Chapter 8

When Nik turned around, his eyes landed on Gia’s sleeping face. As dim as the lights in the room were, Nik could see the bandages on Gia’s hands. Her beautiful face was slightly flawed with tinny little cuts everywhere but it did not affect her beauty. Nik’s heart soared when Gia’s eyes fluttered open, but then sunk at what she did next.

Gia woke from sleeping when she heard the door open and knew it was him, after consideration, she quickly opened her eyes to see that she was right. At first she thought she could fool him by quickly closing them again but he saw her. “Gia?” Nik said softly. Gia turned over, facing the wall. “Go away Nikolas.” Gia said with a quivering voice. It was hurting her arm to lie on it but she just couldn’t look at him.

Nik slowly moved his way over to Gia’s bed, stopping a few feet away, he was afraid he’d upset her if came any closer. Tears streaming down his face. It broke his heart to have Gia not want him there. He could see that it was hurting her to lie on her arm like she was. “Gia please don’t hurt yourself.” Nik said with concern. “What do you care?” Gia said softly. “Oh god Gia how can you say that?” Nik asked. “Of coarse I care, you have to believe that.” Nik said, threw his tears.

Gia rolled over and looked at him, her heart ached when she saw the hurt in his eyes. “No Gia, he hurt you, be mad at him.” she thought.

“I can’t Nikolas, I want to but I can’t.” Gia said softly.  Nik shook his head sadly. “I needed you Nikolas, I was hurt and I needed you and you weren’t there!” Gia said tears, rapidly falling again. “I know baby, I’m so sorry.” Nik sobbed. He quickly walked up to her bed, crouching down so that he was eye level with her. “Gia, I love you so much and I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you.” Nik said, looking into her eyes begging for forgiveness. “Nikolas, this is going to take some time, you can’t keep pushing me away like you have been.” “Things are going to have to change if you want me to be a part of your life.” Gia said, strongly. “I know Gia and I promise that I will make more time for you.” “I love you and all I want is to be with you, I want to make up for the time we lost.” Nik said. “I know that we can’t but I want to try” Nik said. “Gia will you please give me another change?” Nik begged. “I love you too Nikolas, I’m willing to try.” Gia said, leaning in to kiss him. “Thank you Gia, I love you so much.” Nik said. He gently cupped her face in his hands and passionately kissed her. Tears of relief streaming down his face.

“Gia, what happened?” Nik was finally able to ask when he pulled away, but was interrupted by Lucky, along with a nurse with a key in her hand. “See, he just barged in here and locked the door!” Lucky was obviously upset. “Gia are you alright?” Lucky asked walking up to her bed. “Of course I’m alright Lucky.” Gia said, scrunching up her face.  She could tell that Lucky was furious at Nik.

Looking at Nikolas, “Honey do you think you could five us a few minutes alone?” Nikolas was mad but decided to oblige for Gia’s sake. “Sure Sparky, I’ll be right outside.” Nik said and then left the room.

“Kristina?” Nik said, when he found her sitting in the waiting room. He sat down next to her. He could tell that she was mad at him just by looking at her. “Look Nik, I’m really busy right now, this will have to wait.” Kristina said in a mocking voice as she started to stand and leave. “Kristina, please wait.” Nik said, gently grabbing her arm and bringing her back down to her chair. “I want to apologize for earlier, I was really mean to you and I’m sorry.” Nik said. “Nikolas, when you spoke to me like that, it was like I didn’t even know you.” “You were so short and cold, it scared the hell out of me.” Kristina said. “I know, I just don’t know how I get like that sometimes.” “It’s like I change into a totally different person.” “It’s like I turn into...” Nik stopped and looked away. “Into who?” Kristina asked, concerned. “Just somebody else.” Nik said. “Look, I just tolled Gia that things are going to change and I won’t turn into that person again.” Nik said. He sounded so sincere that Kristina knew he meant what he said. “Apology excepted”. Kristina said, giving him a hug.

“Lucky come here.” Gia said as she gestured for him to sit on the bed next her, resting her head on his shoulder she took a deep breath. “He said he was sorry Lucky, and I think he meant it.” Gia said. “I’m sure he did Gia but how long is that going to last?” “How long will it be until the business consumes him and he shuts you out and you get hurt again?” “Hmmm?” “How long?” Lucky asked his friend. “I love him Lucky, I can’t just give up on him.” “I’m willing to try and work things out, and if that means forgiving him, I will.” “I know how it must have felt for you to see me like that.” Gia said as she hugged him close to her. “But you and I both know that he did not mean for that to happen.” “No you don’t know how it felt, I’ll never forget it.” Lucky said, angrily. “But your right.” Lucky said, nodding. “He loves you and he would never have wanted for that to happen.” “But I love you too and if he hurts you again…” Lucky said. “I know, and I love you too.” Gia said smiling. “I mean, what other guy that I know will spend the whole day at the mall with me?” Gia laughed. “Hey!” Lucky said laughing. “If you weren’t hurt I’d beat you up.” Lucky said, giving Gia another hug. “Yeah right Spencer, more like you’d punch me like a nine year old girl!” Gia teased, hugging him back with a huge grin on her face. The too friends shared a laugh.