Four days later, Eve traipsed onstage to do her act, when she saw Lex in the audience. He was at the best table, of course, and wearing the brightest suit. She almost hadn't recognized him at first, as his hair was in a different style and, again, by some trick of the light seemed to be a different color. He smiled and gave her an almost imperceptible wave. She broadened her already wide performance grin and threw in an extra few hip bumps in his direction. The second the show was over, she threw on her dress, not bothering to remove her stage makeup. When she opened the door and saw him calmly talking with Mr. Priver, though, she took a few seconds to smooth her hair down and walk towards them with all the dancer's grace she could muster.

When he saw her, he gave her a smile she hadn't seen on him before. For once, he looked genuinely happy to see her.

"Evie" Mr. Priver beckoned "room two."

"Yes, Mr. Priver." She grabbed Lex's hand and led him to the room. He closed and locked the door behind him before gently cupping her chin in his hand.

"Miss Teschmacher, you're wonderful."

"Really?" she beamed, and nuzzled his hand.

She knew she had overdone it when he quickly let go of her.

"Four hundred?" He reached into his blazer pocket.

"Four hundred forty."

He took a stack of bills out of his jacket and handed her money to her after counting it out. Satisfied, she put it in her purse, and returned her attention to Lex.

"So, how did Vauxhall take it? I wanna know everything that happened!"

"All right." He sat on the bed and she joined him. "Well, I developed the film, and it was just perfect."

"Yeah?"

He nodded. "Exactly what I had in mind. They made him look like a pervert with a taste for flashy, cheap hookers. So, I called him that night, and explained…"

Eve had stopped listening, though, the words "flashy, cheap hooker" exploding in her mind.

"…and without another word, five million dollars into my bank account."

"That's nice, Lex."

"What is it, Miss Teschmacher?"

"What do you mean, 'What is it'? I said 'that's nice'. What do you want me to say?"

"Are you upset that I called you cheap? Miss Teschmacher, anyone off the street can have you for twenty dollars."

"Well, proving I'm cheap doesn't make me feel any better."

He sighed impatiently. "I just gave you four hundred and forty dollars for being a cheap hooker."

She bit the inside of her lip. Normally she wouldn't have minded so much, but she'd been so excited to see him, and her PMS was worse than usual, leaving her more vulnerable than she would have been otherwise. "I just don't like being called that" she was able to say haltingly.

"You mean, 'flashy', 'cheap', or 'hooker'? Or is it just that specific combination?"

She rolled her eyes at his insensitivity, "God, can't we just forget it? You paid me, what else do you want to stick around for? I'm sure you've got some non-flashy, non-cheap…non-hooker to spend your time with."

"As it happens, I don't at the moment. And as for my sticking around, I was wondering if you'd like me to take you out to dinner?"

"What?"

"Sure, I was thinking of taking you to Walch's to celebrate properly. But if you're going to act like-"

"No, no, of course I'll go!" She pressed her body against his, happy to forget anything he'd called her. After all, if she was going to be with Lex Luthor, she would have to get used to the fact that he was completely heartless.

"Lex, you're wonderful."

"I know."

After a few words with (and some bills slipped to) Mr. Priver, Lex led Eve to the car. "Have you been to Walch's before?"

"Walch's?" She had to let out a giggle. "No, not yet. But my mother's asking me all the time if I've eaten there yet. I'm from Hackensack, so, I'm not exactly used to high-class places like Walsh's. You probably go there all the time."

"I wouldn't say that; I'd say I go twice a week, maybe."

"Gosh, Lex" she exhaled, "I just can't believe I'm with you."

"I know, shocking, isn't it?"

She unsuccessfully tried to stifle a sigh of annoyance, which he pretended not to notice.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the restaurant, and she couldn't believe that she was actually stepping under the famous blue awning to go inside. They sat down as a veritable army of attentive waiters appeared seemingly out of nowhere and began taking their orders and bringing them drinks.

Once she got over her awe, she spent most of the date just listening to Lex talk, as it clearly seemed to be the way they both preferred it. She didn't understand a lot of what he said, but would smile and nod whenever he asked her if she had read a particular book or seen a particular play, then agree with him whenever he would state an opinion on it. Initially, she tried to make mental notes to read everything he was talking about, but soon the task became too daunting, and she found herself simply staring at him, while trying to look intelligent at the same time. She made him visibly annoyed a few times, especially when he remarked that the dénouement of a particular play was disappointing, and she agreed that he was her least favorite character too. She could tell that he enjoyed it, though, because the dumber she was, the smarter he became by comparison.

If she didn't quite appreciate the conversation, at least the food wasn't lost on her. Lex took the liberty of ordering for her, and she was nearly overwhelmed at how good food could actually be. She'd spend most of her life living off of TV dinners, hot dogs, and free pretzels, but Walch's was too good to be believed. There wasn't very much of anything, but it was all delectably laid out, with the artichoke leaves spread out like a fan, lightly drizzled in sauce, the tiny dollops of caviar, the delicately carved duck, it was heaven on a plate, and she embarrassed herself by eating everything in front of her, and about a third of what was in front of him.

When they were back in the car, she was about to make a suggestive comment about wanting to see where he lived, but knew that she would met only with that smug little smile. As they neared her neighborhood, she became acutely aware of the kind of car Lex had and how it looked in the dark, trash bag littered streets. She wanted to stay in the car, wanted to stay a part of the world of Walch's. They finally reached her building (she didn't even bother asking how he knew her address without having asked) and she reached for the car door handle.

"Want me to walk you to your door?"

"Oh yeah. Absolutely!" She tried not to sound too eager, but when guys offered to walk her to her door, it only meant one thing.

They stepped out of the car and up the small flight of stairs that led to the door of the building,

"So, you'll see me again sometime?"

He nodded. "I'm sure I'll find some further use for you."

"Will you see me even if you don't?"

He laughed and brushed some strands of hair from her face. "Sure, Miss Teschmacher."

Again, there was that smile that made her feel like an idiot. That smile that made her want to punch him in the nose. Or at the very least…without thinking, she leaned forward slightly and tilted her face upwards. After a slight, horrible hesitation, he took advantage of the invitation. She'd been kissed before, and in plenty of different circumstances, but never quite like that. It wasn't quick and desperate, but it wasn't wet and sloppy; it was self-assured, slow, and through. He seemed to kiss her in every way possible, biting her lower lip, sucking on her upper lip, slipping his tongue in her mouth, and just kissing her. His hands dug into her waist as he held her as closely as possible. She kissed back as best she could, of course, standing on tiptoe to do it perfectly.

When he finally pulled away, she kept her hands on his shoulders.

"Do you wanna stay the night? I don't think my roommate'd mind" She knew there were more delicate ways to ask, but at that moment, she wanted him too badly to care.

"No, Miss Teschmacher. I think you're a little drunk, and I'd better get back."

"Oh, okay. But I'll see you again, though, right?"

"Yes, Miss Teschmacher, I just said that."

She tried to get another kiss from him, but he turned and went back to the car. She ran up the stairs to her apartment, and closed the door with a happy sigh.

"Hey, Evie, what's up?"

"Lyds, guess how much I made tonight?"

"Um…fifty?"

"Oh no."

"A hundred?"

"Nope."

Lyds raised her eyebrows.

"Four hundred forty."

"No shit!" Lydia shrieked. "Jesus Christ, fuck! That's—God, what are you gonna do with it?"

"Rent and debt first. Then some new dresses, then some nice dinners, then the rest will go in the bank."

"How'd you get it?"

"Mm, wouldn't you like to know?" She gave a little wriggle before changing into a T-shirt to sleep in.

"Well, it had to be with Lex Luthor, so tell me, was it something super weird?"

"Nah, just the usual stuff. I mean, I'm sure that sometimes he likes it exciting, but this time it was just vanilla. Really good vanilla."

"Damn."

"I know!" She got into bed and the two of them discussed her future purchases well into the night.