Angels or Devils
Chapter 1
After four years of unknown phenomenon and dramatic teenage angst, the time had arrived to bid farewell to Smallville High and possibly the rest of the town. It was especially welcomed event for Lana, the young raven-haired beauty who had grown exhausted of the gossiping villagers. Granted, she had Clark, Chloe and Pete as her consoling and caring clique and unforgettable friends. Yet, there was this need, a desire at the pit of her heart and soul calling for something more... for something different. Perhaps it was the facade she wore of the sweet and fragile, yet head-strong "princess"... or perhaps, it was simply the unfulfilling life she had led up to that point.
But, everything was about to change. Hopefully, a turn for the better. Lana was graduating and heading for Metropolis's top fashion institute. Somewhere over the years she had developed a taste for designing clothes, so she decided to take the plunge and give it a try. Anything was better than enrolling at Metropolis University with Clark and Chloe, who would undoubtedly be too immersed in journalism and their couple-hood to spend time with her. Frankly, though, she just needed something... someone... different.
"The beginning to the unknown is finally here," Lana thought to herself as she stood on Lex Luther's balcony. She was gazing at the cloudless sky with an obscure full moon, feeling quite at ease while her friends and the rest of guest celebrated graduation. Lex had been kind enough to allow them to hold their festivities in his mansion, unbeknownst to his father.
Ignoring the crowd behind her, Lana lost herself in frivolous thoughts. Suddenly, her daze was interrupted by a familiar, overly-confident, yet unoffensive voice, "I sense a combination of relief and slight contentment."
She turned around instantly, feeling as if her feelings had been invaded. It was always like that with Lex... he always seemed to know how she felt. It had bothered her, but only because half the time she could never guess what he was thinking or feeling. Sometimes she thought she knew, but then he managed to quickly raise that god-forsaken wall that transformed him into cold, business Lex. It was no wonder they never ceased from bantering or increasing the level of sexual tension, which they both remained ignorant to. "As usual, you're quite observant," she replied nonchalantly. "Don't let that go to your head, though."
He smirked, nodding to the side, "As usual, your flattery never falls short from kindness. Really, it's too much."
"I'll try to contain myself next time," she contended sarcastically as she hopelessly attempted to hide her sly grin. Lana had to admit, she enjoyed these frequent battle of the wits.
Lex immediately noticed her trying to keep her brilliant smile from radiating. He knew she had a liking to these "friendly" battles, and, of course, he completely reveled in them. There was nothing better than admiring a fiery Ms. Lang. "Alright, all quips aside," he announced as he walked towards her and stood next to her. "Tell me... are you enjoying this shing-ding?"
"Yes... um, yeah I am," she stammered.
Lex shifted his gaze to her eyes, looking deep into them, an unnoticeably losing himself in them. Seconds passed when suddenly Lana felt a little uncomfortable and shied away from his gaze as her cheeks blushed a soft red. It brought the handsome businessman back to reality. He stirred from the daze and finally spoke, clearing his throat as it usually happened when he was around the ageless deity, "Um... No, really... tell me the truth."
"Truth is Lex, this is a wonderful party, but," she paused, directing her gazes towards the dark sky. "I'm finding that I rather just be here, on this balcony reveling in the thought that after this summer I will be away from Smallville."
"Bored of the unchanging faces, are we?" Lex smiled, empathizing with her current situation.
"More with my own," Lana answered with a hint of melancholy underneath her voice.
Slightly surprised, Lex looked to her, "Do you mean you're tired of hiding?"
"Maybe... and maybe, I just need to change." Her solemn voice quivered a little. "Maybe it'll happen this summer. I'll be working with C.Z. Morgan and perhaps she'll teach me a thing or two, add a little excitement to my life that won't sent me to the hospital, that is."
"You're working with that famous British designer," he asked, impressed by the news.
"Yeah," she replied.
"You don't need her to add excitement to your life, though," Lex asserted as he gently touched the side of her face, directing her gaze to meet his. Time had frozen in that instant, they were both astonished by his indiscretion, and yet could not help staring at each other... again, losing themselves to this unknown, unperceived gravitation. Somehow, however, Lex managed to return to earth, quickly taking control. Noticing she hadn't, he smiled slyly as he neared his face towards her. Lana stirred, alarmed at his advance... she was about to back away when he missed her cheek purposely and whispered to her ear, "Sometimes we tend to inadvertently dismiss what's right in front of us."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later...
Lana nervously tried to pick out her outfit in the early morning of the day. She wanted to be prepared for her first meeting with C.Z. Morgan, hoping that she'd take an early liking to her new apprentice. Finally, she picked an appropriate, almost business-like attire that suited her just fine for the first day at work. Now, all she had to do with head over to the Talon and open the door for Hannah and the rest of the employees. She rushed to her car and left, breezing past the Kent farm... there was no way she was going to be late or let anything get in the way of this important day.
Concentrating on the road ahead, Lana didn't notice the blazing black, topless porsche from behind, accelerating smoothly to the side of her car. "Lana," called the smirking face behind sleek sunglasses. "Lana! Don't you think you're going a tad too fast?!"
The determined driver jerked her head slightly, surprised by Lex's voice. She shifted her vision quickly to the suave-dressed Lex, "You're one to talk!"
Laughing, he adored the speeding beauty who fastened her pace to defy him. "Fine... have it your way," he yelled back as he pressed the accelerator and surged passed her. He waved back smugly, knowing that would get a rise out of her.
"Ahh," she groaned. She attempted to increase her velocity, but to no avail, she couldn't even get close to the racer way ahead of her, who she dimly saw from afar.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the Talon. Hannah and a couple of employees were already waiting for her at the entrance. "Hey, guys," she greeted. "Hope you're all doing well 'cause today is probably going to be a hectic day."
"No problem," Hannah assured. "By the way, Lex Luther passed by and told me to give you this." She handed Lana a note, who took it with a confused face.
She furrowed her eyebrows, recognizing his handwriting, she read to herself, "Get two black coffees... make sure one of them is strong, C.Z. likes them that way. See you soon, Lex."
"What's wrong, Lana," asked Hannah who noticed Lana's features contorting into anger.
"Nothing, I just hate it when I can't get it my way."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lex entered a white two-story house after knocking and waiting for two minutes. "C.Z.," he called out. "Are you in here?"
"Who's that," inquired the fifty-year old British designer as she stepped down the steps with a cigarette in mouth. Taking notice of her visitor, she smiled, "Alexander."
"Lex," he corrected with a grin. "How are you, C.Z.?"
"Quite well, in fact," she replied, taking his hand and leading him towards the living room. "I think Smallville is suiting me just fine. You were right, it's good be away from the 'hustle and bustle' of Metropolis."
Sitting down, he nodded in agreement. "I'm glad to hear it."
"Now, young Luthor... answer me this," C.Z. inhaled from her cigarette. "To whom do I owe this pleasant visit?"
"You mean, to what," Lex amended, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"No, I believe I was correct the first time," she smirked. "If I am correct, and usually I am, I believe today is a Ms. Lana Lang's first day as my intern."
Lex rolled his eyes slightly and sighed. "Alright," he surrendered, but quickly asserted his infamous, dryly smooth voice. "I just wanted make sure Lana was in good hands and would remain that way until the end of her internship. I wouldn't want to find out later that one of the shrewdest businesswoman in all of Metropolis was taking advantage of someone close to the Luthor family."
C.Z. arched one of her eyebrows, smiling inwardly as she whiffed from her cigarette. "Lex, my dear lad, I don't think any threats are necessary," she contended. "Ms. Lang will be treated like a student and nothing else. And, if she happens to have any qualms with me, I think the situation can be handled appropriately. Nevertheless, I'm sure everything will work out well."
"Ms. Morgan, do not play games which will not benefit your outcome," he eyed her with a hint of warning.
C.Z. stared at Lex, finding it quite amusing that he'd go this far of an extent for an eighteen year old girl. "My, we seemed to be quite smitten," she laughed. "I cannot wait to meet Ms. Lang...."
"Hello... Ms. Morgan," Lana's insecure voice called from the door.
"Speaking of the devil," C.Z. remarked as she stood up. "Ms. Lang, please come in... I'm in the living room."
Lana followed the trail of the British accent with obvious years of smoking, and stepped into the living room. Carrying a holder with two black coffees, she greeted her new employer, not knowing she wasn't the only one in the room, "Hi, Ms. Morgan. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine... is that coffee I smell," she inquired as she directed her gaze to the cup.
"Oh, yes... strong, black coffee, which I've heard you like," Lana answered nervously.
"Thank you," C.Z. grinned slyly. "Oh where are my manners? Let me introduce you to my early-bird guest, Mr. Lex Luthor."
Lana's eyes widened in surprise and a bit of irritation. "Lex... what are you doing here?" As if she didn't know, she had suspected that he might be here, but had soon hoped that she was wrong.
"Nothing, just leaving," he stood up and walked over to her. "Thanks for the coffee, by the way." He took the other cup and strutted out the living room.
C.Z. hid her smile, "Well, Ms. Lang, we have some work to do. Let me get you acquainted first with the gist of my work."
Chapter 1
After four years of unknown phenomenon and dramatic teenage angst, the time had arrived to bid farewell to Smallville High and possibly the rest of the town. It was especially welcomed event for Lana, the young raven-haired beauty who had grown exhausted of the gossiping villagers. Granted, she had Clark, Chloe and Pete as her consoling and caring clique and unforgettable friends. Yet, there was this need, a desire at the pit of her heart and soul calling for something more... for something different. Perhaps it was the facade she wore of the sweet and fragile, yet head-strong "princess"... or perhaps, it was simply the unfulfilling life she had led up to that point.
But, everything was about to change. Hopefully, a turn for the better. Lana was graduating and heading for Metropolis's top fashion institute. Somewhere over the years she had developed a taste for designing clothes, so she decided to take the plunge and give it a try. Anything was better than enrolling at Metropolis University with Clark and Chloe, who would undoubtedly be too immersed in journalism and their couple-hood to spend time with her. Frankly, though, she just needed something... someone... different.
"The beginning to the unknown is finally here," Lana thought to herself as she stood on Lex Luther's balcony. She was gazing at the cloudless sky with an obscure full moon, feeling quite at ease while her friends and the rest of guest celebrated graduation. Lex had been kind enough to allow them to hold their festivities in his mansion, unbeknownst to his father.
Ignoring the crowd behind her, Lana lost herself in frivolous thoughts. Suddenly, her daze was interrupted by a familiar, overly-confident, yet unoffensive voice, "I sense a combination of relief and slight contentment."
She turned around instantly, feeling as if her feelings had been invaded. It was always like that with Lex... he always seemed to know how she felt. It had bothered her, but only because half the time she could never guess what he was thinking or feeling. Sometimes she thought she knew, but then he managed to quickly raise that god-forsaken wall that transformed him into cold, business Lex. It was no wonder they never ceased from bantering or increasing the level of sexual tension, which they both remained ignorant to. "As usual, you're quite observant," she replied nonchalantly. "Don't let that go to your head, though."
He smirked, nodding to the side, "As usual, your flattery never falls short from kindness. Really, it's too much."
"I'll try to contain myself next time," she contended sarcastically as she hopelessly attempted to hide her sly grin. Lana had to admit, she enjoyed these frequent battle of the wits.
Lex immediately noticed her trying to keep her brilliant smile from radiating. He knew she had a liking to these "friendly" battles, and, of course, he completely reveled in them. There was nothing better than admiring a fiery Ms. Lang. "Alright, all quips aside," he announced as he walked towards her and stood next to her. "Tell me... are you enjoying this shing-ding?"
"Yes... um, yeah I am," she stammered.
Lex shifted his gaze to her eyes, looking deep into them, an unnoticeably losing himself in them. Seconds passed when suddenly Lana felt a little uncomfortable and shied away from his gaze as her cheeks blushed a soft red. It brought the handsome businessman back to reality. He stirred from the daze and finally spoke, clearing his throat as it usually happened when he was around the ageless deity, "Um... No, really... tell me the truth."
"Truth is Lex, this is a wonderful party, but," she paused, directing her gazes towards the dark sky. "I'm finding that I rather just be here, on this balcony reveling in the thought that after this summer I will be away from Smallville."
"Bored of the unchanging faces, are we?" Lex smiled, empathizing with her current situation.
"More with my own," Lana answered with a hint of melancholy underneath her voice.
Slightly surprised, Lex looked to her, "Do you mean you're tired of hiding?"
"Maybe... and maybe, I just need to change." Her solemn voice quivered a little. "Maybe it'll happen this summer. I'll be working with C.Z. Morgan and perhaps she'll teach me a thing or two, add a little excitement to my life that won't sent me to the hospital, that is."
"You're working with that famous British designer," he asked, impressed by the news.
"Yeah," she replied.
"You don't need her to add excitement to your life, though," Lex asserted as he gently touched the side of her face, directing her gaze to meet his. Time had frozen in that instant, they were both astonished by his indiscretion, and yet could not help staring at each other... again, losing themselves to this unknown, unperceived gravitation. Somehow, however, Lex managed to return to earth, quickly taking control. Noticing she hadn't, he smiled slyly as he neared his face towards her. Lana stirred, alarmed at his advance... she was about to back away when he missed her cheek purposely and whispered to her ear, "Sometimes we tend to inadvertently dismiss what's right in front of us."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two weeks later...
Lana nervously tried to pick out her outfit in the early morning of the day. She wanted to be prepared for her first meeting with C.Z. Morgan, hoping that she'd take an early liking to her new apprentice. Finally, she picked an appropriate, almost business-like attire that suited her just fine for the first day at work. Now, all she had to do with head over to the Talon and open the door for Hannah and the rest of the employees. She rushed to her car and left, breezing past the Kent farm... there was no way she was going to be late or let anything get in the way of this important day.
Concentrating on the road ahead, Lana didn't notice the blazing black, topless porsche from behind, accelerating smoothly to the side of her car. "Lana," called the smirking face behind sleek sunglasses. "Lana! Don't you think you're going a tad too fast?!"
The determined driver jerked her head slightly, surprised by Lex's voice. She shifted her vision quickly to the suave-dressed Lex, "You're one to talk!"
Laughing, he adored the speeding beauty who fastened her pace to defy him. "Fine... have it your way," he yelled back as he pressed the accelerator and surged passed her. He waved back smugly, knowing that would get a rise out of her.
"Ahh," she groaned. She attempted to increase her velocity, but to no avail, she couldn't even get close to the racer way ahead of her, who she dimly saw from afar.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the Talon. Hannah and a couple of employees were already waiting for her at the entrance. "Hey, guys," she greeted. "Hope you're all doing well 'cause today is probably going to be a hectic day."
"No problem," Hannah assured. "By the way, Lex Luther passed by and told me to give you this." She handed Lana a note, who took it with a confused face.
She furrowed her eyebrows, recognizing his handwriting, she read to herself, "Get two black coffees... make sure one of them is strong, C.Z. likes them that way. See you soon, Lex."
"What's wrong, Lana," asked Hannah who noticed Lana's features contorting into anger.
"Nothing, I just hate it when I can't get it my way."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lex entered a white two-story house after knocking and waiting for two minutes. "C.Z.," he called out. "Are you in here?"
"Who's that," inquired the fifty-year old British designer as she stepped down the steps with a cigarette in mouth. Taking notice of her visitor, she smiled, "Alexander."
"Lex," he corrected with a grin. "How are you, C.Z.?"
"Quite well, in fact," she replied, taking his hand and leading him towards the living room. "I think Smallville is suiting me just fine. You were right, it's good be away from the 'hustle and bustle' of Metropolis."
Sitting down, he nodded in agreement. "I'm glad to hear it."
"Now, young Luthor... answer me this," C.Z. inhaled from her cigarette. "To whom do I owe this pleasant visit?"
"You mean, to what," Lex amended, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"No, I believe I was correct the first time," she smirked. "If I am correct, and usually I am, I believe today is a Ms. Lana Lang's first day as my intern."
Lex rolled his eyes slightly and sighed. "Alright," he surrendered, but quickly asserted his infamous, dryly smooth voice. "I just wanted make sure Lana was in good hands and would remain that way until the end of her internship. I wouldn't want to find out later that one of the shrewdest businesswoman in all of Metropolis was taking advantage of someone close to the Luthor family."
C.Z. arched one of her eyebrows, smiling inwardly as she whiffed from her cigarette. "Lex, my dear lad, I don't think any threats are necessary," she contended. "Ms. Lang will be treated like a student and nothing else. And, if she happens to have any qualms with me, I think the situation can be handled appropriately. Nevertheless, I'm sure everything will work out well."
"Ms. Morgan, do not play games which will not benefit your outcome," he eyed her with a hint of warning.
C.Z. stared at Lex, finding it quite amusing that he'd go this far of an extent for an eighteen year old girl. "My, we seemed to be quite smitten," she laughed. "I cannot wait to meet Ms. Lang...."
"Hello... Ms. Morgan," Lana's insecure voice called from the door.
"Speaking of the devil," C.Z. remarked as she stood up. "Ms. Lang, please come in... I'm in the living room."
Lana followed the trail of the British accent with obvious years of smoking, and stepped into the living room. Carrying a holder with two black coffees, she greeted her new employer, not knowing she wasn't the only one in the room, "Hi, Ms. Morgan. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine... is that coffee I smell," she inquired as she directed her gaze to the cup.
"Oh, yes... strong, black coffee, which I've heard you like," Lana answered nervously.
"Thank you," C.Z. grinned slyly. "Oh where are my manners? Let me introduce you to my early-bird guest, Mr. Lex Luthor."
Lana's eyes widened in surprise and a bit of irritation. "Lex... what are you doing here?" As if she didn't know, she had suspected that he might be here, but had soon hoped that she was wrong.
"Nothing, just leaving," he stood up and walked over to her. "Thanks for the coffee, by the way." He took the other cup and strutted out the living room.
C.Z. hid her smile, "Well, Ms. Lang, we have some work to do. Let me get you acquainted first with the gist of my work."
