Chapter Text
Clad in a silk nightgown the color of the Romanee-Conti she’d savored the night before, Lena Luthor peered out the bedroom window of her penthouse apartment overlooking National City. The streets below bustled with people darting to their mundane little jobs and leading their ordinary little lives; she snorted, feeling no envy for them.
In the king-sized bed behind her, her latest fling snored softly. She was an aspiring actress that Lena had met at a charity gala hosted by her mother and, after a few drinks and a couple of dances, Lena had invited her back to her apartment. Although blonde, gorgeous, and eager to please, the woman lacked a certain je ne sais quoi—leaving Lena feeling distinctly underwhelmed, unfulfilled, and frankly bored.
With a sigh, Lena turned from the window and grabbed her phone. It was earlier than she'd planned to wake, but there was nothing to be done about it now that she was up. She contemplated surprising her personal trainer, James, by completing her cardio ahead of their session that afternoon. Plus, a workout would do her good and clear her mind.
"G’morning," a drowsy yet cheerful voice emerged from the bed.
But first…
Lena turned, managing a smile as she met the blonde's sleepy gaze. The sight of pale skin under the covers briefly distracted her from the awkward fact that she couldn't remember her name.
"Good morning," Lena murmured. "I trust you slept well?”
“Very well,” the blonde cooed.
Lena nodded. “I’m sorry to say, but I have a busy day ahead of me. You don’t mind heading out, do you?”
The blonde blinked, her smile lingering as if she were anticipating an invitation rather than a dismissal. "Well, no, I mean, I just—"
"Wonderful. I’ll arrange your ride. It's the least I can do."
Before the woman could protest further, Lena grabbed a robe and padded into the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee. She took a seat on one of the stools lining the marble counter and closed her eyes, allowing the whir and hiss of the espresso machine to lull her into a moment of calm while the smokey aroma of the fresh brew tickled her nostrils.
Lena's eyes snapped open at the sound of heels clicking toward the kitchen. Dressed in last night's red dress and holding her clutch, the blonde rounded the corner with a tight smile.
"I'll be on my way then. Last night was fun. Maybe we can do it again sometime?"
"Absolutely. Take care, uh..." Lena held her breath as the blonde's lips pursed together.
"Eve.”
"Eve," Lena repeated, nodding. "Right."
Lena shook her head as the door closed, releasing a groan. Why was the morning after always so awkward?
"It's nearly eight," she noted, glancing at her watch. "Should make it to spin class by 8:30."
Her phone chimed, and Lena rolled her eyes; without looking, she knew who it was.
"Lillian Luthor,” she greeted with a weary sigh. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
"Oh, Lena. I wasn't expecting you to be up so early. I was planning to leave a message."
"Sorry to disappoint. Would you like me to hang up so you can call back?"
Lena could practically hear her mother rolling her eyes.
"Nonsense. I'm just surprised, that's all."
"How can I help you, Mother?"
"Your father and I are heading to brunch, and we’d like you to join us. We need to talk—”
"Can I take a raincheck?" Lena cut in sharply. "I'm off to spin class."
"I didn't realize you'd resumed your workouts," Lillian responded, a hint of approval in her voice.
"Yup." Lena sighed, rolling her eyes. "Look, I've got to go, but I'll call you later, okay?"
Lena ended the call before her mother could object. She tossed her phone on the counter and finished her coffee, rinsed her mug, and threw on her beloved Lululemon athleisure wear.
* * * * *
Lena tapped her foot against the sidewalk as she awaited her town car. She checked her phone for the fourth time since leaving her apartment, then her watch, huffing with frustration.
"Of course, he’s late," she grumbled. "What is taking so long?”
Before she could dial her driver to chew him out, another call came through from Lillian.
"Mother, I said I'd call you later. I'm waiting for my—"
"Oh, I'm aware. You're waiting for your driver, who is currently en route to the airport."
Lena blinked. "Why is he driving to the airport? He’s supposed to be picking me up.”
"I told him not to," Lillian said calmly.
Lena frowned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I'm sorry, but it's too early to try and comprehend whatever kind of game you're playing right now."
"This isn't a game, Lena. This is the only way I can get you to listen to me, I’m afraid."
"Well, congratulations, you have my attention.” Lena sighed. “What do you want?”
"Your father and I are worried about you, darling. You're thirty—"
"Twenty-nine,” Lena corrected sharply.
"—and living like you're still in your twenties—"
"Because I am."
"—without any serious thought about your future, or what you really want from life."
"You mean what you and Dad want for me,” Lena remarked, quirking a brow.
"That's not it—"
“Isn’t it? You want me to run Luther Corp so you two can finally retire—move to Florida and spend the rest of your lives on a golf course."
"Your father and I have worked our entire lives for the company, Lena, and we'd like to relax a little and enjoy our retirement. Is that so wrong?"
"The least you can do is go somewhere tasteful," Lena muttered.
"This isn't about us, okay? It's about you. You've been running wild for so long, and we're concerned. I mean, what will happen when you turn forty? Will you finally settle down with someone? Do you even plan to start a family? Or will you just…carry on like this—this—this hedonistic—"
"Mother, I don't want to have this discussion right now. I'm going to be late for my class, and—"
"You don't work, and you squander our money like it’s nothing," Lillian went on. "Do you expect us to support this forever?"
"Given you’re billionaires, yes, I do," Lena retorted coolly. "I'm hanging up now. Can you please send the car back?"
"No, Lena, I will not. We’ve been patient, but you need to get your shit together. This lifestyle of yours is unsustainable—and frankly, I'm fed up. This isn't how a Luthor should behave."
"Oh, that's rich," Lena scoffed, her grip tightening on her phone. "Should I act more like Lex then?"
"At least Lex had ambition. He had goals—"
Lena huffed a breathy laugh. "You're joking, right? He was a delusional psychopath."
"Your brother was misunderstood, he was—"
"Insane, Mother. No need to beat around the bush. He was fucking insane, and so is the notion that I should take over Luther Corp; truly, if that’s your plan, then you’re insane too.”
"If I’m so insane, then perhaps you won't be shocked to hear that we’ve decided to cut you off—effective immediately."
"Wait, what?" Lena choked out, her blood suddenly running cold. “What did you just say?”
"I will no longer fund your reckless behavior—"
"Oh, that's real mature, Mother.”
"—or your insufferable attitude. You're a grown woman, Lena, and it's time to grow up."
Lena clenched her jaw. "So, that's it then? I'm cut off. Just like that."
"Just like that. Consider it tough love, dear."
“Well, for how long? How is that even…” Lena's words trailed off as she tried to process the situation. “You can't do this."
"Can't I? Who's going to stop me, darling?"
“I’m your daughter!”
"I am your mother," Lillian replied, her voice hardening. "And I'm doing this for your own good. If you don't want to run the company, fine. But I won't stand by while you throw away your life like this. I won't."
Lena’s mouth fell open, her mind racing. "I—I—you can’t—but, you're serious?"
"As a heart attack," Lillian said with a curt sigh. "I suggest you download Uber. If you hurry, you should still make your exercise class.”
"I'm a Luthor," Lena seethed. "I don't Uber."
“Goodbye, Lena.”
With a click, the line went dead, and Lena stood rooted to the sidewalk, her body trembling with rage.
"What the actual fuck?”
* * * * *
Lena wrinkled her nose as a seafoam green Prius rolled up. The passenger side window rolled down, revealing a guy in a baseball cap who couldn't have been any older than twenty.
Her lips curled into a sneer as he all but stared at her like some kind of alien. "Hello?" she prompted, arching a brow.
"Hi, sorry. Hi,” he stammered, glancing from his phone mounted to the windshield to her. “You aren’t...Lena, are you?”
"Unfortunately, yes." Lena sighed.
"Oh, cool! I’m Jack, your Uber driver. Heading to..." he paused, his brow furrowing as he looked at his phone again. "Velocity Spin Studio, yeah?"
Lena sighed, nodding.
"Awesome," Jack chirped, unlocking the doors. "Hop in."
A morning talk show murmured from the radio as Jack weaved into traffic.
"Feel free to grab some water." Jack gestured to the backseat.
Lena eyed a plastic bottle, but ignored the offer. "So, are all Ubers this, um..."
"Clean?" Jack boasted slightly. "Have to keep the ratings up.”
"I was going to say basic," Lena admitted, eliciting a chuckle from Jack.
"Oh, ouch."
"I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that…it's just not really my style, is all."
"Figured as much." Jack snickered, eyeing her through the rearview mirror. "Can't say I've ever picked someone up wearing...what kind of sneakers are those? Louboutins?"
"Gucci, actually," Lena corrected.
"Ah, right. My bad.”
Lena looked out the window, hoping Jack would take the hint that she wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.
"You don't strike me as the type that frequents Uber."
"That's because I don't," Lena huffed.
"So, what's the deal?" Jack asked, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Car issues?"
“More like mother issues,” Lena muttered.
"Sorry, didn't catch that. What was that?"
"My mother is a raging bitch," Lena repeated, loud and clear.
“Oh.” Jack laughed. “Yeah, I hear ya. Moms can suck for sure."
Lena snorted. "You have no idea."
"When I dropped out of med school, you should've seen my mom."
"You went to medical school?"
"Sure did."
"And now you drive people around for a living…” Lena commented, quirking a brow.
Jack’s smile was wry. "You say it like it's a bad thing.”
Lena bit her cheek, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
“Not exactly the parental dream, but hey, I’m happy. Plus, I get to meet some pretty interesting folks. I mean, look at me now,” he lilted, bouncing his brows.
"Smooth." Lena forced a smile.
She opened her bank app and frowned at her balance.
Fucking hell. She moves fast.
Lena leaned forward, peering out at the rows of houses they passed.
"Hey, not to be a backseat driver, but the studio's downtown, no?"
"It is," Jack confirmed. "We've just got a quick stop."
Lena’s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, a quick stop?"
"We just have to pick up one more passenger," Jack explained, tapping his phone. "It'll only be a sec."
Lena sighed and sat back, checking the time.
"Don't worry, Velocity's only a few miles away."
A few minutes later, the Prius slowed and pulled into the driveway of a quaint little house. As the car came to a halt, a blonde emerged from the house with a smile and wave at Jack. Behind her thick-framed glasses, the most brilliant blue eyes Lena had ever seen twinkled brightly. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, and she was dressed in jeans, a white button-up, and a light gray cardigan. A leather satchel hung from her shoulder while in her hands, she juggled a cup of coffee and her keys.
The blonde fumbled with her keys to lock the door behind her and, as Lena watched amused, dropped them. Bending to retrieve them, the blonde's glasses slid off her nose. She lunged to catch them and nearly spilled her coffee.
Lena couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Adjusting her glasses with a sheepish smile, the woman climbed into the backseat.
"Good morning, Jack! Thanks for the lift.” Lena felt a warmth spread across her cheeks as the blonde flashed a smile at her. "And good morning to you, too."
Lena offered a weak smile, her throat suddenly dry. "Hi."
"I'm not usually that clumsy, I swear."
Lena laughed, her heart fluttering as the blonde’s smile widened. "It's okay, it was quite entertaining.”
"Glad I could amuse you,” the woman responded with a laugh. "I'm Kara, by the way."
"I’m Lena.” Lena smiled, feeling herself blush harder as she grasped Kara's offered hand with a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you.”
"Likewise." Kara settled in with a click of her seatbelt. "So, where ya headed, Lena?"