(3 years earlier)
"Mr. Luther, a Miss Sullivan here to see you." The secretary said.
"Send here in." Chloe was quickly shown into the office.
"Mr. Luther, thank you for granting this interview."
"Chloe, how long have we known each other?"
"Years, why"
"I think you can call me Lex"
"Ok Lex" she said with a smile, "well, shall we start with the interview." She got out her tape recorder.
"Yes please have a seat" he said, "Do you want anything to drink?"
"No, but thanks," she said. "Mind if I record this?"
"Not at all"
"Ok, Lets begin" she said as she pressed the record button. "Mr. Luther, have you seen what the Daily Planet has written about you and your company?"
"Yes"
"Do you have any response to their accusations that you are in league with the worlds most notorious dictators, and crime bosses?"
"Non of that information is true. I am trying to run a respectful business here. Miss Lane, and Superman seem to be trying to destroy everything I have been working for." He responded. His anger was noticeable.
"Your business has been growing steadily in countries that have given companies like Wayne Enterprises and hard time. How is your company able to get the permits to build while others have been waiting for years?"
"I do not handle every business deal in every country on the planet. But as a general rule, my employees are required to have an understanding of the culture, and common business practices of that country"
"You mean to tell me that these countries allow you to do business there just because your company was aware of their culture? I'm sorry Mr. Luther, but that seems a little far fetched to me."
"Mr. Luther?" His secretary's voice came onto the intercom. "Mrs. Luther is here to speak with you."
"I'm sorry Miss Sullivan, this interview will have to wait. Are you free later tonight, we can continue this then" Lex said.
Chloe turned off the recorder, "sure Lex, I'll see you tonight at say, seven?"
"Sounds good"
Helen came storming into the office and gave Chloe an accusing glance as Chloe left, 'hmm, looks like he is in trouble'.
At seven 'o'clock on the dot, Chloe showed up at Lex's office. His secretary had left some time ago, so she knocked and let herself in. There didn't seem to be anyone in the office. The chair was facing the large windows, and the bar was missing a rather large bottle of scotch.
"Mr. Luther?… Lex?….. " She asked while she made her way to the desk. On the desk was a paper. She picked it up, 'Helen Luther file for divorce, irreconcilable differences'
"Lex, are you ok?" She said, as she rushed over to the front of the chair. Lex was just sitting there, half empty glass in his hand, staring off into space.
"She left me, and it is all their fault."
"Lex, whose fault"
"Lane, and fly boy. She got tired of their stories, the mess he makes every time he appears, she just left" Lex said, he didn't move his eyes from that invisible spot on the wall.
"Lex. I'm sorry" Chloe said, she leaned against the desk and put her hand on his shoulder. "Is there anything I can do? Do you need a ride home, we can finish the interview later."
"No, I'll be fine" he said. He stood up and walked over to the bar. "By the way" he said as he poured another glass. "This is off the record." He said, "I don't want to see this in the papers tomorrow."
"No, of course not." She said. She felt sorry for the guy. His father treated him like crap, his best friend turned on him for some unknown reasons, and his former friend's new girlfriend wrote terrible things about him and his company, now his wife left him.
"Lex, don't do anything you would regret. Come on," she said as she took his hand, "I'll take you home."
"Thanks, Chloe" he finally looked into her eyes. She was concerned about him. He could see it.
They arrived at his apartment. 'Only a billionaire would get a small house as an apartment' Chloe said laughing to herself. The apartment was huge, with two bedrooms, a living room, game room, and all the toys. She was balancing Lex on her arm. He had a little more to drink then she thought.
"Chloe?" he said, as he was plopped down on the leather couch.
"Yes Lex"
"Thank you" he said, and hugged her. She was surprised at the un-Luther-like show of affection. But she didn't mind. She had not been in the arms of any man since she broke up with Clark almost a year before. Well, unless you don't count the congratulatory hug she got from her dad when she beat out Lois Lane for 'Journalist of the year'. "Please stay," he said, begging in his eyes. Chloe gave into his plea, she knew it was a cheap line from a broken hearted drunken man, but she was so alone. She found herself in his bedroom, striping off each other's clothes, and kissing each other fiercely.
The next morning, she woke up and hurriedly gathered her clothes. 'I can't believe I just did that' she said angrily to herself. Lex was still a sleep when she slipped out of the apartment unnoticed.