Lena never got used to the first, chilly plunge at 5am. Despite logging thousands of hours in the pool since age 9, breaking swimming records at her alma mater, and starting every morning with a rigorous butterfly sprint, she loathed the temperature shock of the inaugural dive. At least, she pretended to hate it, especially when in the presence of the fellow early risers of Metro Avenue Luxury Apartments.
Usually arriving at the Hydro Spa and Pool around the same time as a few other tenants each morning, Lena went through the motions of rubbing away imaginary goosebumps on her arms and pretending to psyche herself up. She'd shoot a coy smile to her neighbor Warren as he lumbered through a backstroke in the middle lane. He would offer reassuring advice: You'll warm up in no time, take it from an old sloth like me! And you move twice as fast! Not wanting to lay it on too thick, she'd concede after a quick shoulder shake and finally jump.
And despite the charade she'd put on moments before, the second Lena slid out of the humid air and into the water's embrace she was euphoric.
Being underwater gave her tranquility. The layer of "Lena Luthor: Metro City's Next Millennial Mogul'' dissolved to reveal Lena Laomeidia from the planet Nodeisi. This Lena, the true Lena, was incredibly strong, able to breathe underwater, and could sprout powerful fins that propelled her faster than a Donzi. But this Lena could only exist for these brief moments of submersion.
Not wanting to arouse any suspicion, Lena Luthor would reluctantly resurface, swim at the pace of a (Olympic-level) human, and prepare for her earthly responsibilities. Water was home. In fact, it was the moment of exiting the pool that Lena truly loathed.
The elevator dinged as it arrived at the twelfth floor of L Corp, doors sliding open to reveal the effervescent Jess. She wielded a folder in one hand and a steaming latte in the other.
"Good morning, Ms. Luthor! Here are the reports you requested for your 8 o'clock."
Her assistant fell into step with Lena as she strode purposefully towards her office. Lena nodded hello to her employees as her clicking heels echoed throughout the space.
"Thank you! So," Lena leaned in playfully, lowering her voice as she glanced around the floor, "how'd it go?"
"So fun!" Jess beamed, a small blush creeping up her cheeks. "We went to this speakeasy downtown to check out a cover band - apparently he's a big fan of oldies. We danced a little. He was a perfect gentleman... and he asked me out again on Saturday!"
"Damn right he did. Sounds perfect!" Lena congratulated her as they arrived at her massive office. She was thrilled for her assistant, grateful that she wasn't too absorbed in L-Corp responsibilities to enjoy her twenties. If one were to evaluate Lena's work-life balance, they would likely say she took on too much for a 28-year-old. But Lena saw the business as something bigger than herself, something that allowed her to contribute in the safest way possible. Therefore she was willing to take on workloads that left little room for leisure.
"It totally was!" Jess gushed. "Not bad for online dating. Anyway, I'll go check your messages for the morning!"
Lena chuckled while her assistant scurried off, settling at her computer and pulling up her schedule. As anticipated, she had meetings all day to plan the gala, the first of which was starting shortly. Never a minute to spare. She took a hearty swig from her latte and straightened out her blazer, ready to put her CEO skills to use.
After a particularly heated negotiation - and reminding one Morgan Edge that he was not dealing with a timid schoolgirl - Lena power walked to her office from the boardroom for her 4pm appointment. Her pet peeve was lateness, but her meetings with the temperamental investor always put her a good fifteen minutes behind schedule.
Rounding the corner, Lena was met with sandy blonde hair woven into a neat braid. The guest was turned away from her, fixated on the colorful artwork adorning the wall. Lena barely lessened her pace as she greeted her.
"You must be the Catco reporter. Right this way!" She said breathlessly, barely looking up from her reports as she led the figure inside. She strode to her desk, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
"Please, make yourself comfortable, Ms...?" Lena offered as she sat down, for the first time turning her attention to the woman in front of her. Her gaze locked with striking blue orbs as she straightened some files on her desk.
"Danvers, but, uh, you can call me Kara." The reporter answered, eagerly retrieving a notepad from her messenger bag. A slightly red tint crossed her cheeks, "Sorry about my gawking back there," she gestured towards the lobby, "I couldn't help admiring the Callen Schaub painting. I assume that's the original Argosy of Adventure?"
"You have quite the eye, Kara." Lena complemented, observing the woman across from her. Kara wore simple black-framed glasses and a peter pan collar. It was conservative attire that subtly hinted at an athletic frame underneath. There was a nervous energy about the bonde, and Lena was determining whether it was rooted in wholesomeness or deception.
"Well, it's hard not to be mesmerized by Schaub's work. There's a certain calm you get from each piece. The precision of the angles contrasted with the randomized paint splatter, it's a welcome distraction sometimes."
This chick is a romantic, for sure, Lena concluded to herself.
"Well then, Kara, you've established that you have taste. I'll admit, I didn't peg you for the modern art type. Aren't Catco reporters more preoccupied with the sins of high-waisted jeans than contemporary explorations of mental health?" She challenged, earning a laugh from Kara.
"Some of them, maybe," She nodded as if accustomed to such assumptions. Kara spun her pen absentmindedly. "But most of us just enjoy connecting with people, finding hidden truth and sharing it out."
Lena arose quickly from her seat, walking over to pour some water for her guest.
"I suppose we Luthors are mercifully boring in that regard," the brunette noted, uncorking the crystal decanter that housed scotch after business hours. "Rule following, transparency, and tame extracurriculars don't make for sexy headlines. You don't need to dig far to discover how un-hidden the Luthor truth is."
"The Luthors', maybe. But I want to know yours."
"How are the two any different?"
"Well you're the first female CEO of the company, you've spearheaded alien-inclusive initiatives, and, most recently, opened a childrens' hospital under the 'boring' Luthor name." Lena chuckled lightly at Kara's playfulness.
"You're making waves, Ms. Luthor. But not much is known about you."
Lena returned to the desk. The blonde gratefully accepted the water, fingers brushing as it was handed to her. The tingling of the brunette's hand was overshadowed by a nagging feeling that she'd seen this face before.
"Please, if you prefer Kara, then by all means-"
"Lena it is. I, well, the Catco readers are just curious to know you. What drives you?"
"Representing my last name." Lena shrugged casually.
"How have you managed to stay so under the radar?"
"By not flaunting my first name in the process."
The reporter was unconvinced.
"Not flaunting…or concealing?"
"Ah, some steel under that argyle." Lena was pleasantly surprised to see a tenacious side to the reporter. She maintained eye contact while taking a slow swig of her water.
"There's plenty of privilege afforded by my last name, obviously. My family owes it to National City, to everyone, to advocate for those who don't have the same means. And while I'm still learning the entirety of what that entails, I intend to pay that. Anything else is a distraction."
The reporter nodded, scribbling on her notepad. She was interrupted as she was about to ask her follow-up question by a call. Funnily enough, Lena could have sworn the blonde whipped out her phone one millisecond before it actually went off.
"I'm so sorry! It's my sister, I hope you don't mind me taking this?" Kara winced, but already had the phone to her ear.
"Not at all! Please, take your time."
The brunette watched as Kara took her call out on the office balcony. She was speaking quickly, a look of concern washing over her features. The CEO occupied herself with the paperwork on her desk as the blonde ended her call and re-emerged.
"My apologies, Lena, it looks like my sister's car broke down. I've got to go pick her up."
"Of course! I hope she's ok!"
"Oh yeah, she'll be just fine! I've been telling her to get that rust bucket inspected for ages, she's just stubborn." Kara laughed, shaking Lena's hand. "I really appreciate you taking time for our interview."
"No sweat. I hope this isn't the last time we talk." Lena smirked.
"Me neither."
There was that blush again, as the blonde rushed out of the office. Lena decided it wasn't a bad color on Supergirl.