New Year's Day dawned bright and early for most of Smallville's inhabitants except for one Lex Luthor. He spent a sleepless night trying to think of a way to seek out Clark's forgiveness and perhaps even his love someday. He refrained himself from following Clark last night and forcing him to talk about his feelings, thinking that the younger man might need more time to think.
Lex had decided that there's nothing that he wouldn't do to earn back Clark's trust. He, the proud Luthor heir, would willingly crawl, beg or plead if that's what it would take to bring Clark back to him.
He hurriedly went down the curving staircase intent on finding and cornering Cark when he heard the piano playing in the music room. He peered in seeing his mother seated on the grand piano.
"Hello Mother. Happy New Year! Sorry, I didn't rejoin the party last night."
"Happy New Year, Alexander. Don't worry, it's the same old party so you didn't miss much." Lillian stopped playing and turned to look at her troubled son.
"I must have irritated Father to no end, eh? Where is he by the way?" Lex asked curiously.
"Lionel went back to metropolis early this morning. He said that he's working on a contract to buy Cadmus laboratory."
"Well, at least I wouldn't have to suffer through another lecture about what an embarrassment I am to the Luthor name."
"Oh, Alexander that's not true. We're very proud of you."
""You maybe. For father, definitely not. Anyway, he won't be far from the truth. I hurt everyone I love in one way or another."
"Alexander, we all make mistakes. It's what makes us human. What matters is that when we do, we have to admit it and sincerely seek forgiveness."
"Is it really possible to regain a person's trust, Mom?"
"Perhaps, Alexander. It depends on how sincerely and badly we want it."
"You're right, Mom. Thank you for making me feel a little better."
"You're welcome, dear. Don't worry Alexander…Clark loves you more than anything else in the world. He'll surely forgive you."
"Mom! H-how did…you…" a startled Lex turned around to stare at his mother wonderingly.
"Go, Alexander." Lillian smiled gently as he shooed him out of the room.
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Lex Luthor approached the Kent cottage hesitantly ---afraid of Martha Kent's reception, not to mention her son. His knock was answered by a feminine voice and he waited nervously for the door to open.
"Lex, I've been expecting you. Please come in. Sit down." Martha Kent's calm voice surprised Lex who expected an outraged mother.
"Good morning, Mrs. Kent. Is Clark…."
"I'm afraid he isn't here. He left me a letter saying that he wanted to go back to Japan to join my friend Cassandra who's planning to travel around China after the holidays. He said that he needed to get away for a while." Martha explained calmly. "I think he left quite early this morning to catch his plane."
"Mrs. Kent, I have to talk to Clark. I did something really stupid and I hurt him so much. I'm willing to do anything to ask for his forgiveness."
Martha Kent looked at the visibly upset young man in front of her.
"You know Lex, I was ready to tear a strip off you for doing something that hurt Clark but I think you're suffering more than enough. I just want you to promise me that you'll let him decide on his own. Clark loves you so much and it's one of the reasons why I sent him away six years ago. I didn't want him to be hurt by you." Martha sighed worriedly.
"Mrs. Kent, please believe me when I say that I truly love your son. This is the first and last time I would willingly hurt him. I'm ready to give up everything just to be with him."
"Alright, but make sure that you keep your promise or else I will hunt you down and the Luthor money won't be able to protect you from the wrath of a protective mother." Martha warned seriously before handing out the details of Clark's itinerary.
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To be continued …..