CH 24

He crept into her bedroom like he did every night her mother was gone. And like always, that sick feeling entered her stomach as she heard his footsteps approach her bed. Gia decided to be bold this time, and not pretend to be asleep. She sat up in her bed. “Stop it! I’m going to tell.” Gia said as he moved to touch her. A crooked grin appeared on Jeff’s face as he shook his head. “And tell her what Gia? That I come in here and touch you? She’ll never believe you.” Jeff hissed. Tears fell from Gia’s eyes. “Yes she will. She loves me.” Gia cried. “She doesn’t love you Gia, you’re a liar. She wouldn’t believe a word out of your mouth.” Jeff said as he reached down to touch her. “No! She would believe me, she would.” Gia cried as she felt his touch. “You’re such a liar Gia! You’re a liar!!” He yelled as he continued with his abuse. Gia nodded her head softly. “I am a liar! I’m a liar.” She cried. “Gia, Gia wake up!” Jeff yelled.

Gia sat up in bed and screamed into the air. “Gia it’s OK it’s me.” Seth said as he wrapped his arms around her. “Oh god it was so real. I can still feel him.” Gia cried as she clung to Seth. “Hey, hey it’s over now. It was just a dream. You’re here and you’re safe with me, I love you.” Seth said kissing her cheek and rocking her as she cried into his chest. “I love you too.” She whispered as Seth wiped her tears from her face. “I have an idea.” Seth said pulling back to look down at her. “What?” She asked, smiling slightly. “I’m going to make muffins for you. I’ll bring them up and we can eat them in bed.” Seth said. Gia bit her bottom lip as she nodded her head happily. “That sounds great.” She sniffled as she wiped her tears. “What about work?” Gia said as he got up. “Work can wait, I want to spend the morning with you.” Seth said. Gia smiled and nodded her head. She laid her head back when the door closed behind him, feeling a little better.

Nikolas entered the kitchen to find Seth in a barrowed apron, along with a pair of oven pits on his hands. The apron looked ridiculous over just his boxers, his whole backside practically showing. “What’s going on?” He asked, holding back the urge to laugh at his friend. “I’m just making muffins.” Seth said looking up at him. Nik nodded his head and walked over to get a cup of coffee from the machine, which Seth had made a pot of. “So I take it you’re mad at Gia.” Nik heard Seth’s muffled voice ask as he placed a muffin pan in the oven. Nik’s heart began to pound again as the memories of last night played over in his head. “I can’t believe her. She could have really been hurt and she doesn’t even care. I told her to let me handle it.” Nik said angrily. Seth shook his head as he sat across from Nik. “It’s not like Gia to take orders from people. She does what she wants. I know she feels awful about it though, she cried herself to sleep.” Seth said. Seth’s words tugged at Nik’s heart. “She had another dream too, she kept saying that she was a liar over and over again. I finally had to wake her up because I knew where she was heading, I think I was too late though.” Seth said. Nik moaned sadly at this news. “I need to talk to her.” He said standing up.

“Are they done already?” Gia asked sitting up when she heard the door open. The smile that was on her face quickly faded as her eyes landed on Nikolas. This causing a pain to arouse in Nik’s heart. “Gia.” He said moving towards her in a fast pace. Gia moved back on the bed, not sure of what he would do to her. “Whoa Gia please, I’m not going to hurt you. I didn’t mean for you to be so scared of me.” Nik said sadly as he sat on the bed. “You were so mad last night, I thought you were going to kill me.” Gia said. “Gia, I was scared and you made me mad.” Nikolas said. Gia pushed the blankets off of her and got off the bed. “You had reason to be mad, I’m sorry I’m a liar. I’m going to have a muffin now.” Gia said walking towards the door. Nikolas quickly caught up to her and grabbed her arm. Gia quickly jerked it away. “I don’t need any more bruises thank you.” Gia spat. Nikolas was shocked. “Gia I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Nikolas said. He moved closer to her, carefully reaching out to touch her cheek, he wasn’t sure what was going on with her. “What’s wrong Gia?” He asked. “He touched me and it’s all my fault. He touched me because I’m a liar. I’m a liar Nikolas! Stay away from me!” Gia cried. This time when she tried to escape, Nikolas stopped her by wrapped his arms around her. “No no no shh. Gia you were dreaming.” Nikolas whispered as he held her struggling body. “No he was right though, I’m a liar.” Gia said sadly as she looked down and leaned her head against his chest slightly. “Gia, please listen to me.” Nik said lifting her chin so that her eyes were now parallel to his. “I’m not use to having you in my life, someone who loves me so much that they would stand up to my grandmother for me. It scared me that you would risk your life just to make sure I was safe. I was so afraid when I saw you there, you just don’t know what that woman is capable of.” Nikolas said. Gia sighed. “I can take care of myself Nikolas, I’m not weak.” Gia said defensively. Nikolas closed his eyes and sighed. She wasn’t getting this. “She kills people Gia! She’s cruel and evil and she will kill you if she wants to.” Nik raised his voice. Gia looked away, remembering the chill that Helena had caused to run up her spine the day before. She knew that what Nikolas was saying was true. The woman is dangerous. “I’m sorry, I’ll stay away from her, I promise. And I’m so sorry that I lied.” Gia said. Nikolas sighed with relief. “Oh thank god, I just want to keep you safe Gia. And you didn’t lie, you just didn’t keep your promise and I forgive you. I’m sorry I yelled at you.” Nikolas said pulling her towards him, picking up her hand and inspecting her wrist, seeing the obvious bruising in the shape of fingerprints. His chin trembled, his chest feeling heavy. “I’m so sorry I hurt you.” Nikolas whispered, tears misting his eyes as he kissed her wrist lightly. Gia saw how sincere and hurt he was that he had hurt her. “It’s ok Nikolas, I know you didn’t mean to.” She said as she gently combed her fingers through his hair. Nikolas leaned in and kissed her cheek, and then moving over to her lips and stopping there. Their mouths instantly opened to each other and their tongues danced in a powerful battle until they were both left breathless. “Hmm what is that..” Gia moaned. Her eyes shot open. “Muffins!” She announced, pushing past him and running out the door. Leaving Nikolas alone to ponder what kind of man he was to be ditched for a lousy muffin. Oh who was he kidding, they were far from lousy. Nikolas too took off running.

“Where are they?” Gia asked searching the kitchen, bending down to gaze into the oven. “Where are what?” Seth asked glancing at her as he tipped batter into one of the molds. Gia whipped her head around and looked at him, he wasn’t joking. “The muffins, I smelled them and now you’re putting batter in a pan?” Gia said. “Yeah.” Seth said, a sly grin forming at his lips. “Did you eat all of them?” Gia exclaimed. “Shut up, they’re good.” Seth mumbled. Gia was about to lay into him when the doorbell rang. “You better make more.” Gia stated before walking to the door. Gia peaked through the peephole to see who it was, a smile spread across her face as she saw who their visitor was. Gia swung the door open and instantly jumped into his arms. He picked her up and swung her around gleefully. “Paul, you came just in time for breakfast. That is if Seth hasn’t eaten everything already.” Gia said. Paul laughed. “Where is the little muffin man? I know our date isn’t until tonight but I got the day off of work so I thought I’d come over.” Paul said smiling. “Well Seth has to work later but this way you and I can spend the whole day together. Come on, he’s in the kitchen. When Gia and Paul walked into the kitchen, they caught Seth red handed with his batter-dipped finger in his mouth. “Well it’s a good thing you have a good metabolism or I would have to call you marshmallow man.” Paul teased as he walked up and gave a blushing Seth a hug. “Did I miss muffins? Oh hi Paul.” Nik said as he walked in, after ending a phone conversation he had to take in the office. “We have to wait a while. Seth got a little impatient.” Gia explained, walking up to him and kissing him lightly on the lips. Nikolas nodded his head and kissed her back. When the muffins were done, the four friends ate together. An odd sight, Nikolas looking fresh and fully dressed, Paul in jeans and a muscle shirt, and Seth and Gia half naked, Seth in his cooking gear as they all sat around the table eating.