked.

      "Actually...yes it is. I was sure some college frat boy had swept you off your feet by now," Lex told her. "Or at least another writer."

      Chloe laughed. "Well, my heart belongs to only one man."

      Clark, Lex thought.

      "Josh Hartnett," Chloe told him and laughed.

      Lex stared at her before realizing the whole thing was a joke and laughed with her.

      "So, you work at a bank. What else do you do?" Lex asked.

      "I go to school at Metropolis University," Chloe informed him.

      "Let me guess...Premed right?" Lex joked.

      Chloe laughed.

      Lex smiled as he watched her laugh.

      Chloe noticed he was watching her and blushed. Lex quickly looked away when he was caught.

      "You might want to watch the road. I don't feel like dying at the tender age of 19. I have bigger plans to fulfill," Chloe said to him.

      "I guess I got caught," Lex said, knowing he was caught.

      "Just a little. So, I should tell you it's rude to stare at someone and not tell him or her exactly what is on their face," Chloe said, revealing how oblivious she was to the real reason he was staring at her.

      Lex was relieved. "You...uh...had something on your face, but it's not there anymore."

      Chloe rubbed her face to make sure and then said, "Thanks."

      "No problem," he said and breathed a sigh of relief.

To be continued...