Chapter Three

She woke up sluggishly, as if she had slept for days on end, to find a young man of about 25 sitting in an armchair beside her. It looked as though he had just dozed off from lack of sleep, shown by the deep purple rings under his tired eyes. She sat up and looked around trying to decide where she was which wasn't where she remembered. All she could recall was talking to Clark in the barn and that was it. Suddenly he moved, stirring just enough to realize she was awake. "You're awake," he said with a start, "how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, but how…," she began when he raised his hand to silence her for the moment.

"I'll tell you later, but now you must eat something and regain your strength," he said, helping her out of the bed and towards the stairs. They walked slowly down the stairs, for both of them were a bit uneasy. He lead her into the kitchen and helped her to a seat; all the while Maria, a maid, was fixing some type of eggs. He sat in the chair across the table from her watching her with a twinkle in his eyes. He watched how carefully she ate and how delicately she moved her hands.

"You're not going to eat anything?" She asked as she ate steadily.

"I'm not that hungry, really," he said in a reassuring tone, "When you're done, there is something I have to show you." And with this he became silent, watching her lovingly. For his deepest secret was the love he had for her, he had kept it hidden for so many years but was now ready to tell her. She ate quicker than usual for she was curious as to what he had to show her. Once she was done, he grabbed her hand and said in a soft whispered tone, "Come with me this way."

"Where are we going?" she asked in the same whispered tone he had used, "And why are we whispering?"

"Shhhhhh," he whispered, slowing down a bit as they rounded the corner, "Close your eyes." She shut them automatically and let him lead the way.

"Ouch!" She yelped.

"Are you ok?" He asked in his casual, caring way.

"Yeah, I just hit my leg on something really hard," she said, lowering her voice back to the accustomed whisper, "Where are you leading………….." She stopped mid-sentence for he had abruptly stopped.

He turned to face her and said, "You can open your eyes now," he was completely calm in assurance that she would finally choose him over Clark and Whitney. She opened her eyes slowly to a dimly lit room, which had a warm fire going which was the only lighting. There was a blanket spread out on the floor and on top of it was a neatly wrapped present with a single rose laid gently across the top. He let go of her hand and said, "It's for you, go ahead and open it." She walked over and picked it up.

"What is it?" She asked, quite confused.

"You'll see," he said in his regular, quoi tone, "Open it."

She slowly and carefully opened the present to find a nice little box. She began to open it but stopped, saying, "Don't you think this is a bit fast?"

"What are you talking about?" He asked with a confused look on his face.

"This isn't an engagement ring is it?" She asked him holding out the small box.

"No," he said with a laugh.

"It's not?" She said, "but that's what it looks like and I'm not ready to get married."

"It's not an engagement ring," he said somewhat sternly, "Just open it! Can't a guy give a girl a gift without being accused of proposing marriage? Just open it!"

"Sorry I asked, but you don't have to get mad at me," she said as a few tears began to flow down her cheeks, "I already had a fight with someone. I don't want to have another with you." She turned to leave but was stopped by his delicate touch. She turned around to face him. "What?" She asked as the tears still ran down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry I got mad," he said, "I'm just a little anxious to see your reaction to the present, making me a little impatient. I hope you can find a place in your heart to forgive me."

"I'll forgive you and I'll open your gift," she said in a jeering tone and signed with gratitude as she began to open it. This time she did open it and inside was a necklace and a note, she picked up the note and read it:

Lana,

I've be keeping a secret from you. I've been masquerading as your business partner, but I've really been your lover from afar. I have wanted to tell you for a long time but I was afraid of how you would react. I finally realized that you only get one chance to tell the one you love how you truly feel and so many have passed me by. I'm not going to let fear rule me anymore, I'm going to tell you how I feel. I love you and I hope you feel the same way towards me.

Love always,

Alexander

She finished wiping the tears from her eyes. She took the necklace out and gave it to him, "Can you put this on for me?" She asked him, turning so that he could put it on her neck. He delicately put the necklace on her and then turned to get the poker for the fire was dying when she grabbed his arm gently. He turned to look deeply into her eyes as she said, "I love you too." She had finally realized why she never felt that true connection with Clark. It was because she was secretly in love with him, that's why nothing Clark did was good enough. They embraced in a loving hug before he pulled her out, softly, and kissed her sweetly on the head. Then to his surprise Lana touched his face gently bringing it down to her level and kissed him on the lips. This is that first kiss that any girl waits for when you finally get up enough courage to kiss the man you've loved and will love forever. The feeling she got when she kissed him was indescribable for none of the others could even come close to how she felt when she was in Lex's arms.