A/N: part two...er chapter one... yeah... switching gears here, away from Lana, and towards a certain cynical reporter (who shall remain nameless until the time comes) and a certain rich bald guy.... have a little Chlexy goodness for the day..(dammit I gave it away) ^-^ Oh well... Enjoy
Masquerading
By S. Ann Smith
Chapter one: Of Costume Parties
She casually and quietly sipped her champagne. It was too sweet for her liking, but it had some alcohol in it, nad hopefully made her fit in. Or at least blend in. Okay maybe that was a little far fetched. The people at the charity ball were avoiding her like the plague, and her mind wasn't exaggerating this time. It's probably the bright red 'press' badge pinned to her gown. she thought wryly.
"Miss Sullivan? Is that you?" A very familiar voice asked from somewhere behind her. She froze, like a mouse caught in a mouse trap-minus the trap, familiar surroundings and tasty snacks. She sighed and turned around.
"Mr. Luthor." she beamed the best smile she could without actual warmth.
"It's Lex- What brings you to- never mind" he smiled warmly at her noticing the red press badge. "You're not here for an interview...Are you?" She shook her head.
"Not with you anyways. I'm abusing the badge for free booze, and treats that I can't afford." She smiled an equally warm smile. Talking to Lex was better than being alienated right? Right, she hoped. "And I'm here to interview him." She inconspicuously pointed out her target, Bruce Wayne of the semi famous Wayne Enterprises.
"Bruce? Why?" He looked at her, humour reflecting in his blue eyes, and she could have sworn she heard a small chuckle escape his lips. And oh were they scrumptious lips....
"He's opening a new chain of something-or-others in Metropolis."
"Ah, the famous Wayne Enterprises something-or-others. He's got alot of those." He smirked
"Kind of like you and cars huh?"
"Yeah, kind of."
"Score me an interview?" She asked quickly looking her in the eye.
"I dunno, It'll cost you, and you know, you are dealing with a Luthor." He smiled
"I'd sell my soul on e-bay to the devil himself if it will get me the interview." She stated with a smile. Would he take the bait?
"Dad's not taking any more at this time, I'll be sure to put your soul in a file for safe keeping though."
She smiled and laughed to herself- was she just joking - and possibly flirting- with Lex Luthor, Billionaire playboy?
"So?"
"Sure, let me introduce you." He surprised her by grabbing her hand and leading her accross the ball room floor. "Bruce, you can tear yourself away from this conversation to meet a friend of mine, can't you?"
"Any thing for you Al." The tall dark haired man said without turning to them. "Please excuse me." He turned around. "Hello," he smiled at her warmly. "You didn't tell me that your friend was a reporter Al." He said looking at Lex quickly. "Or really beautiful."
Chloe attempted, and failed, to hide the faint blush that rose when Mr. Bruce Wayne, said that last comment. She seriously didn't want to look like a very hideously red tomatoe, one that evidently clashed feriously with her blue ballgown(making her look like a police light),and matched the red 'press' button.
One of the richest, and possibly handsomest, billionaire in the room, excluding a certain bald one who was standing so comfortably close, of course, was flirting with her.
Something just didn't seem right, and thus causing her extremely cynical mind to become extremely confused. What did he think was beautiful about her exactly? And why didn't anyone else see what ever it was that he seen in her? She was so busy pondering these very serious questions,that she didn't hear the rest of the conversation, or the question that was posed to her.
"Hello? Earth to Miss Sullivan?" She was snapped back to reality by the oh so familiar voice of one Lex Luthor.
"What?" she snapped. Why did he insist on calling her by her last name anyways? But of course Luthors always have a hidden agenda. What the hidden agenda was worried her.
"Why did you want to speak with Bruce?" He looked at her urgingly.
"Can I get a quick interview for the 'Planet?"
"On what exactly?" Bruce, Oh god was she using first names inside her head already?, looked at her, eyebrow raised, and a look of pure enjoyment on his face.
"On your new..." Oh shit what was it again? Think! Think! Her completely flustered brain urged. Got it! "...buisness expenditure in Central Metropolis."
"Well, it's a new experience for Wayne Enterprises, one which we were cautious in trying out, because we've never actually built a mall before, being more buisness oriented. But enough about that, work can wait. A, can I have a dance with your date?"
"Wait a minute. I am not Luthor's date!"
"Then he won't mind." Bruce said, shooting a daringly looking at Lex, while simultaneously sweeping her into his arms, and out onto the dance floor. "Now what did you want to ask me Miss Sullivan?"
"Firstly, my name is Chloe. Seccondly, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions on your new-" Dammit what was it again? She knew he just said it. "-expenditure in Metropolis." Nice save. She silently chided herself.
"I don't want to talk about buisness right now, when I have such a lovely lady in my arms. One who has A mystified."
"I don't think I could have anybody mystified, you should check your sources." She said seriously. Inside she was in shock and disbelief, and some small part of her hoped Bruce wasn't wrong, that was some small part that definately needed a mental assessment because hello! She was just a small town girl working at a big city newspaper.
"I did several times. Firstly," he began immitating her manorisms from before, "you are beautiful and there is no way that anyone wouldn't be mystified by you." Was she blushing? She hoped not, because that would be embarrassing. "And secondly A's eyes haven't left you since we left."
"Liar." She said as they turned in momentum with the slow music in the background. She realized that her spitefulness had a way of kicking her in the ass when she saw Lex watching her when Bruce's back was turned. He quickly noticed that she was watching him, and averted his eyes to a very interesting (and imaginary) spot on his cup.
She laughed into Bruce's ear, as the song ended.
"Go dance with A, he's a lonely old bugger, and needs some company." he whispered into her ear. His breath tickled her ear, and the sheer fact that she was only inches away from Bruce Wayne's face-lips- gave her a slight tingly feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"Fine." She said, like a child that just lost a fight with a parent-ewww, tingly feelings and parent reference, not a good combination.
He pushed her away, and gave her a comforting smile. As she walked over to Lex she could have sworn that there were eyes watching her-and they weren't just Lex, and Bruce's.
"Dance with me Luthor?" she asked looking at him eyebrow raised. This question gave Lex a start.
"Only if you'd dance with me." He smirked and led her out on to the dance floor. They spent the rest of the night there, dancing and talking-and talking while dancing. They laughed at the strange looks they recieved, and laughed at Lex's immitation of a good dancer-which, Chloe admitted, had fooled her and she didn't have any idea that he couldn't dance because that would be considered odd of the rich people not to be able to ballroom dance.
They danced the night away. Sure Chloe didn't get her story done until nine-in the morning, but it was worth it to see Lex's brilliant smile-also an odd and rare sight in it's self. Sure she didn't get home until five in the morning, and sure she got hell from Lois for slamming the door when she came in, but what are roommates for anyways?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
TBC
