CH 13

 

Gia sat in Laura Spencer’s office one morning, waiting for her to discus a shoot that was on location that they had coming up the next day. This was to be the first outdoor shoot since Gia started working for Deception. The pictures that Lucky had taken of her a week ago turned out to be a huge sensation. There was a glossy black and white Deception ad in this month's Bell Magazine with Gia’s revealing photo inside that was becoming a huge sensation. Her popularity was growing in the small town and it was beginning to become difficult for her to go anywhere without someone asking her for an autograph every time. It was the kind of thing that she was used to in New York but here had been different, and she rather enjoyed her break from fame. Her sudden popularity was going to take some getting used to.

 

Gia looked up when she heard the door to Laura’s office open, expecting to see Laura coming in, but her gaze fell upon Nikolas as he walked in. “Oh.” He said when he saw her. Gia had somehow been able to avoid him all week, with her busy schedule and her new TV that was doing its job as a getaway; she didn’t really have the time to think about him. But as he stood in Laura’s door, her heart pounded at the sight of him. She cleared her throat. “Uh Laura’s not here.” She hoarsely. “I can see that.” Nik said sarcastically with an exaggerated grin plastered on his face. Gia sighed as she rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. “She asked me to come in, do you know where she is?” Nik asked. “No.” Gia said shortly. It hadn’t been as easy for Nikolas to not think about Gia as it had been for her. He was still very busy helping his uncle with Cassadine Industries but he had been distracted all the time. “Well I guess you’re going to be stuck in the room with me for a few minutes because I’m going to have to wait for her.” Nik stepped in farther. “Why would I care if you waited in here?” Gia asked. “Oh like you haven’t been avoiding me.” Nik said as sat on the edge of his mother’s desk. “That’s what you said to do.” Gia said softly. Nikolas just looked at her. “What?” Gia snapped at his staring. “Nothing.” Nik shook his head softly.

 

“Nikolas.” Laura smiled as she stepped in. “Hi mom.” Nik stood up to give her a hug. As Gia watched the scene in front of her, she couldn’t help but feel touched. She remembered how much Nikolas longed to have a mother when they were kids. She still wondered what the story was behind Nikolas finding Laura and Lucky, but she didn’t think that she could ask Nikolas now. “Beth in the office said that you called and asked me to meet you so I came right away.” Nik said. Laura smiled at him. “It’s nothing serious sweetie don’t worry. I wanted to invite you to come up to the mountains with us tomorrow. We have several cabins reserved for the whole crew for the shoot and I thought that we could make a little family vacation out of it. I was thinking that I could bring Lulu up with us and we could all spend some family time together?” Laura said. Gia couldn’t help but eavesdrop, after all they were in the same room as her, it wasn’t like she could block them out. Her ears perked at the name Lulu, was that Nik’s girlfriend or something? Had he lied when he said he didn’t have one? “I don’t know Laura I have a lot of work to do.” Nik said. “Oh well Lulu is dying to spend some time with her big brother.” Laura said. Gia’s eyebrows knitted at this, he has a little sister too? What else did she not know about his life after she knew him? “I guess I can arrange it so that I can go.” Nik said rubbing the back of his head unconsciously. “Great, I need someone to drive Gia anyway and I thought that since her building is right on your way to the highway from your work that you could drive her up there.” Laura said. Nikolas looked over at Gia. “I don’t know mom.” He mumbled, still looking at Gia. “Oh, well is it a problem for you Gia? Are you not comfortable riding with him?” Laura asked. Nikolas had never felt so awkward in all his life. Gia licked her lips as she looked from Nik to Laura and then back again. “That’s fine.” She said softly. “Nikolas is it a problem for you?” Laura asked. “No I can pick her up.” He said nodding his head. After locking eyes with Gia for a while Nikolas smiled at his mother. “I have to get some work done if I’m going to go so I’ll see you tomorrow. Gia what time should I pick you up?” Nik asked. “I should be ready by 5:00.” Gia said. It was the first time that she had actually spoken civilly to him in a long time. “See you tomorrow then.” He smiled slight at Gia before he left. Gia sat back in her chair slightly, feeling nauseous. The whole arrangement happened so quickly that she hadn’t had the time to really comprehend that she was going to be in a car alone with Nikolas until now. “Are you OK?” Laura asked as she walked to the chair of her desk. Gia just nodded.

 

“So do you have an idea of what I want?” Laura asked during their meeting. “Kind of a winter wonderland theme… hence the mountains?” Gia raised one eyebrow. “Exactly.” Laura nodded. Gia smiled. “Sounds beautiful.” She said. “Hello ladies.” Lucky said as he walked in. Laura laughed. “Hi honey.” She said getting up and giving him a hug. “I brought over the pictures from yesterdays shoot.” Lucky handed the pictures to his mother. Laura looked at them and slowly shook her head. “Gia how do you keep such a slim figure? I need some tips from you.” Laura chuckled. “Its just in my genes I guess.” Gia shrugged, avoiding eye contact with Lucky. “Well whatever it is, keep doing it because you look beautiful.” Laura said. Gia nodded her head and forced a smile on her face. “Well I have a lot of packing to do before we leave so I better get going.” Gia stood up. She walked over and gave Laura a kiss on the cheek. Giving Lucky one as well to be polite but leaving quickly before he could say anything to her. “Now tell me why we’re doing this again? I feel guilty about lying to him about Lulu, you know how he feels about family.” Laura said, turning to Lucky when Gia left. “Because Nikolas and Gia need to get over this problem they have and spending a couple of hours on the way to the mountains will be a perfect opportunity. I just want them to act civilly to each other… that is if they don’t kill each other first.” Lucky said. “Yes but why Nikolas and Gia? If you’re trying to set them up, I believe Gia has a boyfriend.” Laura said. “It’s hard to explain. All I can say is that I think they’re good for each other. Not necessarily as a couple but as friends.” Lucky said. Laura nodded her head. “Well I just want Nikolas to be happy, so if you think that Gia is good for him then I’m in. I’ll see you tomorrow honey.” Laura said, touching his arm before she left. Lucky grinned as he stood in his mother’s office. He looked down at the picture in his hands. Gia looked happy to the average eye but he could see that she was dying on the inside when he looked into her eyes. He was determined to help his new friend, and his brother at the same time.
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