December 24, 2005
6PM
Kent's Cottage
Clark Kent was nervous as hell. He didn't know why he accepted the invitation without thinking about what the Luthor's Christmas Eve Ball really entailed. He would be soon rubbing elbows with the elite of metropolis and even special guests from the international community. How could he possibly survive the night?
He was just Clark Kent, the son of the Luthor's cook and was even exiled far away due to his freakish powers. He would just embarrass Lex if he attended the party.
He had confided some of his anxieties to Lana and Pete when they had lunch early this afternoon. He was again surprised how easy it was to share his problems with them despite of the six-year separation. He guessed true friendship was just like that. He even had the courage to revel his preferences to them, although judging from the way he blushed whenever Lex's name came up, it was pretty darn obvious whom he came out of the closet for. Fortunately neither Lana nor Lex was disgusted.
"Well, Clark I can't say that I've had the same experience of being invited to anything by the Luthors, but I don't think you'll embarrass yourself in front of those bigwigs. It's not as if you're uncivilized or anything like that." Pete commented after listening to him moan and groan about the party.
"I agree. They're just like us but with more money to burn. Just be yourself and everything will turn out fine." Lana added.
Clark wished that he was as confident as Lana and Pete. He even made a quick phone call to Chloe who nearly deafened him with her shriek of joy when she heard that he received an invitation from his "bishonen no koibito" as she put it.
"Clark Kent, don't you dare not show up or I'll hop on the next plane to Kansas just to kick your butt!" Chloe exclaimed, still as brash and frank as ever.
"Okay, okay calm down. This is like a dream come true for me. I feel like the male version of Cinderella. I'm just afraid that I'll wake up soon on my little futon and everything was just a product of my highly hormonal brain."
"Baka! More like Belle, you mean. Cheer up, Clark. This is what you've been waiting for all your life. Don't let him frighten you away and stop being such a wimp!"
"Thanks…I think. And Lex is not a Beast!" Clark replied.
Feeling more upbeat, Clark started preparing for the party. Luckily, he decided to bring the Armani tuxedo that Cassandra bought him as a present for his 18th birthday several months ago. At least he wouldn't look like a hick farm boy tonight.
***********************************************************
Alexander Joseph Luthor was vibrating with anticipation. He couldn't believe that the little boy he once taught how to swim and fly kites was now a young man --- a very stunning young man at that; a young man who saved him from certain death. His rescue was still somewhat fuzzy, possibly from the concussion he suffered at the time of the accident but he was almost certain that he hit Clark Kent. The roof of his Porche was also torn open in a way that couldn't possibly have had resulted from the crash. He had a lot of questions but he didn't want Clark spooked. Anyway, he was good at waiting. Someday Clark wouldn't have any choice but to tell him the truth.
His musings were rudely interrupted by two people he had the misfortune of having the acquaintance of in more ways than one): Dominic Santori and Lady Victoria Hardwick.
"Lex, Lex, Lex. It's been quite a while since I saw you. Were you hiding from me?" A seductive peck placed near his mouth accompanied Victoria's sultry voice.
"Victoria. Dominic. How nice to see you. Metropolis now too boring for you that you decided to seek greener and wilder pastures in Corn town?" Lex asked dryly.
"Lex, don't be snide. Metropolis hadn't been the same since you left to take care of the, what was it again, 'crap factory'?" Dominic smiled smugly. It has been the fodder of the gossip mill in Metropolis when his esteemed father exiled Lex Luthor to the fertilizer plant in god-knows-where after having had enough of Lex's misadventures in Club Zero. Dominic and Victoria, his distinguished party pals in Metropolis, had to see for themselves how the young heir was faring in this little known town and of course, to gloat at his misfortunes.
"Well, well, well. I see that little towns such as this have their own charms." Victoria purred.
"What do you mean?" Lex asked blandly.
"Lookee there, Lex. I wonder who he is." Dominic replied having looked at the direction his sister was gazing at avidly.
Lex's eyes widened imperceptibly when he caught sight at what or rather whom they were drooling about. Clark Kent was standing near the glass door of the lanai looking around him nervously, obviously searching for Lex in the crowded ballroom.
"That is my friend, Clark Kent." Lex reluctantly informed them.
"Friend? Looking at you, I think that you want to be more than that, Lexy." Victoria smugly replied.
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Victoria." Lex glared coldly at the woman.
"Hmmm, I think our friend here is a bit too defensive. Seductive powers not up to par, Lex?" Dominic taunted.
"I can seduce anyone I want Dominic. You of all people should know that." Lex taunted back mockingly.
"There are exceptions, Lexy darling. I think you've met your match in our little boy over there." Dominic replied tersely.
"Now, boys don't fight. Why don't we settle this like the gentlemen you both are." Victoria grinned challengingly at both men.
"What do you mean?" Lex impatiently demanded wanting to end the conversation quickly so that he could go over to Clark.
"I propose a gentleman's wager. If Lexy here could seduce our innocent boy on or before New Year's Day, then his reputation as Metropolis' Playboy remains secure. If he fails then Dominic could have anything he wants from Lex. Clean and simple, isn't it?"
Lex stared at them silently. He didn't want to make Clark a part of the wager but if he refused then he couldn't use his colorful reputation (which he had painstakingly cultivated) in Metropolis to irritate the hell out of his Dad. And of course, he never, ever backed down from challenges.
"What is it that you want from me, just in case the impossible happens and you win?" Lex asked.
"Nothing much…you'll be my slave for a day and I get the chance to woo the innocent Clark." Dominic replied.
Lex stilled at the reply. 'Woo Clark…over my dead body?! Not to mention being Dominic's slave for a day!' Now that the stakes had gone up ---more than he bargained for, Lex could not afford to lose.
"Okay, I agree." Lex finally replied.
"We'll leave you now so that you can start your wooing. Oh and Lex, we'll need proof of your victory. I'll just give you the details later." Dominic announced gleefully.
Lex nodded curtly and turned his back on them. He hurried across the room to join Clark, the latter smiling brilliantly at the sight of the bald billionaire.
***********************************************************
"Do you think you'll win, Dominic? Judging from the look on that young man's face Lex wouldn't have to exert any effort at all."
"My dear sister, I always have a back-up plan when it comes to Lex Luthor." Dominic replied.
***********************************************************
To be continued ….
Author's Notes: Sorry for the short chapter…it'll be longer next time, for sure. I'm too lazy to look for Dominic's real surname so I'll just go by what I remembered, okay? Hope you'll take time to leave your review…ja ne!