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𝑷𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻, 𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟑
After an hour in the Luthor mansion, Ariella wished to be elsewhere.
She had fixed Lex's suit a dozen times in that hour, feeling the tension in the air. Chloe had asked Ariella and Clark for help interviewing Lex for the school newspaper, The Torch.
Ariella stood in front of Lex in a corner while she heard hushed whispers coming from the side. She rolled her eyes as Chloe continued to yell at Clark around Lex's office.
"So, this is the fifth time now," Lex said. Ariella lifted her head while he continued. "Fixing my tie."
Ariella smiled as her hands worked around the knot until it came loose. "It's better than being yelled at by the slave driver."
"Yeah, I don't want to be Clark right now," Lex muttered.
Ariella lifted a shoulder as her hands splayed on Lex's chest before looping the black tie through her fingers. "She means well."
"Yeah. I'm just sorry Chloe dragged you into all of this," Lex explained.
She straightened his tie and glanced up at him. "I had nothing better to do."
It was winter break, and Ariella didn't want to return to Metropolis like her brother, leaving her with her aunt. She also wanted to avoid going to lavish parties or charity events. Ariella wanted something to distract her at this time of year. Her mother had loved the holidays, and she loved them too. But the holidays reminded her that the one person she wanted by her side wouldn't be.
She's gone and wasn't coming back.
"Are you ready now, Clark?" Chloe asked impatiently, going towards her seat in front of Lex.
Clark moved towards the camera before answering, "Yeah. I forgot to press the record button. Sorry."
Ariella moved towards the other side of the camera, trying to hide the smile forming on her lips. She looked up to see Lex sitting down, holding his hands behind his mouth as he locked eyes with her.
"So, Mr. Luthor, are there any more secret construction projects going on at LuthorCorp like Level 3?" Chloe inquired.
"Please, call me Lex." He stated calmly.
"Okay. Lex, are you going to answer my question?" Chloe snapped.
"Chloe," Clark interjected.
She turned around to face Clark. "What?"
Ariella shook her head, knowing this would be a long night for everyone involved.
"It's okay, Clark," Lex told him. "Our critics are our friends. They show us our faults."
