CHAPTER FIVE
Disclaimers in Prologue I
The light felt harsh to her eyes when she regained consciousness. Remembering her last location before passing out, she had expected to be in the nurse's office, or worse, Smallville Medical. But having felt around before she fully opened her eyes, she knew that her bed was too high-end for either facility.
When she finally willed herself to take in the glaring light, she took a moment to look around her surroundings. Four-post bed with silk sheets and rustic architecture told her one thing.
"Hey," a familiar voice softly whispered. She turned to its origin and found Lex sitting at a chair with similar archaic theme as her bed. Speechless at how she could have ended up here, she continued to stare at him.
But he read her mind. "I was the one who caught you when you passed out at school," he answered. "I thought that you wouldn't appreciate the fuss if anyone found out about what happened, so I had Carmen rushed here along with other supplies you may need." He nodded back at her, and she found that wires and tubes were hooked all over her arm and under a Metropolis Sharks shirt.
Chloe raised an eyebrow at the shirt. "It's mine," Lex replied again. "They forgot the hospital gowns, and I thought you probably hate them as much as I do, so I offered something more comfortable."
"I never thought that you would own anything as casual," she said honestly.
Lex smirked. "Cracking jokes at my expense already," he teased. "I see that you're feeling better."
When Chloe only nodded, a wave of anxiety passed by him, which not only surprised himself but also disturbed him. He did not anticipate being this emotionally involved with her, and it frightened him a bit. As force of habit, he stood up and paced a little.
That startled Chloe. Lex was never one for emotional displays, even for something so trivial. His pacing back and forth indicated that something more was at play here, and she at least owed him a chance to bend her ear.
"Lex," she finally said. The billionaire stopped his slow strides and turned to her. She patted the space by her side as an invitation, to which he hesitantly accepted.
After a few false starts, she finally mustered enough energy and courage to speak. "Thank you," she began. "For saving my life."
He shook his head. "Dr. Stein saved your life," he pointed out. "I was only helping."
"That and more," she persisted, taking his hand that was idly situated closest to her. "Thank you for being there," she reinforced with a soft squeeze of his hand.
He nodded, mesmerized by her sincerity and her touch. "Anytime," he said.
"And I'm sorry," she continued. "For being so rash the other night."
He was about to respond when she held one of her hand up to stop him. "I'm still not fully convinced about your affections for me, Lex," she added. "Because it's something new and foreign to me that it's going to take time to get used to."
He sighed but nodded in understanding. "But I would very much like your friendship," Chloe almost implored, shocking him once again. Something might have happened between her and her friends, he thought.
The blonde spoke again, interrupting his mental self-conversation. "If you want to, of course."
"Absolutely," he said without reluctance. "I'll always be here for you, Chloe. As a friend or more. Just say the word."
She smiled in appreciation. "But I can't have you lying to your father," he added firmly. "He's worried about you, and he needs to know."
"I don't want him to worry needlessly," protested Chloe.
"But you can't let him go on, thinking that everything is okay," he argued. "You'll need his support and his love, and I'm sure that he'll never forgive himself if he loses you without knowing about this."
Chloe thought about it for what seemed like forever. Eventually, she nodded her head in agreement. "Okay, but only if you'll help me tell him. I don't think I could bear to see him devastated by this."
Lex covered their hands with his other. "As I said," he reassured her. "I'll always be there for you."