CH 7

Nikolas was nervous again; he didn’t understand why he got this way when it came to Gia. But for some reason, as he drove to her hotel to pick her up, his hands were sweaty and his heart was beating faster with anticipation. He pulled up to the Port Charles Hotel and got out. When he walked up to the receptionist and asked for her room number again, he once again had no problems getting to her because she was expecting him. He knocked on the door when he got there and waited for her. He waited for a while, and after no answer, he knocked again. It reminded him of when they were kids, he would always have to wait for her to come to the door because she was getting ready. He was starting to become annoyed and just when he started pounding, the door swung open. They met each other with harsh looks. “God do you have to pound on the door like that?” Gia said angrily. Nikolas’ angry response however, was lost as his eyes landed on Gia. She wore a white lace top, and a pair of hip hugger jeans, revealing her sexy stomach. Her braids were gathered together with little white bands and she wore a subtle amount of makeup. “You uh you look incredible.” Nik threw his hands up. Gia blushed as she looked down. “Thank you.” She said softly. She looked up again and noticed that he too looked great. He wore a pair of army green cargo pants and a black sweater. His newly cut hair completed his handsome look. “Are you ready to go prince?” Gia asked, deciding that it wouldn’t be appropriate to complement him. “After you Sparky.” He said as he ushered her out of the door.

“So what do you think?” Nik asked as he stood in the middle of the luxurious penthouse suit. The previous owners had painted it beautifully. Gia smiled as she let out an excited sigh. “It’s amazing.” She said as she nodded her head. Nikolas watched her; the smile on her face was an amazing sight. “There you are.” He said. Gia looked up at him questioningly. “This is the first time I’ve seen you smile. That’s the Gia I remember. Not some stuck up model.” Nik said. Gia’s mouth dropped open. “I am not stuck up!” She protested. “Uh huh.” Nik mumbled sarcastically. Gia glared at him. “So are you going to take the place?” Nik asked. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. I love the view, you can see all the way down to the lake. You know that there’s an island way out there with a huge castle? I saw it when I was in the limo when I came here the other day. It’s amazing.” Gia said as she looked out the window again. Nikolas looked down. “Yeah well it’s not as amazing if you’re forced to live there and all it is to you is bad memories.” He said. Gia turned around to face him. “What do you mean?” She asked. “That’s Wyneremere, my family owns it. My uncle Stefan lives there.” Nik said. “Stefan? Your uncle lives here in Port Charles? Oh wow I haven’t seen him in years. I would love to visit him.” Gia said. Nikolas frowned. “I’m not sure if you’d want to see him, he’s changed.” Nik said. “What are you talking about? He loved me. He used to show me all of his books and he taught me how to ride a horse. He was a big part of my childhood Nikolas, of course I want to see him.” Gia said. Nikolas sighed. “Fine, I won’t stop you. I’m just telling you that he might not be the man you remember when you were younger.” He said. Gia nodded her head softly. “Do you want to get something to eat?” Nik suddenly asked. Gia shrugged, she wasn’t scheduled to arrive at Deception until later that evening. “Sure.” She said. Nikolas smiled and Gia walked up to him. Nikolas wanted to grab her hand, but he stopped himself and instead just placed his hand on her back and gently guided her out of the room. Gia turned and looked at him curiously and he silently surrendered, and he dropped his hand from her back. He found this odd, that she wouldn’t even let him touch her, but he shook his head and continued to walk out of the building.

“I’ll have your soup of the day, your chicken sandwich, an iced tea oh and your garlic bread.” Nik said up at the waitress at the Grill. The waitress looked over at Gia. “And you?” She asked. “I’ll just have some water.” She said. “OK.” The waitress said and then walked away. “You’re not eating?” Nik asked. “Nah I’m trying to lose weight.” Gia answered. Nikolas huffed. “What are you talking about? You don’t need to lose weight.” Nik said. Gia shook her head. “No I do, I gained seven pounds last month.” She said dramatically. “Gia that’s good, you should gain seven more. You’re way too thin as it is.” He said. “Nikolas I don’t need a lecture from you, thank you very much. I’m a big girl, I can take care of my self.” Gia said. “Yeah well I don’t care if you’re a big girl or not, you still need to take care of yourself. What does your boyfriend say about it?” Nik asked. “He thinks I need to lose weight too. I do Nikolas, I’m a model I can’t get fat.” Gia said. Nikolas shook his head angrily. “You don’t need to lose weight.” He insisted. “Just drop it Nikolas.” Gia said softly. Nik threw his hands up. “Fine.” He surrendered. A short while later, after a long silence where Nikolas began to eat his food and Gia drank her water, Gia looked up at Nikolas. Nikolas glanced up and caught her staring. He smiled softly. “What?” He asked. Gia was nervous as she thought about how to put what she wanted to ask him. “Did really think about me after I left?” She asked. Nikolas put his fork down and stared into her eyes. “I’ve never stopped thinking about you Gia. I’ve wondered for so long, what happened to you. I even thought about looking for you, but I figured you had forgotten about me.” He said. Gia smiled at him. “I can’t believe you still thought about me.” She said. Nikolas reached over and held her hand. “How could I forget you Gia? You changed my life.” He said. If he were completely honest he would tell her that when he grew up, he always knew that he loved her. He had never met anyone in his life who had captured his heart the way Gia had. She gave him his first kiss. It was silly but even though they were just kids at the time it happened, Nikolas had never once experienced a kiss as amazing as that one. “Nikolas the truth is.” Gia started to say, but she was distracted as she felt the presence of someone standing to her side. The man cleared his throat. “Who’s your friend Nikolas?” He asked. Nik looked up at his uncle. “Uncle.” He motioned to Gia with his eyes. Stefan looked over at Gia. He was confused at Nikolas’ behavior, and he looked at the woman more closely. “Unki Stefan.” Gia said with a smiled. Stefan let out a surprised laugh and Gia quickly stood up to give him a hug. Stefan welcomed the embrace and hugged her back tightly. He pulled back to look at her. “It’s been ages princess, oh how much you’ve grown. You’re beautiful.” He said, touching her cheek briefly. Nikolas watched the scene and grew envy. That was the reunion he had wanted and dreamt about for years. “Thank you Stef, and you look just as handsome as I remember.” Gia replied. Nikolas laughed. Gia was the only one who could get away with calling his uncle nicknames like that. “Will you sit down and join us?” Gia asked. “Oh I’m sorry princess, but I can’t stay. Will you excuse us? I need to talk to Nikolas privately for a moment.” He said. Gia frowned. She loved hearing him call her princess. Remembering a time when she was young and heard Nikolas be called the prince. She quickly grew envy and asked how come she couldn’t be called princess, and Stefan had called her that ever since. “Well maybe we can catch up some other time?” She said hopefully. Stefan smiled at her. “I would like that very much. It was so good to see you Gia.” He said. “You too.” Gia smiled as Nikolas got up. “I’ll be right back.” Nik said down at her. Gia nodded her head and watched him walk away.

“Uncle that was kind of rude. Gia wanted to see you. It’s been years. You could have at least stayed for a few minutes.” Nik said. “I’m sorry but I can’t stay Nikolas. I need to leave town on business. Nikolas what did I just walk in on?” Stefan changed the subject. Nikolas frowned as he glanced over at Gia, seeing her beautiful braids from behind. “Uncle it’s none of your business.” He answered as he turned back around. “I’m afraid you’re wrong. It is my business Nikolas. I am your guardian and I need to keep you on the right path. Nikolas you know that I love Gia like my own daughter but what I just saw can not happen. Gia lacks the proper breading for a prince like you.” Stefan said. “Uncle.” Nikolas hissed, giving him a sharp look. “It’s the truth Nikolas. Gia can never fit in to your world. I’m sorry but you can not become romantically involved with her.” Stefan said. Nikolas looked over at Gia again, this time she turned and looked at him too, with a soft smile on her face. Nikolas turned back to face Stefan with his heart fluttering with the excitement of Gia’s smile. “If I want to be with her, you can’t stop me uncle. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go have lunch with my best friend.” Nik said. He heard his uncle sigh and walk away.

Nikolas walked back over to his table and sat down across from Gia. “What’s wrong?” He asked at the look on her face. “Well I got the feeling that he doesn’t like me anymore. I was so excited.” Gia said softly. Nikolas was a little shocked at her emotions. She didn’t show them much in the short time he had been around her. “Gia he’s just changed, I told you that. He and my grandmother have been going at it ever since I can remember, and since she fallowed us here, it’s been the same way, just on a greater level. What I’m trying to say is that it’s not you.” Nik smiled at her, picking up her hand and caressing it. Gia pulled back and looked at him in shock. “Your grandmother lives here?” She breathed. “Yeah.” Nik said softly. “Nikolas that woman is aloud to roam the streets of Port Charles? She’s crazy.” Gia said. “I know, but unfortunately we have no proof of the evil things that Helena has done.” Nik said. Gia shivered at her name. She remembered the day when she was a child and had literally bumped into her. Helena had threatened to kill her if she got in her way again. As an adult, that threat took on a whole new meaning. “Hey, don’t worry about Helena OK? Just stay out of her way and she shouldn’t be a problem.” Nik said. Gia nodded her head.