A/N2: January 9, 2013: Another edit for you. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Smallville.
A/N: Hey! Has it really been since the end of August since I last updated this? I am so sorry. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Please R&R!
Chapter 17:
Tuesday morning came all too quickly for Chloe, though, when she glanced at her watch she saw that she'd awoken later than she normally would on a weekday. She wanted to say it was because of staying up late, but she hadn't. She knew the reason she'd slept in till nine-thirty was because she'd been way too comfortable in Lex's big bed.
Leaning back on her elbows, she suddenly noticed something or rather, someone, was missing from this cozy situation.
"Now, where's Lex?" she said to the empty room.
Chloe pulled the covers back, digging her toes into the luxurious carpet. There, on the nightstand closest to her, was an envelope with her name on it. Picking it up, she pulled out the slip of paper inside. It read:
Chloe,
I had to get up early to get to my meeting. I didn't want to wake you; I know how you 'love' mornings.
I'll be home around five. Feel free to make yourself at home. If you need anything, call my assistant and he'll get you whatever you like.
Love, Lex.
He'd attached his assistant's business card to the note. Chloe dropped it back on the table, knowing she probably wouldn't use it.
She had a smile on her face; the note was so considerate, it warmed her heart to read "Love, Lex." Things were really moving along between them, she thought wondrously.
Chloe stood there, like that, in a daze, a few moments more, before she shook her head, hoping to clear it. "All right," she said determinedly. "Lex is gone all day, so that means I need to find something to do on my own."
The first thing she decided on doing was get ready for the day. After taking a shower, she changed into a bright, multicolored dress. It was sleeveless, cinched at the waist only to flare slightly from the hips; as she looked at herself in the mirror, she decided a dress like this deserved to be taken out. But first, she had a couple things to do.
After a quick breakfast, Chloe pulled out her big binder portfolio. It contained almost every single article she'd ever written. She knew she'd already gone through it with a fine-toothed comb, but she once again sorted through it, making sure everything was in order for her interview tomorrow. By the time she was done, she felt completely ready for tomorrow and only a couple hours had passed since she'd woken up.
"Now," she said to herself. "Where to?"
Chloe contemplated this for a moment when it suddenly hit her.
"Of course!" she exclaimed. "I haven't seen her in forever."
Grabbing her jacket, purse, and portfolio for good measure, she headed for the door a minute later.
"I can't believe this," Lex yelled into the emptiness of his Luthorcorp office. He was completely frustrated and bewildered at the turn of events of today's meeting.
As if they were timed to his outburst, the doors to his office opened right then and in came Lionel Luthor.
"Lex, son, don't beat yourself up about this, these things happen," Lionel said sounding so sincere. That was Lex's first clue that something was amiss.
The mocking smirk on his father's face was the second.
Lex eyed his father carefully. "Why do I feel like you had something to do with this?" Lex wondered, voice low, dangerous.
"And what would I stand to gain by losing this deal?" Lionel replied, amused. Though, Lex could see the dangerous gleam in his eyes.
"Oh, I don't know, maybe humiliating me is your goal. Discredit me so the other shareholders don't take me seriously… " Lex replied bitterly.
"Son, I don't know who's filling your head with these fanciful lies—It's that Sullivan girl, isn't it? Lex," Lionel continued, managing to turn this conversation into yet another personal attack. "You must choose your company more wisely."
"This has nothing to do with Chloe, dad," Lex replied angrily. "This is all you."
Lionel sidled up to him, snake like. He put a hand on his shoulder and Lex had the urge to shrug it off. "You're my son, Lex. I want you to succeed. Just think about the… distractions you have in your life. Get them under control before the next meeting."
"Sure, dad," Lex humored him, his mood thoroughly darkened. "I'm leaving."
Marching out of the office, he had every intention of going home, even though it was only, eleven in the morning.
Just as Chloe opened the door, ready to leave the penthouse apartment, someone stepped in her way. She managed to halt herself just in time before she crashed into them.
Glancing up from the suit covered chest, she saw that it was an unhappy looking Lex who'd suddenly stepped in front of her.
"Lex?" she said quizzically. "But… your note said you wouldn't be back till later. Why are you back so early?"
Without any words, he stepped around her, heading straight inside. Worried by his sulky demeanor, she followed him, hoping he'd answer her. Instead, she watched as he slipped off his jacket and threw it with force onto the couch. She jumped slightly at his reaction. Something had clearly happened while he'd been out.
He went straight to the little mini bar in the corner of the room. Pouring himself a drink, he downed it quickly, before going for another.
"Lex, what's wrong? What happened?" she inquired shakily.
"Oh, nothing. I only lost about a billion dollars," he replied sarcastically.
She let out a sigh. "That's it," she replied, relieved. She had thought somebody had died.
"What do you mean 'that's it?' The deal I've been working on for months fell through. In case you didn't hear, I said I lost a billion dollars!" he replied tersely.
Struck by his condescending tone, she had no idea what she'd done to deserve the reaction. Angry, she retorted, "Oh, I heard. What I don't seem to get is why you're taking it out on me?"
"Maybe if you didn't distract me so damn much I could have closed the deal properly," he yelled back.
She held her palms up to him in disbelief. "Whoa, you're blaming this on me?" She shook her head furiously. "No way…Fine, if I'm such a distraction, I'll get out of your way!"
"Good!" he shouted, just as she'd grabbed her purse and slammed the door behind her.
In the minutes after Chloe had stormed out, Lex finally came to his senses and realized what he had just done.
"Oh God," he groaned out. He flopped down onto the couch, putting his head in his hands. "How could I be so stupid?"
Well that's it for take two of this chapter. Hope you liked and I hope you'll let me know what you think with a review. Thanks!
