Finding Closure – Chapter 5
"Chloe," Lex dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. "It's nice to hear from you." He walked over to the bar and started to pour a drink.
Hearing the clink of glass, Chloe halfway laughed to herself, "You haven't changed. Put the drink down Lex and talk to me." She paused and heard him put the bottle top back on. "I would say that I'm sorr…"
"You and I both know that we are the last people that feel sorry about his death." Chloe listened to a death filled silence for at least thirty seconds. She heard the crunching sound of his leather couch in the background. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine."
"Don't lie. You've tried that once too many times around me." Chloe whispered.
Lex smirked and rolled his eyes, "I was hoping that over the phone you wouldn't be quite the reporter, but I see some things can never be lost even when one leaves their life behind. Things are best that can be expected. Companies are all worried about their assets now that dad is gone. Trying to reason with them and explaining he was never in control from jail has been a hard sale."
"Then they obviously are not those that you should be in business with in the first place. "
"Maybe, but they are viable companies that we need to work with."
"I'm sure there are others. Anyway, since you probably have all your phone calls monitored and tracked, you now have my number and if you ever want to talk, just let me know. You sound busy, so I'll let you go, but remember you have to take time for yourself. Just keep this between us please."
Lex closed his eyes and sighed, hoping where she wouldn't hear him. Chloe listened closer and heard it and smiled partially. She would have never imagined that she would have missed Lex Luthor of all people. "Will do." Another long pause caught the two of them. Lex had words floating around his conscious waiting to roll off his lips but couldn't do it. "Thanks for calling Chloe. It means a lot."
Chloe could hear a hint of hesitation in his voice as his last words came across the line. "Goodnight Lex." He heard the phone click off, and he dropped it to the ground. Closing his eyes, he rubbed his head and leaned over, crying.
He woke the next morning with an ache in his neck that would require an immediate massage treatment. Sliding his feet off the couch, he picked up the phone from the floor and looked at the table. He hadn't had a drink that night. She had done that to him. He secretly wondered if Chloe Sullivan was his personal answer to AA. Getting up and moving to his room, he changed clothes and checked his schedule. His secretary had moved all his appointments for the week for his sanity. She really shouldn't have. He sat on the edge of the bed and groaned at having nothing to do but grieve.
Going back to the office, he looked at the computer screen and opened his email. More junk mail and company proposals that could wait. He surfed the list and found one more from Chloe sent early this morning.
Lex,
I had to drop you another line before going to work. I know
people are going to judge you now by your father's actions.
Be mindful that only those closest to you know you best. I
don't know about Lana or Clark or even the Kents at this
point, but I think you can rise above this. Don't be your
father. Call me if you need someone to talk to.
Chlo
Lex stared at the email and thought about his underhanded scheme that he had cooked up. Chris was there to watch her. Things had to change, and he would eventually save her. The amount of work he was buried with didn't give him in the opportunity to make the trip he wanted before. Flipping through his electronic schedule again, he deleted the trip to the islands for two weeks from then.
Picking up the phone, he dialed a number on the desk in front of him and sighed as he waited for the other end to pick up. "Hello?"
"Charles, this is Lex Luthor. How are you this morning."
"Sleepy, we're in Australia training. What is going on Mr. Luthor? We aren't available for charter until October. The upcoming season is hot and we're down one man since Frank's wife had a baby."
Lex's lip curled into a smile at his luck; he was sure that his offer at first would have had to be more money and a squabble. "I have a favor. I know a young man in St. Thomas that is a sailing instructor that could serve as a good backup."
Lex waited for a few moments for the man on the other line to comprehend what was being offered. "This is for the World Cup Mr. Luthor. I can't have some kid screwing our chances to hell. The water in the Gulf of Mexico isn't exactly the same as the Brisbane coast."
"It would benefit you greatly in the brand new boat department."
Lex could practically see the old sailor rolling his eyes at such an offer. "Alright, send his information to me and I will start the transfer. He needs to report by day after tomorrow."
"Very well." Lex hung up the phone and pulled up the phone number of one Christian. Dialing the number, he waited patiently.
"St. Thomas Sailing Excursions, this is Chris." Lex was feeling doubly lucky with not having to deal with outsiders today.
"Chris, this is Lex Luthor. I have an offer for you. I need you to pack your bags; you are leaving tomorrow for Australia. You have a spot on the US World Team. You will have two plane tickets sent to your home by personal delivery at exactly 6 tonight. Do not skip this flight. There will be a doubled amount of money placed in your account for your silence and assurance that you will break up your relationship with Cherise."
"Yes sir," he answered bluntly. Lex knew there would be no argument from him over the ending of a the relationship. He had the perfect ending. He was getting an all star job, money, and a place to start over. Lex was getting the girl; she just didn't know it yet.
Hanging up the phone, he dialed one more number. "Yes, could you send me the website of the place on Water Island I had asked about a few days ago?" Lex hung up the phone and refreshed his email, waiting for the link from the realtor to show up on his screen.
Opening the email, he clicked the link, /07-1804vir .
He dialed the number again, "I'll connect you to my assistant who will get the papers drawn up. The keys need to be on my desk in four days."
Sitting back in his chair, Lex looked at the clock on the computer screen. He had just designed the perfect new plan in a mere hour. Turning to the stack of papers on his desk, he realized that the real world beckoned him now.
********
"My Cheri, mon amour," Chris came up behind Chloe had caused her to mix all the necklaces hanging from her arm.
"Don't do that, I have warned you. Anyway, shouldn't you be like at work or something?" She continued to string the necklaces on the different displays as Chris backed up and watched her. Lex had good taste for a man who liked women. She had been fun.
"Come on, tell the old woman you need a break. I got some news." Chloe looked behind her as Safina waved her out the door. "Let's go get something to eat." The two walked to the next set of store and sat in the outdoor café.
"So, what is up?" Chloe sat back and held Chris's hand while she noticed his constant fidget. "This can't be good," she corrected as he looked around in directions other than hers.
"It's good, but for me. I got a call this afternoon from a team captain in Australia. I was picked up for the World's team. I'm just a backup, but it'll get me professional exposure. It's just that I have to on a plane tomorrow."
Chloe let go of his hand and looked at him confused. "I don't get it. We're breaking up aren't we?" She waited for an answer but his drop in his head was all she needed. She fiddled in her purse for some cash and threw it down. Walking down the stairs, she felt his hand on her arm. "Let go of me."
"Look, I found out this afternoon. They are a missing a man – it's the way it is. You were the first one I told; you've known exactly 30 minutes less than I have." Chloe pulled from his grip and kept walking back to the store.
"That doesn't change the fact you dropped this in my lap."
"What are you so upset about? I can't turn this down." Chris took her in his arms and pulled her into him. He could feel the warmth of her tears on his sunburned shoulder. Running his hands through his hair, he tried to calm her in front of a small crowd he tried to shoo away. "You are an amazing woman, and someone will be very lucky to find and fall in love with you."
Chloe pulled from his shoulder and felt Chris wipe her tears from her face. "It wasn't supposed to be this way. I was supposed to be happy here."
"You will be. The islands are always strange bedfellows. You have all this to look forward to. I'm losing you and going to sea. I don't think there is a comparison."
"Then why go?"
"Because you don't turn down opportunity when it stares you in the face." Chloe tried to break a smile knowing he was telling the truth. "I'll write you."
"Don't lie." Chris nodded in agreement. She knew him well enough to know his tendencies to even make a date on time, much less stay in touch across the world from her. She hugged him once more and kissed him lightly on the lips. Sitting down on the stairs, she watched him walk back over toward the beach to quit his job.
"Some days are sunny and some days are hurricanes," Safina commented as she sat next to her. Chloe leaned on the woman's shoulder as Safina ran her hand over Chloe's still tear stained face. It was for the best, Chloe tried to reason; he was a dead end it seemed anyway. As her tears tapered off, she missed him. She wanted to talk to him, feel his arms around her comforting her. Lex.
TBC