The Meeting Wednesday

The elevator chimed softly as it descended to the main floor, the mirrored doors reflecting Lex's unreadable expression.

They slid open, the sleek marble lobby stretched out before him, pristine and polished to a shine. It was design by Barnie for Barnie. It represented wealth and power bundle in to a package.

And then he saw her.

Rose Russo.

She was crossing the room quickly, balancing a small stack of packages against her hip. Her hair was tied back loosely, a few strands escaping to frame her face. The sharpness in her movements hadn't changed—like she always had somewhere to be.

Lex froze, a wave of memories crashing into him.

In this life, she didn't know the choice he'd made the first time: to help her, to pull her into his world. Buying her an apartment, giving her a scholarship and hiring her mom.

It was a decision that had changed everything—for both of them.

She didn't see him at first.

"Delivery from Mr. Maddox's estate," Rose said to the receptionist. Her voice was even, professional, but Lex could hear the weariness beneath it, a tone that spoke of long days and heavier burdens.

"Barnie's lucky," Lex called out, his voice cutting through the muted hum of the lobby.

Rose stiffened, freezing mid-motion.

Slowly, she turned, her sharp brown eyes locking onto him. Her expression flickered with recognition, followed by a guarded wariness.

"…Lex?"

Lex smirked, casually leaning against one of the lobby's marble columns. "Didn't expect to see you here."

She studied him, her gaze sweeping over him like she was trying to solve a puzzle that didn't quite fit.

"You're early," she said finally, her tone clipped.

Lex chuckled. "So I've been told."

Rose stepped closer, the packages still balanced in her arms. There was a faint scent of soap and fresh laundry that clung to her, grounding her in something practical, something real.

"Don't you usually show up just before lunch?" she asked, her tone edged with skepticism.

Lex shrugged. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf. Responsible and punctual—sounds good, doesn't it?"

Rose arched a brow, unimpressed. "Yeah, sure. And Barnie's secretly running a soup kitchen."

His smirk faltered for just a moment, but the glint of amusement in his eyes remained.

"You're still working for him," Lex said, his voice quieter now.

Rose glanced at the packages, then back at him. "It's a job."

"It's more than that," he countered, his tone sharper. "You hate it. You could work anywhere."

Her eyes darkened, but her face gave nothing away. "You think I have options, Lex?"

Lex bit back his response. He knew better than to press too hard, too soon. He wasn't even sure which road he was going to walk and if he should be talking to her.

It was him that led her to the end.

Rose shifted the packages to her other arm, breaking the tension. "I don't work there full-time. Just deliveries, cleaning… whatever pays the bills."

His gaze softened slightly. Still the same Rose, carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. "Still taking care of your mom?"

Her jaw tightened, her fingers gripping the packages a little harder. "Yeah. Someone has to."

Lex nodded, the answer hitting him harder than he expected. She was still fighting the same battles. It was the reason he wanted to help her in the frist place.

Rose started to turn, her body language stiff and closed off. But Lex's voice stopped her.

"Dinner," he said, the word slipping out casually.

She paused mid-step, glancing back at him with a raised eyebrow. "What?"

Lex smiled faintly, his hands sliding into his pockets. "Let me take you to dinner."

Rose blinked, staring at him like he'd just proposed something outrageous. "Why?"

He shrugged, his tone light. "Because I feel like you're about to tell me no."

Her lips twitched, but it wasn't a warm smile. It was a defensive one, sharp around the edges, meant to shield rather than invite.

"You're right," she said after a long pause. "I am."

And with that, she turned and strode toward the exit.

Lex watched her go, the door swinging shut behind her with a soft click. For a moment, he stayed where he was, his eyes fixed on the space she'd just occupied.

His smirk lingered, though it carried something deeper now. He was in a good mood as he walk to see Karen, Barnie's personal assistant.

"You're don't have an appointment," she said, tapping on the keyboard.

Lex smiled faintly. "Figured Barnie could use the company."

She snorted buzz, nodding toward the door. "He's available."

Lex stepped inside with a knock.

Barnie sat at the head of a sprawling desk, scrolling through documents.

"Twice in two weeks," Barnie said without looking up. "You must be desperate for my attention."

Lex let the door close behind him with a soft click. He didn't sit. Instead, he lingered near the window, gazing down at the streets below.

"Maybe I just missed the view," Lex replied, his voice casual but measured.

Barnie finally looked up, his pale blue eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned back in his chair. He always had a way of making silence feel heavier than it needed to be.

"Cut it," Barnie said, folding his hands across his chest. "What do you want?"

Lex turned, meeting his uncle's gaze directly. No hesitation.

"I'm selling the penthouse," Lex said calmly. "I thought you should know. There won't be anymore cooperate parties."

Barnie arched a brow, clearly caught off guard. "Selling it? Why?"

Lex shrugged, moving toward the desk but still refusing to sit.

"It's just sitting there, collecting dust," Lex said smoothly. "I'd rather reinvest somewhere useful. Got to think big with the current property market dipping down."

Barnie watched him carefully, fingers drumming lightly against the armrest. There it was—the calculation. Lex could almost see the gears turning behind his uncle's eyes.

"You're sentimental," Barnie said after a pause. "That place belonged to your father."

Lex smiled faintly. "I guess I'm full of surprises these days."

Barnie's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. More like amusement with an edge.

"You've been busy," Barnie said, sliding a thin folder across the desk. Lex's name, Latham Ventures, was printed across the top in bold lettering.

Lex glanced at the folder but didn't reach for it.

"You're already watching me, I only talk about it this morning. You work fast." Lex said, tilting his head slightly. "I'd be offended if you weren't good."

Barnie chuckled under his breath, but his eyes never left Lex's.

"Entertainment investments? Movies? Startups? Toys, really," Barnie said, gesturing lazily toward the papers. "You're wasting time."

Lex's smirk didn't waver. "Funny. I thought you'd be happy I'm staying away from finance and real estate. Wouldn't want to step on your toes."

Barnie leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening.

"Is that what you think?" Barnie's voice dipped lower, smoother. "That I care what you do with your allowance?"

Lex finally sat, one leg crossing over the other as he relaxed into the chair opposite Barnie's desk.

"I think you care more than you let on," Lex replied coolly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have pulled this report. Watch it closely as I make moves, you may learn a thing or two; dear uncle Burnard the third."

Barnie didn't answer right away. His eyes lingered on Lex, searching for cracks that weren't there.

Finally, he leaned back, a slow grin spreading across his face.

"You're playing the game," Barnie said quietly. "I respect that. But be careful, Lex. You start building too much, and people might start wondering where you're getting your ambition."

Lex's smile didn't break.

"I guess we'll find out," Lex said, standing up.

Barnie watched him rise, but something flickered behind his eyes—something darker, more curious.

As Lex reached the door, Barnie's voice stopped him.

"One more thing," Barnie said.

Lex paused, glancing back.

"Don't forget, " Barnie said with a faint smirk. "Your father was good at playing small games, too. It didn't end well for him."

Lex met his gaze for a long moment.

"Thanks for the advice," Lex replied smoothly. "I'll be sure not to play small for long."

Without waiting for a response, Lex stepped out, the door closing softly behind him.