Chapter 7 – Auld Lang Syne

It has been two days since the wedding that never took place, and Lex was getting impatient. Lex picked up the phone and dialled the same number he has called for the tenth time.

"This is Lex Luthor, have you found anything?"

"We did find evidence that Miss Hardwick was involved with your father. But nothing else so far."

"Well, dig deeper." Lex was getting very agitated.

"We're doing the best we can sir."

"I'm paying you a lot of money for this, so I want results!" with that Lex slammed the phone down. He sat there with his elbow on the table and his upper arm supporting his head as he rest his hand on his forehead. Suddenly, a voice came from the doorway.

"You know, even if you found something, you still have to wait at least 6 to 7 weeks before you can do a DNA test."

Lex turned his head and saw Lila leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "It's just frustrating that's all." His business like demeanour vanished and he sank back into his chair.

Lila walked into the room and sat on the edge of the table. "I understand. But calling them won't make them work faster. Why don't we go out and hang out with your friends?" She pulled Lex up from his chair.

Lex's face brightened. Lila and his friends were getting along wonderfully, they really seem to like her. 'It would be nice to spend some time with some friendly faces' he thought. "Alright. Let's go to the Talon, I'm sure everyone is probably there." Lex suggested.

"Great! I need some coffee anyway." Lila replied brightly. And they walked out Lex's study and headed out.

Unbeknownst to them, Victoria was standing outside the room with a jealous expression on her face. Thinking back to the last few days, she realised from the conversations she had overheard how much influence Lila had on Lex.  'I've never had that kind of power over him. And that's why I saw to it that she didn't receive the invitation. As soon as I found about her I knew she was trouble.' She thought. 'But that will soon change.' She smirked. 'Soon, I will be Mrs. Lex Luthor.'

That evening, Lila strolled along the corridor of the Luthor mansion, taking in the architecture and decoration. It was a beautiful castle, even if Lex didn't thinks so. The ancient building cried out mystery, and Lila always loved mystery. That's why Lila became a forensic scientist, to solve the mysteries behind the death of innocent people. She saddened as she thought about the innocent people that have died, and her thoughts turned to her family. It has been almost six years since her parents and grandparents were killed in a horrible car crash.

The family was having a family dinner, since it was her grandmother's birthday. But Lila had a huge project to finish for school, so she didn't make it either. Lila was worried when her parents didn't came home that night, but thought maybe they were just catching up with the family and forgot the time. Her parents weren't home the next morning either, but Lila still thought nothing of it since they left for work earlier than she did anyway. So she went to school as usual, thinking nothing was wrong. But how wrong she was. When she got home, she found Lex waiting for her at the front door.

~ Lila smiled and waved to Lex. And he smiled back, but there was sadness in his eyes that she couldn't place.

"Lex? Is there something wrong?" she asked.

Lex took her hands in his. "I thought you should hear it from me." he began.

Lila looked confused and somewhat apprehensive. "What's going on Lex?"

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but your parents and grandparents were in a car crash last night…"

Lila's eyes filled with tears. "What?!" she said in shock. "Please don't tell me…" she couldn't continue with the sentence, but Lex knew what she meant. "I'm so sorry Lila. But none of them made it."

Lila wrapped her arms around Lex and buried her head in his chest. She started crying softly. Lex wrapped his protective arms around her and stroked her hair. "You're going to be alright. You still have me." He continues to hold her and let her cry until she was tired out. ~

Lila wiped a tear from her eyes. Lila was all alone, at the age of 16, with no family and her grandparent's company to run. But she had Lex, and Lionel, who promised they'd take care of her.

Lila was at the legal age were she was free to be on her own without a guardian, and therefore Lionel couldn't legally adopt her. But she became a part of the Luthor household nonetheless, and lived with Lex and Lionel until she went to university to pursue her career in forensic science.

Lila blinked back another tear, and walked out to the garden. She was lost in thought, thinking about her new family, Lex and Lionel, and her friends back home. She didn't notice the shadow behind her, and was taken by surprise when someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with a handkerchief. The last thing she remembered was a dozen yellow hyacinths in the Luthor garden.

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