CH 31

Gia kicked and squirmed but couldn’t get away as the man pulled her into the back ally of Kelly’s. She thought Josh was dead. Tears streamed down her face as she could feel his warm breath on her neck as his face leaned closer to hers.

“Shh, it’s OK Sparky.” He whispered in her ear.

Gia’s body relaxed against his arms and she slowly stopped her squirming. Her chest began to slowly stop it’s heaving as she leaned into his body.

“That’s right Gia it’s me.” Nik said as he turned her around.

A sob escaped from her mouth as she collapsed into his arms and clung to him. Her initial feeling of relief wore off and she quickly became angry and scared. She whipped her head away from him and before she could stop herself, she slapped him across the face. She slowly began to walk away from him while he rubbed his cheek in shock.

“Gia.” Nik said quietly. He started to move closer to her but she shook her head stepped back even further.

“No Nikolas, stay away from me.” She said before she took off running. Nik quickly caught up to her and wrapped his arms around her body.

“Nikolas let me go!” Gia yelled.

“Shh Gia, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Nik said as he held onto her.

“Nikolas let me go, I’m scared of you.” Gia begged. Tears were now flowing from Nik’s eyes as he unwrapped his arms from her body.

Gia turned around to face him and saw the hurt look in his eyes.

“Gia I love you. I would never hurt you.” Nik pleaded in a low sob.

Gia stepped closer to him and reached out to touch his face. She wiped away his tears and held him as he cried.

“I’m sorry Nikolas. It’s just when you grabbed me like that, I panicked. I thought I was being attacked and then I saw that it was you I was relieved. But then I started thinking about all the things my family has told me about you and I freaked.” Gia said ashamed as she looked down.

Nik caressed her face and bent down to lightly kiss her lips.

“I’m not a monster Gia. I love you and I want to marry you. I would die before I let anyone hurt you.” Nik said as he held her face in his hands. Gia nodded her tear-stained head and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she looked up at Nik’s smiling face and smiled back at him.

“I wanted to give you something.” Nik said as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small jewelry box and handed it to her. Gia looked up at him confused but took the box from his hands. She opened it to find a gold chain, as she pulled it out she saw that there was a beautiful diamond in the middle.

“I thought that you could wear it around your neck where no one will notice it under your clothes. You can wear it close to your heart. I have hope that one day I can get it made into a ring for you and you can wear it on your finger for everyone to see.” Nik said as he watched her face. Tears rimmed her eyes as they danced rapidly; her eyes amazed him. He could get lost in her eyes.

“I love you Nikolas Cassadine.” Gia said wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly as she smiled.