Chapter Seven-Beautiful Day

Lex wasn't sure how long he'd been staring out his office window at the city of Metropolis, but he figured it had been over an hour. He didn't care and if he did he wouldn't know it. He hadn't slept a wink and yet he didn't seem tired at all.

One thing had not left his mind-Chloe.

It was not like he minded at all. Thinking about Chloe gave him relief, yet a small voice in his mind sounded frightened. He knew what its worries were. It worried that Chloe would reject her feelings for him, if she had any. It worried that Clark would suddenly come to sweep her off her feet. Or worse, it worried that Chloe would decide he wasn't good enough for her.

It was a small voice. The big voice was full of happiness and joy. All it could think of was talking to or seeing Chloe again. It thought of a perfect date, getting to know her, hearing what she had to say, and having her listen to what he had to say.

"Lex."

Lex snapped out of his thoughts. He turned around and the sight of his father suddenly gave him an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion. Lex sighed.

"Nothing to say?" His father asked.

"Is there ever anything to say?" Lex asked his father.

"I'm your Father. You could give me a better greeting," his father said.

Lex moved to sit down and said, "I could, but you don't deserve it."

His father huffed. "Lex, this disrespect is-"

"No, no. Don't talk to me about disrespect. Don't complain to me. Don't talk to me like I'm your son. Cause I'm not," Lex said.

"You're not my son? This is a new one," his father said.

"No, this isn't a new one. It's always been and you know that. We're Father and son for show. You know that." Lex said.

His father stayed quiet.

"So, what business venture or event is coming up that you came to see me? Because, I know this is not a social call," Lex said.

His father sighed, "Kirby Industries is holding the annual New Years Eve Ball and Luthor Industries has been invited."

"So? You don't need me there. Besides, it's Luthor Industries that was invited not Lex Industries," Lex pointed out.

"You should make an appearance," his father suggested.

"Why? Oh, that's right. If the father is there then the son should be too. As I stated, father and son for show," Lex said.

"Lex-"

"Relax. I'll be there," Lex said.

His father just stared at him.

"You can leave now," Lex said.

His father stood there for a second before finally turning around and leaving the office.

After his father left, Lex turned his chair around to look out his office window again. Chloe entered his mind and he smiled.

Chloe swept her apartment joyfully, making it seem as if sweeping was the coolest thing in the world. The smile on her face was ear to ear. She didn't think anything could damper her mood.

She finished sweeping and sat down at the kitchen table. She took in a breather. Lex Luthor had been in her mind all night. He refused to leave. There was just something so captivating about him. His smile could put her in a state of drunkenness. She couldn't remember any other time when someone else had done that to her, not even Clark.

Suddenly, at the mention of Clark, her dreamy state left. The rational side began to creep in. What if Lex was just thinking of her as another toy? What if he didn't take her seriously? What if he didn't intend anything serious about them at all?

Chloe sighed. She didn't want to feel like this. She didn't like this doubt. She remembered how when she first encountered Lex she told herself she didn't want to be Smallville gossip.

"It's no use thinking about it. It's not like you'll get any kind of conclusion," Chloe said to herself then decided to get up and get dressed for work. She combed through her closet for nice pants and a blouse.

She closed her eyes. Doubts about her relationship…er…whatever it was they had were creeping in her head. Never had she wanted a cigarette more in her life than right this second. She sat on the edge of her bed and buried her face in her hands.

"All right Chloe, think. What can you do to get this craving away?" Chloe opened her drawer and pulled out some gum then stuffed it in her mouth.

She sighed.

"It'll have to do."

She finished getting dressed and left for work.

Lex walked the cold streets of Metropolis, tightening his trench coat. He hadn't planned to go anywhere, but he knew his feet were taking him to Metropolis Bank. And it wasn't to deposit or get money. It was too see Chloe.

"Ohmigod."

Lex stopped when he heard the voice behind him. He was too shocked to turn around. This was the last voice he had wanted to hear. In fact, it was adding fuel to his fire of doubts when it came to Chloe. But, he's Lex Luthor, and he knew he had too at least pretend to keep his cool.

"I can't believe it's you," Clark said, still staring at the back of Lex's head.

"Well, well…could that be the voice of Kent?" Lex asked, turning around to look at Clark.

"Lex Luthor."

"My God, it is you. What are you doing here, Clark?" Lex asked, curiously.

"I'm moving here," Clark told him. "Metropolis University."

"You transferred," Lex concluded. Just great, Lex thought.

Clark nodded.

"Does Chloe know?" Lex asked.

"You've been hanging out with Chloe?" Clark asked, surprised. He never could imagine Chloe and Lex as friends.

Lex remained quiet, pretending to be distracted by people passing by.

"Anyway," Clark said, trying to find what was so interesting to Lex about the people passing by. "This is going to be a big surprise to Chloe."

"You mean you didn't tell her over Christmas?" Lex asked.

Chloe must have talked to him again, Clark thought to himself. Enough to tell him her Christmas plans. Clark shook his head. "I wanted her to know when I arrived here permanently."

Permanently…Lex didn't like that word.

"I can't believe it's been three years," Clark said.

Lex didn't hear him. A million things were going through his mind.

"Lex? You all right?" Clark asked.

Lex looked up at him.

"You seem a bit distracted," Clark said.

Lex shook his head as if it would help then said, "Uh…No…it's just…business."

Clark nodded, "Oh." He smiled and added, "Business is always on your mind."

More like Chloe is always on my mind these days. But, I'm sure you know about that Clark. I can just tell by your eyes, Lex thought to himself. "Well, you know me Kent," Lex said with a laugh.

Clark smiled.

"So…are you going to see Chloe right now?" Lex asked.

Clark nodded, "I am. Would you happen to know where I could find her at this time? She wasn't at her apartment."

Lex knew that he shouldn't be telling Clark anything. He could always lead him in the wrong direction or tell him he just didn't know. But, for some reason, getting Chloe and a conscious was a package deal. "Metropolis Bank."

By the look on Clark's face Lex could tell that Clark found it strange that Lex knew where Chloe worked.

What Lex was about to say was something he knew would put Clark at ease, so then, why the hell was he saying it? "I happened to run into her yesterday while making a deposit. She works there…I believe."

Lex didn't know if he wanted to slap himself for putting Clark at ease or slap Clark for looking relieved.

Lex turned around and pointed to a tall silverish building. "That's Metropolis Bank, right there."

Lex was boiling inside and it was his own fault. "Thanks Lex. I…uh…guess we'll talk sometime."

Lex nodded, though he had no intention of trying to get a hold of Clark ever again. Unless of course if in some way it would help keep him away from Chloe, "See yah around, Clark."

"Bye." Clark walked towards Metropolis Bank.

Lex watched him walk towards his destination-Chloe. Then Lex turned and walked away in the opposite direction of the bank.