Chapter 15

Lex threw a party that evening for Harmony, to celebrate their engagement. The mansion was filled with the citizens of Smallville that Harmony had befriended, as well as many of Lex's employees and their families. He'd had a band flown in from Metropolis, and the servants of the mansion were fast to whip together a beautiful Valentine's-theme event.

"This is great, Lex!" Harmony grinned excitedly as she and Lex extended the stairs together. "The place looks awesome, and this band sounds so good."

"I'm glad you're having a good time, my dear," Lex kissed her cheek. "You look amazing."

She was wearing an elegant, shimmering red dress that had been a gift from Lex, complete with matching heels and shawl. She'd done her hair up in curls, weaving a mesh net of tiny diamonds through it so her hair sparkled. Lana had helped her prepare, and Chloe was present at the party as a reporter, but neither of them knew about her engagement to Lex. Lex complimented her dress with a black tux and red vest.

"You do, too, Handsome," Harmony touched Lex's cheek, taken aback once again by the ring Lex had proposed to her with. "Let's go have a good time."

Lex smiled and escorted Harmony down the stairs.

"Harmony!" Lana called out. She hurried over, wearing a beautiful black evening dress that perfectly complimented her straight black hair. "Wow. You look great."

Harmony hugged her friend. "Thanks. So do you."

Lex picked up two glasses of wine from a wandering waiter and handed one to Harmony. "Excuse me!" he called, tapping the glass with his fingernail. "May I have everyone's attention, please?"

Slowly, the guests began to quiet down. Harmony watched Lex, captivated by his power over the room, his dominance over his guests. Yet, he seemed calm where Harmony felt overwhelmed.

Finally, Lex spoke up. "I have an announcement to make. Earlier today, I asked my beautiful girlfriend, Harmony Kent, to be my wife. I'm happy to declare that she accepted my proposal. So, friends, family, and everyone else, I'd like to present the future Mrs. Luthor."

As the crowd burst into thundering applause, Lex held his arm out to Harmony. She stepped into his embrace and he pressed his lips against hers, dipping her as he kissed her. Harmony gasped, then kissed him back. When she pulled away, she was grinning. "I love you, Lex," she whispered.

Lex's grin was at least as big as her own. "I love you, too."

"Hey!"

Harmony looked up to see Chloe laughing. "Picture of the happy couple!" Chloe lifted her camera and began clicking. "Show us that rock!" Chloe demanded from behind the lens, so Harmony held up her left hand. Chloe clicked once, then lowered the camera. She was staring at the ring. "That's exquisite," she murmured, grasping Harmony's hand to get a closer look. "It's perfect."

"It is amazing, isn't it?" Harmony couldn't stop smiling as she looked up at Lex, then back at Chloe.

"Lana has so got to see this!" Chloe squealed, yanking Harmony away from Lex.

They wove through the crowd, calling out Lana's name until they finally found her. She was equally thrilled about Harmony's engagement to Lex. After the initial shock of Lex's announcement and the view of Harmony's ring, the party continued. Finally, in the early hours of morning, the guests finally went home. Harmony waved to Lana, who was the last to leave, then turned to Lex, collapsing into his arms.

"I'm exhausted," she sighed, resting her head on his chest. She could have fallen asleep right there, listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

Without saying a word, Lex scooped Harmony up. With a grin and a kiss, he carried her up the stairs to her room. "I'll wait for you to get changed," he whispered to her as he set her down, then sat in a chair outside her door. "You looked wonderful tonight, by the way. I hope you had a good time."

Harmony turned around as she started to close the door. "Thank you, Lex. It was fabulous." She stepped back to him, leaning down to draw him into another kiss. This one was deep and passionate. "I love you," she grinned as she pulled away, then disappeared into her room.

Lex waited for almost twenty minutes before knocking gently on the door. "Harmony?" When she didn't answer, he eased the door open, to see her already asleep at the foot of her bed.

With a smile, he gently lifted her up and carried her to the pillows. He tucked her under the thick comforter and kissed her cheek as softly as he could. Then, he slipped from the room, carefully pulling the door shut behind him.