CH 5

Nikolas looked at Gia, shocked that she didn’t know who he was; she was staring at him as strongly as he was her. “Nikolas Cassadine.” Nik repeated. Gia felt her heart racing. She didn’t know what came over her. All she knew, just by taking one look at Nikolas, was that he would complicate her life even more than it already was. “I’m sorry but I don’t know a Nikolas Cassadine, now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for a meeting.” She said, stepping to pass him and walking away. Nikolas stood in shock when she left; he was so sure it was her. It hurt that she wouldn’t remember him. He suddenly got an idea and ran out to his car. Going to his glove compartment, he pulled out the little bottle of sand and shells that was in it. Bringing it to his lips and kissing it lightly with a smile on his face as he often did, and then clutching it in his hand as he walked back into the building.

“I’m sure that the pictures will be great Gia, you and Lucky seem to work perfectly together.” Laura said as she smiled at Gia. Gia glanced over at Lucky who was leaning against his mother’s desk in her office where they were meeting to discuss business. Lucky smiled at her when she looked at him. “Yeah I think that it will work out. That’s if Lucky can handle me.” Gia smirked. Before Lucky could retort back, the door to Laura’s office was opened. They all turned to see Nikolas walking in, Gia’s heart dropped when she looked at him, wondering how on earth he could be connected to Laura. “Oh Nikolas there you are. I thought maybe you got lost on your way to the shoot, did you get to see it at all?” Laura asked. “No I got kind of side tracked.” Nik answered, his eyes landing onto Gia’s face. “Oh I’m sorry how rude of me. Gia this is Nikolas Cassadine, my son.” Laura introduced. Gia stood in shock, confused by what she just heard, her son? She knew she needed to say something to him to be polite and her heart was pounding as she walked up to him, sticking her hand out to him. “Gia Campbell.” She said. Nikolas quickly dropped his beach bottle in his pocket and took her hand in his. No one seemed to notice when Gia sucked in a breath, or when Nikolas’ eyes blinked rapidly as their hands touched, feeling a spark of electric energy strike them both to the core. But Lucky noticed how long Nikolas remained with Gia’s hand in his, longer than necessary. “It’s nice to meet you Gia.” Nik smiled at her as he reluctantly let go of her hand. Gia nodded her head as she looked up into his deep dark eyes, feeling that same strong connection between them that she had felt so many years ago. “I have an idea.” Laura announced, breaking them from the trance they were in. “Lucky, how do you feel about, if he doesn’t have planes, Nikolas going with you when you take Gia and show her around town tonight?” Laura suggested. Lucky smiled. He had never seen his brother like this and was enjoying the show, he would be happy to watch it all night. “Sure. What do you say bro?” Lucky asked. “Bro?” Gia let slip out before she could stop herself. Both men were looking at her now. “Yes, we’re half brothers. Laura’s our mother.” Lucky said. Gia nodded her head slowly. She was becoming uncomfortable under Nikolas’ intense stare, and his silence was driving her mad. “So, what do you think?” Laura asked Nikolas. “Sounds fun, I’d love to come.” Nik answered. Gia wished to god that he would take his eyes off of her for one second so that she could breathe. “Is that OK with you Gia?” Lucky asked. Gia, finding a little more courage as she focused her attention onto Lucky and off of Nikolas, smirked at Lucky. “Yes, sorry I know that you wanted me all to yourself but you’ll have to take me out some other time, like in your dreams.” Gia answered. Nikolas surprised even himself when he laughed out loud at her reply. Gia couldn’t help but smile over at him. Laura chuckled as she walked around her desk. “Gia, congratulations on your first day here at Deception. I love your attitude and you did a great job, I’m so excited to see what you can do for this company. Enjoy your evening with my sons. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Laura said, hugging her before walking out of her office. Lucky looked at his brother as he looked at Gia and shook his head slowly. He knew this would happen and he couldn’t wait to rub it in to Nikolas that he had told him so. He fallowed his mom out of the office, being a nice brother and leaving Nikolas alone with Gia.

Gia looked at the door as Lucky walked out of Laura’s office, feeling trapped with only Nikolas in the room with her. She could feel his eyes on her but remained looking past him. “You know your brother and you have the same problem. I’m not sure about other women but I’m not really into being stared at like a piece of meat.” Gia said, still not looking at him. Nikolas smirked and slowly moved closer to her, causing Gia to feel like she would pass out as she felt him getting closer to her, so close that she could smell his delicious cologne. “How long are you going to keep up with this game Gia?” Nik asked, tilting his head so that he was looking into her eyes. Gia backed up abruptly as he came so close to her face and blocked him, by putting her hands up in front of her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I said that I don’t know who you are. Now leave me alone.” Gia warned. “Look if you don’t back off I’m going to get mad, and you don’t want to see me get mad. I know Tai Chi.” Gia said smugly when he wasn’t backing off, as she put her hand on her hip. Nik smiled at her, biting his lower lip slightly. “It’s not funny, I do know it.” Gia said, as Nikolas was about to laugh. “OK one, I know Tai Chi too and I THINK I can defend myself against someone well as small as you. And two, cut the crap Gia. I know that you know me, or knew me once anyway. You lived in Greece and you were my best friend. I know it’s you.” Nik whispered the last part. “Look I’m sorry, I really am but I’m not who you think I am. Maybe you should look for your friend though, it sounds like you miss her a lot.” Gia said, her chest feeling tight and constricted. Nikolas shook his head as he sighed, moving closer to her again. He looked into her eyes, Gia felt like she couldn’t breathe, feeling like he could see inside her soul. “I can prove it.” Nik whispered. He reached into his pocket and got out his beach bottle, holding it up for her to look at. He was shocked when he saw tears wet Gia’s eyes. “You still have that?” She breathed. Nikolas smiled and nodded his head. “I bring it with me everywhere Gia.” Nik said. Gia suddenly walked over and grabbed her purse, pulling out the matching bottle. Nikolas smiled as she dropped it into his hand, hearing a tiny clink when the two touched. “So you do remember me?” Nik asked looking up at her. Gia looked down. She slowly brought her eyes up off of the floor and looked at him again. “I remember you Nikolas. I told you I always would.” She said softly. Nik fought back tears as he nodded his head. “Then why did you pretend that you didn’t?” Nik asked, his eyebrows knitting slightly. “I... I didn’t want to hurt you.” She said softly. “Hurt me? How?” Nik asked, confused. Gia opened and closed her mouth a few times, finding it hard to find the right words. “I have a boyfriend Nikolas, who I’m in love with.” Gia said. Nikolas laughed. “What makes you think I want to be with you Gia?” Nik asked. Gia glared at him. “Look I’m just telling you right now that I have a boyfriend so that you don’t get the wrong idea about us.” Gia said defensively. Nik continued to laugh at her. “Us? My god you have a huge ego. Look all I want is for us to get to know each other again. We were best friends once.” Nik said. “A long time ago Nikolas. We’re adults now, with completely different lives.” Gia said. Nikolas shook his head, getting serious again. “What we had was so strong though. I’ve never had a friend like you Gia. I loved you.” Nik said. Gia struggled to swallow the lump that was rising in her throat. “I loved you too.” She said softly. Nikolas suddenly grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes as he felt her hug him back tightly. “I missed you.” Nik said softly as he held onto his old friend. “I missed you too, I thought of you all the time.” She said as she pulled back and looked at him. “Can we just try and be friends? That’s all I’m asking. Just friends again.” Nik said. Gia looked away briefly before smiling at him. “OK.” She said softly as she nodded her head. Nikolas broke into a smile, one so bright that it made Gia’s heart flutter. “OK then I’ll see you tonight. Thank you Gia, for giving our friendship a second chance.” Nik said. He handed Gia back her beach bottle, hers being the one that had a pink shell in it. Gia nodded her head at him as she smiled, watching him leave. She plopped herself down on the chair in Laura’s office and placed her hand on her rapidly beating heart. “Calm down Gia, this is Nikolas. The 7 year old who used to climb trees and play on the beach with you.” Gia told herself as shook her head, clutching her tiny bottle in her hand. She sighed as she stood up, leaving to get ready for tonight.