Thanks again for the nice reviews;) Now that you've read the other two, we can move on with the real story. Let the drama begin…
Chapter 3
"I've found a reason for me
to change who I used to be
a reason to start over new
and the reason is you"
- Hoobastank
There they sat, facing each other without words. Lana attempted to distract herself with the menu in front of her, while Lex would merely glance up occasionally with a small smirk hiding behind his own menu. It seemed somewhat awkward considering they had laughed about frivolous subjects on the ride over to the quiet, small restaurant. Perhaps it was the rampant speed that they had enjoyed, causing an atmosphere of freedom and leisure, or perhaps it was the fact that it felt like old times… the moments they had shared when no one was around, when all they needed was each other to feel… just feel.
"Let me break the ice here," Lex finally spoke. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
She looked up, slightly startled and more so afraid of what he was about to ask. Maintaining a sense of indifference to veil her fear, she replied, "Shoot."
"I am curious as to why you named your coffee chain 'The Other Side,'" he questioned.
Inconspicuously she allowed a breath to escape, "It's kind of personal."
Lex leaned forward from his seat, catching her gaze. "Since when do old friends stop being personal?"
She left his stare, looking down, knowing there was no sense in her secrecy… not when it came to Lex anyway. "When my parents died, I developed a curiosity for the afterlife. I always wanted to know where they had passed onto? What the other side was like?" Lana explained as she reminisced to her younger days. "In my search, I decided to at least provide an image of what I thought. So I imagined a haven for strangers and timeless friends escaping reality, the dreariness of life. Then I made it, or at least attempted it, for this world. I know it's kind of childish."
Lex grinned, "Not in the least. In fact, I think you captured it."
Lana looked up again, reveling in his compliment. She bit her lip, realizing something she should have done a long time ago. "Lex, I'm sorry," she expressed, finally feeling a burden unleash. "I'm sorry for having runaway so long ago, leaving you without answers. But-"
"Lana, there's no need to revisit the past," he interrupted, not wanting to let seven years resurface. "That's behind us now. Whatever your reasons were, it doesn't matter now as long as you're willing and ready to make up for lost time. As for as I'm concerned, I'm ready."
She allowed her sad smile to believe his words and uplift slowly. "So am I."
~*~
One month later…
It was noon and she had simply stopped by to give him some papers he had left in her office. Dressed in light colors, she didn't appear like herself. In fact, the last few weeks she hadn't been acting her usual self, the slightly reserved and distant woman he had fallen in love with. She handed him the papers, smiled, and was already saying her goodbyes. And there was that spark in her eyes again. What the hell was going on?
"Lana, where are you heading off to in such a hurry? I thought you might stay for some lunch," he questioned, attempting to figure her attitude.
She turned around to him, oblivious to his frustrations in his voice. "I'm having lunch with a friend," she answered innocently.
Rolling his eyes, he stood up, "Does this friend happen to be Lex Luthor, the infamous associate of yours that you've been hanging with for the last month?"
"Andrew, he's my friend… not a criminal," she asserted, finding his tone out of order. "And yes, I'm having lunch with him."
Sighing, he walked towards her and gently grabbed her hands, "Lana, I'm sorry, but I just don't trust Luthors. I know he's your friend and all, still I can't help to think he has ulterior motives. He was after all your former boyfriend."
Slipping from his grip, she backed away. "You know, I was almost going to forgive your jealousy," she began. "But, now you're doubting my fidelity to you. I don't think I deserve that, nor do I have stand here and listen to it." Lana briskly turned around, stepping quickly towards the door.
"Fine, leave," Andrew's short temper flared, instantly regretting the words that slipped from his lips. He fisted his hands, placing them upon his desk in frustration. He should've apologized immediately. "Lana," he called after her as he jogged towards the door. "Lana! Wait!" But, she was long gone.
He knew for sure he would receive the silent treatment from her for a couple of days. Who could blame her, really? Especially if she ever found out how far his suspicions had pushed him. Andrew knew she wouldn't be so forgiving this time. But, it was too late now. He had made the deal already. And, frankly, he was still curious.
~*~
Something seemed to be in the air. Lex wasn't himself. He was in no rush, business took a backseat, and the annoying radio advertisements didn't even seem to register. Driving through the slightly congested streets of Metropolis, Lex simply enjoyed the ease of the day. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but Lana had done it again. She had managed to creep into his life again and purge control… the control necessary to sustain the persistence of his father and enemies, the draining of business, the paranoia of being a Luthor. She made him forget the sadness… the emptiness of being Lex Luthor.
Taking a turn at the corner, he spotted her from afar. Even though she was dress incognito with a classic white trench coat reaching her knees and a matching scarf covering her hair, he could still recognize the petite beauty. He pulled up next to her as his window rolled down, "Excuse me, ma'am, you wouldn't need a ride, would you?"
She bent slowly, pulling down her sunglasses towards the end of her nose, "With you? (pausing with a sigh) I'd rather wait for the bus."
"Suit yourself," Lex smirked as he gradually accelerated.
Laughing, she called for him, "Lex, I was joking! Please don't make me chase after you."
Looking back in his convertible, he stopped, "Sounds tempting, but I'll be kind… get in."
"I knew you'd stop," she quipped, making herself comfortable on the passenger seat. "So where are we heading?"
Stepping on the gas, he nodded in amusement, "You know, I thought I carried myself with an abundance of arrogance. But, I believe you've begun a battle of egos, which you're clearly winning."
"If I didn't smell that strong odor of jealousy, I'd be offended," she smiled wittingly. "Now, can you please tell me where we're going?"
"Ouch," he feigned. "Don't worry, we'll get there soon. It's a surprise."
Lana stole a glimpse at Lex, reveling in the moment, in his demeanor of mystery and casualness. There was such comfort to his presence that complimented her desire to escape. Whatever it meant, she didn't want to know or overanalyze… just enjoy the emptiness that was being filled.
~*~
After driving and bantering childishly, Lex reached a rugged terrain at the side of an empty road. A perplexed Lana scanned the area, "Lex, I know we agreed to try some place different, but this isn't what I had in mind."
"Am I smelling the strong odor of fear from Smallville's very own kicking-boxing Homecoming queen," Lex questioned teasingly.
As she retorted back with a few sarcastic remarks, Lex drove onto an unpaved, dirt path surrounded by bushes and trees alike. The path was short, leading them directly to Lex's intended surprise. "As much as I would love to hear your attempt to defeat my wit, take a look," he pointed at the view in front of them.
Lana quieted and turned towards the breathtaking scenery. Meadows of flowers turned into expanding grasslands, and further into fields of wheat. It was calming picture reminiscent of their days in Smallville. "It's beautiful, Lex," she admired as she stepped out.
"This is the other pathway onto Smallville. No one uses the road on the side to get there. And sadly, no one lives in this area. I don't understand why." Lex sounded far away for seconds, shaking off his contemplation on the view as he leaned against his car next to Lana. "Whatever their reason is, I'm not buying it. Instead, I'm buying the land you and I are standing on."
Lana looked away from the area to Lex with confusion and astonishment. "You're buying this land? What are you going to do with it," she inquired, curious by his purchase.
"Build my own haven," Lex answered with a distant expression.
Lana stared at him as he kept his gaze steady on the fields. There was that feeling again, and rather than attempting to intellectualize the emotions driving the beat of her heart, she obeyed her instincts. Lana drew herself closer to Lex, gently resting her head on the rim of his shoulder. Her small hand met his fingers that lay against the hood of the car. He welcomed the gesture, softly caressing her skin.
The moment would have been lasting for Lex had he not noticed a flash of some kind from the corner of his eye. He didn't interrupt their frozen minute for Lana's sake, but still stood vigilant for the outside presence. Whoever was trying to invade their privacy would have a difficult time escaping his scrutiny once he made a few calls.
~*~
Next day…
Some areas in Metropolis when the sun's rays fade are desolate and alien versus the madness of the lights and night owls parading the streets of the city. These ignored locations are left for private transactions between people of all kind, including Andrew. The attorney was parked in an empty lot, simply waiting patiently for an arranged meeting.
Out of the darkness appeared a man who directly walked towards Andrew's car. Reaching his window, he quickly handed him a manila envelope without even looking at the attorney. "I think you'll find some of the pictures quite interesting," he mumbled. "You know where to send the payment. Until next time, Mr. Phillips." The man in the black coat walked away, exiting the lot.
Andrew immediately opened the envelope and went through the pictures slowly, analyzing each as anger and jealously built. The images were all of Lex and Lana's "lunch dates" from the past week. Their proximity in each picture was too close for comfort in his opinion… and her face… god, her face held that spark, a vivacity he had never seen before. When he reached the last series of pictures, he had to stop; for, he couldn't ignore their demeanor in the first of the series. There she was laughing, leaning her forehead against his chest. Her hands grasped softly onto the sides of his arms while he was leaning slightly back with an effortless smile on his face. He hated that smug grin. He hated the comfort they obviously felt in each other.
And there was last: Standing next to each other against his luxury convertible with their backs to the camera. He didn't notice the scenery or anything surrounding, only their hands. "I've had enough," Andrew thought to himself as he started the car and accelerated with rage.
~*~
Lex decided to stay late in his office at LuthorCorp. Putting all thoughts aside from yesterday's outing with Lana, he rummaged through some papers he had to sign. His focus, however, was interrupted by heavy footsteps entering his office. He looked up and eyed his unexpected visitor with nonchalance.
The uninvited guest strode directly to Lex's desk, standing right in front of his target. "I'm guessing we can bypass formalities… you know who I am and you probably already know why I'm here," he asserted.
"Would you like to sit down, Mr. Phillips," Lex indifferently asked his frustrated visitor.
"No… I rather stand," Andrew replied with clenched teeth. "I'm not here to chat, Mr. Luthor, but to simply give you a warning: Stay away from her. Need I remind I'm not only her fiancé, but also the DA of Metropolis."
Lex smirked, not at all phased by Andrew's warning. "If I didn't know any better, Mr. Phillips, I'd say that was a threat," he contended. "Frankly, if I were you, I'd step cautiously on unfamiliar territory… you wouldn't want to accidentally trigger anything."
"Your threats won't get you anywhere," Andrew retorted, growing angrier at Lex's smug disregard. "Just stay away from Lana. Your father and you are criminals, and she doesn't need to be surrounded by the likes of Luthors."
Lex's patience was thinning. He stood up, "Mr. Phillips, I suggest you check your insecurities with Lana. In fact, be sure to show her the pictures." Lex went around his desk, picking up his drink and sipping it as he eyed the irritated attorney with vindictive pleasure. "I'm sure you can find your way out, Mr. Phillips."
Andrew turned around, heading for the door only to stop short of it, "This isn't over by a long shot, Luthor. Remember, I still have the girl."
Lex simply stared at the attorney who speedily exited his office. His last words imprinted in his mind. He didn't want it to get to him, but it certainly bothered him. Alone in his office, he felt those words grow in magnitude.
~*~
A furious Andrew made his way to Lana's penthouse. He was intent on putting everything on the table. There was no way he was going to allow his future wife to associate herself with a criminal. Not to mention, their friendship was in question. Lex and her were getting too close for his comfort.
He unlocked her door only to be surprised by the array of disorder in her home. "Lana," he called out, confused and concerned over the throw articles in her usually clean environment. "Lana, are you here?!"
Suddenly, he heard her yelling. He ran over to her room, "Lana, what going on? Are you okay?"
"Why?! Why doesn't this cycle just stop," she asked in despair as she threw a vase to the wall. In tears, she dropped to the floor on knees, shaking uncontrollably. "I can't believe this… it's not true, it can't be." She whispered to herself, losing all rationality and orientation. Lana didn't even notice Andrew in the room.
Her fiancé ran to her, kneeling down beside her. "Lana, what's going on? Let me help you. Why are you crying," he questioned impatiently. He hadn't the slightest idea what was troubling her, and she wasn't helping. She just kept whispering to herself. All he could do was embrace her, try to provide any sort of comfort for her. As he did, Andrew noticed a piece of paper she was clutching in her hand. He grabbed it while whispering soothing words in her ear.
Once she let go, he opened it up and saw that it was message from police headquarters. Now he understood.
~*~
Not to worry, I'll update soon. In the meantime, you can review, criticize, compliment, anything you want to keep me going;) Hope you enjoyed it.
Chapter 3
"I've found a reason for me
to change who I used to be
a reason to start over new
and the reason is you"
- Hoobastank
There they sat, facing each other without words. Lana attempted to distract herself with the menu in front of her, while Lex would merely glance up occasionally with a small smirk hiding behind his own menu. It seemed somewhat awkward considering they had laughed about frivolous subjects on the ride over to the quiet, small restaurant. Perhaps it was the rampant speed that they had enjoyed, causing an atmosphere of freedom and leisure, or perhaps it was the fact that it felt like old times… the moments they had shared when no one was around, when all they needed was each other to feel… just feel.
"Let me break the ice here," Lex finally spoke. "I've been meaning to ask you something."
She looked up, slightly startled and more so afraid of what he was about to ask. Maintaining a sense of indifference to veil her fear, she replied, "Shoot."
"I am curious as to why you named your coffee chain 'The Other Side,'" he questioned.
Inconspicuously she allowed a breath to escape, "It's kind of personal."
Lex leaned forward from his seat, catching her gaze. "Since when do old friends stop being personal?"
She left his stare, looking down, knowing there was no sense in her secrecy… not when it came to Lex anyway. "When my parents died, I developed a curiosity for the afterlife. I always wanted to know where they had passed onto? What the other side was like?" Lana explained as she reminisced to her younger days. "In my search, I decided to at least provide an image of what I thought. So I imagined a haven for strangers and timeless friends escaping reality, the dreariness of life. Then I made it, or at least attempted it, for this world. I know it's kind of childish."
Lex grinned, "Not in the least. In fact, I think you captured it."
Lana looked up again, reveling in his compliment. She bit her lip, realizing something she should have done a long time ago. "Lex, I'm sorry," she expressed, finally feeling a burden unleash. "I'm sorry for having runaway so long ago, leaving you without answers. But-"
"Lana, there's no need to revisit the past," he interrupted, not wanting to let seven years resurface. "That's behind us now. Whatever your reasons were, it doesn't matter now as long as you're willing and ready to make up for lost time. As for as I'm concerned, I'm ready."
She allowed her sad smile to believe his words and uplift slowly. "So am I."
~*~
One month later…
It was noon and she had simply stopped by to give him some papers he had left in her office. Dressed in light colors, she didn't appear like herself. In fact, the last few weeks she hadn't been acting her usual self, the slightly reserved and distant woman he had fallen in love with. She handed him the papers, smiled, and was already saying her goodbyes. And there was that spark in her eyes again. What the hell was going on?
"Lana, where are you heading off to in such a hurry? I thought you might stay for some lunch," he questioned, attempting to figure her attitude.
She turned around to him, oblivious to his frustrations in his voice. "I'm having lunch with a friend," she answered innocently.
Rolling his eyes, he stood up, "Does this friend happen to be Lex Luthor, the infamous associate of yours that you've been hanging with for the last month?"
"Andrew, he's my friend… not a criminal," she asserted, finding his tone out of order. "And yes, I'm having lunch with him."
Sighing, he walked towards her and gently grabbed her hands, "Lana, I'm sorry, but I just don't trust Luthors. I know he's your friend and all, still I can't help to think he has ulterior motives. He was after all your former boyfriend."
Slipping from his grip, she backed away. "You know, I was almost going to forgive your jealousy," she began. "But, now you're doubting my fidelity to you. I don't think I deserve that, nor do I have stand here and listen to it." Lana briskly turned around, stepping quickly towards the door.
"Fine, leave," Andrew's short temper flared, instantly regretting the words that slipped from his lips. He fisted his hands, placing them upon his desk in frustration. He should've apologized immediately. "Lana," he called after her as he jogged towards the door. "Lana! Wait!" But, she was long gone.
He knew for sure he would receive the silent treatment from her for a couple of days. Who could blame her, really? Especially if she ever found out how far his suspicions had pushed him. Andrew knew she wouldn't be so forgiving this time. But, it was too late now. He had made the deal already. And, frankly, he was still curious.
~*~
Something seemed to be in the air. Lex wasn't himself. He was in no rush, business took a backseat, and the annoying radio advertisements didn't even seem to register. Driving through the slightly congested streets of Metropolis, Lex simply enjoyed the ease of the day. He wouldn't admit it to himself, but Lana had done it again. She had managed to creep into his life again and purge control… the control necessary to sustain the persistence of his father and enemies, the draining of business, the paranoia of being a Luthor. She made him forget the sadness… the emptiness of being Lex Luthor.
Taking a turn at the corner, he spotted her from afar. Even though she was dress incognito with a classic white trench coat reaching her knees and a matching scarf covering her hair, he could still recognize the petite beauty. He pulled up next to her as his window rolled down, "Excuse me, ma'am, you wouldn't need a ride, would you?"
She bent slowly, pulling down her sunglasses towards the end of her nose, "With you? (pausing with a sigh) I'd rather wait for the bus."
"Suit yourself," Lex smirked as he gradually accelerated.
Laughing, she called for him, "Lex, I was joking! Please don't make me chase after you."
Looking back in his convertible, he stopped, "Sounds tempting, but I'll be kind… get in."
"I knew you'd stop," she quipped, making herself comfortable on the passenger seat. "So where are we heading?"
Stepping on the gas, he nodded in amusement, "You know, I thought I carried myself with an abundance of arrogance. But, I believe you've begun a battle of egos, which you're clearly winning."
"If I didn't smell that strong odor of jealousy, I'd be offended," she smiled wittingly. "Now, can you please tell me where we're going?"
"Ouch," he feigned. "Don't worry, we'll get there soon. It's a surprise."
Lana stole a glimpse at Lex, reveling in the moment, in his demeanor of mystery and casualness. There was such comfort to his presence that complimented her desire to escape. Whatever it meant, she didn't want to know or overanalyze… just enjoy the emptiness that was being filled.
~*~
After driving and bantering childishly, Lex reached a rugged terrain at the side of an empty road. A perplexed Lana scanned the area, "Lex, I know we agreed to try some place different, but this isn't what I had in mind."
"Am I smelling the strong odor of fear from Smallville's very own kicking-boxing Homecoming queen," Lex questioned teasingly.
As she retorted back with a few sarcastic remarks, Lex drove onto an unpaved, dirt path surrounded by bushes and trees alike. The path was short, leading them directly to Lex's intended surprise. "As much as I would love to hear your attempt to defeat my wit, take a look," he pointed at the view in front of them.
Lana quieted and turned towards the breathtaking scenery. Meadows of flowers turned into expanding grasslands, and further into fields of wheat. It was calming picture reminiscent of their days in Smallville. "It's beautiful, Lex," she admired as she stepped out.
"This is the other pathway onto Smallville. No one uses the road on the side to get there. And sadly, no one lives in this area. I don't understand why." Lex sounded far away for seconds, shaking off his contemplation on the view as he leaned against his car next to Lana. "Whatever their reason is, I'm not buying it. Instead, I'm buying the land you and I are standing on."
Lana looked away from the area to Lex with confusion and astonishment. "You're buying this land? What are you going to do with it," she inquired, curious by his purchase.
"Build my own haven," Lex answered with a distant expression.
Lana stared at him as he kept his gaze steady on the fields. There was that feeling again, and rather than attempting to intellectualize the emotions driving the beat of her heart, she obeyed her instincts. Lana drew herself closer to Lex, gently resting her head on the rim of his shoulder. Her small hand met his fingers that lay against the hood of the car. He welcomed the gesture, softly caressing her skin.
The moment would have been lasting for Lex had he not noticed a flash of some kind from the corner of his eye. He didn't interrupt their frozen minute for Lana's sake, but still stood vigilant for the outside presence. Whoever was trying to invade their privacy would have a difficult time escaping his scrutiny once he made a few calls.
~*~
Next day…
Some areas in Metropolis when the sun's rays fade are desolate and alien versus the madness of the lights and night owls parading the streets of the city. These ignored locations are left for private transactions between people of all kind, including Andrew. The attorney was parked in an empty lot, simply waiting patiently for an arranged meeting.
Out of the darkness appeared a man who directly walked towards Andrew's car. Reaching his window, he quickly handed him a manila envelope without even looking at the attorney. "I think you'll find some of the pictures quite interesting," he mumbled. "You know where to send the payment. Until next time, Mr. Phillips." The man in the black coat walked away, exiting the lot.
Andrew immediately opened the envelope and went through the pictures slowly, analyzing each as anger and jealously built. The images were all of Lex and Lana's "lunch dates" from the past week. Their proximity in each picture was too close for comfort in his opinion… and her face… god, her face held that spark, a vivacity he had never seen before. When he reached the last series of pictures, he had to stop; for, he couldn't ignore their demeanor in the first of the series. There she was laughing, leaning her forehead against his chest. Her hands grasped softly onto the sides of his arms while he was leaning slightly back with an effortless smile on his face. He hated that smug grin. He hated the comfort they obviously felt in each other.
And there was last: Standing next to each other against his luxury convertible with their backs to the camera. He didn't notice the scenery or anything surrounding, only their hands. "I've had enough," Andrew thought to himself as he started the car and accelerated with rage.
~*~
Lex decided to stay late in his office at LuthorCorp. Putting all thoughts aside from yesterday's outing with Lana, he rummaged through some papers he had to sign. His focus, however, was interrupted by heavy footsteps entering his office. He looked up and eyed his unexpected visitor with nonchalance.
The uninvited guest strode directly to Lex's desk, standing right in front of his target. "I'm guessing we can bypass formalities… you know who I am and you probably already know why I'm here," he asserted.
"Would you like to sit down, Mr. Phillips," Lex indifferently asked his frustrated visitor.
"No… I rather stand," Andrew replied with clenched teeth. "I'm not here to chat, Mr. Luthor, but to simply give you a warning: Stay away from her. Need I remind I'm not only her fiancé, but also the DA of Metropolis."
Lex smirked, not at all phased by Andrew's warning. "If I didn't know any better, Mr. Phillips, I'd say that was a threat," he contended. "Frankly, if I were you, I'd step cautiously on unfamiliar territory… you wouldn't want to accidentally trigger anything."
"Your threats won't get you anywhere," Andrew retorted, growing angrier at Lex's smug disregard. "Just stay away from Lana. Your father and you are criminals, and she doesn't need to be surrounded by the likes of Luthors."
Lex's patience was thinning. He stood up, "Mr. Phillips, I suggest you check your insecurities with Lana. In fact, be sure to show her the pictures." Lex went around his desk, picking up his drink and sipping it as he eyed the irritated attorney with vindictive pleasure. "I'm sure you can find your way out, Mr. Phillips."
Andrew turned around, heading for the door only to stop short of it, "This isn't over by a long shot, Luthor. Remember, I still have the girl."
Lex simply stared at the attorney who speedily exited his office. His last words imprinted in his mind. He didn't want it to get to him, but it certainly bothered him. Alone in his office, he felt those words grow in magnitude.
~*~
A furious Andrew made his way to Lana's penthouse. He was intent on putting everything on the table. There was no way he was going to allow his future wife to associate herself with a criminal. Not to mention, their friendship was in question. Lex and her were getting too close for his comfort.
He unlocked her door only to be surprised by the array of disorder in her home. "Lana," he called out, confused and concerned over the throw articles in her usually clean environment. "Lana, are you here?!"
Suddenly, he heard her yelling. He ran over to her room, "Lana, what going on? Are you okay?"
"Why?! Why doesn't this cycle just stop," she asked in despair as she threw a vase to the wall. In tears, she dropped to the floor on knees, shaking uncontrollably. "I can't believe this… it's not true, it can't be." She whispered to herself, losing all rationality and orientation. Lana didn't even notice Andrew in the room.
Her fiancé ran to her, kneeling down beside her. "Lana, what's going on? Let me help you. Why are you crying," he questioned impatiently. He hadn't the slightest idea what was troubling her, and she wasn't helping. She just kept whispering to herself. All he could do was embrace her, try to provide any sort of comfort for her. As he did, Andrew noticed a piece of paper she was clutching in her hand. He grabbed it while whispering soothing words in her ear.
Once she let go, he opened it up and saw that it was message from police headquarters. Now he understood.
~*~
Not to worry, I'll update soon. In the meantime, you can review, criticize, compliment, anything you want to keep me going;) Hope you enjoyed it.
