-1Chapter Eleven- The new owner
Clark woke up early Sunday morning to get ready for the big inspection that Lex had spent all day yesterday preparing him for. He may have lost his only hold on Lana as far as Clark was concerned but Lex really didn't realize it. In some ways it was good for Lana but for Lex it was nothing but trouble. Clark was almost worried about what Lex would do, when his big mistake settled into his thick skull.
Clark dressed like he was going to work. Some dark dress pants and a light button down shirt, along with some shiney dress shoes. He never really dressed this nice, but seeing that today was about first impressions so to speak, he wanted to dress the par.
Lex wasn't in the dining hall when Clark went for breakfast. He had his usual bowl of cereal and a large glass of orange juice. He wasn't bothered as he finished eating in the peace and quiet. When he was finished he headed out to the garage. His bike wasn't where he'd left it, and he'd found Lex. He tossed Clark some keys and Clark reached out from reflex and caught them.
"Since you're a business man now, you need a way to get to work without messing up your firmed pressed clothes and that well combed hairdo." Lex said. Clark knew he was making fun of him and the way he wore his hair, but at least he had hair.
"Ha ha, so you're giving me a car?" Clark asked looking down at the keys.
"Yes and no. The car is for important matters and for business deals. You're bike is your's to keep and use for anything else. However, I'll have a few errands to run for you later. That's the deal." Lex said.
"Depends on the car, Lex." Clark said. Lex pointed to one on his left that was at the front of the garage and easiest to get out. It was a red and black Bugatti Veyron 16.4, one of the most expensive cars in the world.
"What about that car?" Lex asked. The way Clark ran his hand against the smooth finish, and smiled in awe at the external design, made Lex think that he won Clark over once again. Clark was impressed by the design and feel of the car but he turned back to Lex and tossed him the keys.
"I prefer my bike. If I want a car, I'll buy my own." Clark said. He found his bike against the wall and he brushed past Lex to get to it.
"I get the feeling you're a bit hostile towards me." Lex said. Clark laughed as he got on his bike.
"No Lex, I'm not hostile. I just don't want a new car. Thanks for the gift and all, but no thanks." Clark said.
With his million dollar smile, he started his bike and took off down the driveway. Lex watched him leave, proud that his foster son was wiser than he was. His father had always won him over with expensive gifts. The fact that Clark wanted to buy his own car with his own money, proved he was a better man than Lex when he was his age.
Clark parked his bike behind the Talon, where it could stay all day while he ran inspection. He hadn't gotten the keys yet. Apparently Lex couldn't find them for the moment, but Clark was going to take care of that easily. If Lex wasn't going to give them over, he was going to have the locks changed and better put in.
He walked around to the front and went in through the front door. The Talon wasn't open to the public yet, but the front door was unlocked. Clark walked in and saw the employees bustling around getting the place ready for the day's customers. Lana saw him and rushed over.
"We're not open yet." She said trying to be nice.
"I know. I suggest you leave the doors locked until your ready to open." Clark said, his hands tucked into his pocket as he looked around.
"Excuse me?" Lana asked shocked at him. "Who do you think you are?" Lana asked folding her arms across her chest. "No wait, let me guess. Lex sent you to do the inspection today hoping to get my guard down."
Clark chuckled and ran his finger across a table to check if it was dusty. "No, he didn't send me. The new owner did." Clark said looking over at her.
To say she was surprised was an understatement. "What do you mean new owner?" Lana asked.
"Just that, Lex is no longer the owner of the Talon." Clark said waving to the employees who had stopped to see what the commotion was about.
"What would convince Lex to sell the Talon?" Lana asked, complete shock evident on her face. Clark was amused by her reaction.
"He didn't sell it persay, but merely made a business agreement that suited his best interest." Clark said looking down into her hazel eyes.
Lana pulled back a little, still not getting what he was saying. Lex found something else worth more to him than her and the Talon. That meant she was free from his blackmail.
He had nothing on her to keep her in the relationship anymore.
Clark had never seen anyone smile so bright or so pure. She seemed different when the news settled in. She was less small, so to say. She looked like all the bad things in her life just vanished. Clark was glad that he could give her that kind of peace, even if it was at the expense of his soul.
"Now, do you think you could show me what everything does. I'd really hate to fail my quiz when I get back." Clark said.
Lana nodded and simply beamed up at him. She didn't know who the new owner was, but as long as it wasn't Lex she was happier than kid on their birthday.
"Do you know who the owner is?" Lana asked leading him to the back of the counter.
"I do, were really close." Clark said.
Lana led him over to the equipment, "So that's why they sent you over?" She asked again.
"Something like that." Clark said, watching as she explained how they made the coffee and what went into it.
Clark sat in the back at one of the tables while sipping on a latte, waiting for the last customers to leave. They were ready to close as soon as these locals decided they were ready to go home. Clark was almost tempted to kick them out, seeing that he was really tired. However they were usual customers and the Talon was known for its friendly service.
Clark fought off a yawn as they finally left. How Lana and the others could stand working all day with no break was a mystery to him. Lana closed and locked the doors when the last person left. She began picking up plates and bringing them to the front to get washed. She chuckled as she watched Clark fight off another yawn. He finished off his latte and stood. He went around gathering empty cups and plates to help clean up.
"You're actually helping clean up?" Lana asked.
"Yea why?" Clark asked looking over at her while he placed the dirty plates next to the others that needed cleaned.
"Lex never helped out." Lana said.
"Well I'm not Lex." Clark replied leaning over the counter to get a wash cloth.
Lana smiled and looked down at her hands. Clark had totally just flirted and didn't realize it, but it was the truth to tell. He was nothing like Lex and he was going to prove it. Clark went over to the tables and began to wipe them down. Lana watched him work and decided between the two of them they could get the store closed down. She let Amanda go early and went to wash the dishes. Clark had all the tables wiped down and the chairs on top when he went to get the mop. He watched as Lana washed the dishes in the counter.
Clark went to the second sink, next to the one she was working in. He filled it with hot water and got the soap so he could wash the floor. Clark worked quietly before he smirked. Lana was looking down in the sink, her arms covered in soap. Clark splashed some water on her from his sink.
She squealed and pulled her shoulders up in surprise. She looked over at Clark who acted like he didn't know what happened. She splashed him back. Clark looked over and acted upset and appalled by her splashing him with dirty dish water. She shrugged and smiled back at him. He grinned and scooped up a handful of water and tossed it onto her. She closed her eyes, with her hands up in defense. Clark broke out into laughter and she opened her eyes.
She splashed him with as much water as she could. Clark huffed and splashed back.
They fought until the sinks were empty and they were covered in water and soap. They laughed until they couldn't breath. When they finally sobered up, Lana tried reaching for some towels when she slipped on the water covered floor. Clark reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into his chest. She gasped and looked up at him their eyes connecting. A shiver went up his spine as he looked into her hazel eyes. He was amazed by how she simply fit into his arms. She coughed and straightened herself from his arms.
"Thanks." She said reaching for the towels again.
She handed him one and he dried himself off the best he could. There was only the floors left to clean, so Clark got the mop and began to wipe up the floors. Lana put the dishes away once she dried herself off. Clark finished quickly and hung the mop back up.
"Need me to do anything else?" He asked looking around the Talon to see what could possibly be done.
"No, in fact you didn't need to help clean up." Lana said, avoiding his gaze.
"If I'm here, I'll help." Clark said. He saw the smile from the corner of her lips. A beautiful sight to see, when she was relaxed enough to share it. "In fact, the new owner is going to fix some things around here." Clark said.
Lana did look up at him then, "He's going to change the Talon?" She asked.
Clark shook his head, "No, he likes it just the way it is. However I noticed some leaky faucets and some wobbly tables. It just needs some repairs that Lex obviously didn't feel like fixing." Clark said.
"Lex was only interested in using the Talon to keep me as his pet. This place was nothing to him, not even a good business investment." Lana said.
Clark could hear the resentment in her voice. Lex had just been using the Talon to keep her in the relationship. Now that Clark owned it, he could only wonder what the bald fellow had up his sleeve.
"You don't have to worry about that now. This place is going to get fixed up and it'll be blackmail free." Clark said.
"How can you be sure?" Lana asked.
"I promise you, no strings attached to this arrangement. Lex won't bother you again if you don't want him to." Clark said, promising his very soul to keep that the truth. Lana Lang was free from Lex Luthor as long as he breathed.