CH 15

Stovros came downstairs the next morning to find Nikolas eating breakfast alone; he noticed that Brandon had already left. He sat down across from Nikolas, who looked up at his father and locked eyes with him. Stovros would never admit this but he always felt weaker under his sons stare. His eyes were so dark and deep. “Tell me about her.” Stovros said. Nik smiled weakly. “We met at a party. She hated my guts because I spilled something on her dress. She yelled at me, she was so mad. No one had ever talked to me like that.” Nik said. Stovros smiled. “I like her already Nikolas.” He said chuckling slightly. “You would be crazy not to like her father. She’s so special.” Nik said. Stovros could see the desperation in his son’s eyes. “You love her don’t you?” He asked. Nik looked down, fighting back tears. “I do father.” He breathed. Stovros put his hand on Nikolas’ shoulder supportively. “Your brother doesn’t Nikolas. I can see it in his eyes. It’s just a game to him.” Stovros said. “But Brandon always wins at games.” Nik said in a soft, almost childlike tone. “You have something that he doesn’t though. You have such a heart Nikolas, just like your mother. You’ll see my son, you’ll win this one.” Stovros said. Nikolas thanked his father and got up from the table, he then left for school.

Gia got off of the bus with Jacob in her arms; she headed for the park, as it was their usual park day. Her stomach felt queasy as she looked around, memories of Nikolas filling her head and heart. She had wanted to go to another park, but Jacob insisted on coming to this one. She walked him over to the slide and let him climb up, catching him as he slid down. Gia laughed and picked him up as he came down. “Nikki.” Jake said. “Jacob, stop it. Nikolas is not coming today now stop.” Gia said exasperated. Jake squirmed to get down and started to run past her. Gia’s heart sank when she saw Nikolas getting out of his car. She saw Nikolas hold his arms out to Jacob as he walked and she quickly caught up to Jake and picked him up. “Stay away from us Nikolas.” She said walking away. Jacob started to squirm. “Jacob no, you can’t play with Nikolas anymore.” Gia said holding him tightly. Jake began to cry as he tried to get down. “Gia please, he wants to see me.” Nik said as he walked towards her. “No! When he was a baby, I swore to this little boy that I would always keep him safe. That means protecting him from people who will hurt him. He’s too little to understand what you did to him but I know the truth and I won’t let him get hurt. You used him and now for some sick reason you want to keep doing it? Just stay away from him!” Gia yelled, her voice thick with emotion. Jacob was now crying so hard; he looked like he couldn’t breathe. “Gia, please, I won’t hurt him I promise. I just miss him and I want to see him. Can’t you see how much you’re hurting him right now, while you’re keeping him away from me? Please don’t do this.” Nik pleaded, now in tears. Gia looked at her brother, tears streaming down her own face from seeing him like this. She sighed before walking closer to Nikolas and handing him Jacob. Jacob immediately wrapped his arms around Nik’s neck as Nik soothed him. Hugging him tightly and whispering soothing words into his ear. Jake still sniffled as Nik carried him over to the swings. “Do you want to swing?” He asked softly. Jake lifted his head from Nik’s shoulder and nodded slightly. Nik smiled and set him in the swing and began to push him.

Gia stood at a distance with her arms crossed as she watched Nikolas play with her brother. Jacob was now as happy as ever as he played with his friend. After a while of heavily playing, Nikolas turned to Jacob as he held him, he began to talk quietly so that Gia couldn’t hear him. “Hey buddy, you know your sister’s pretty mad at me right now, you see Nikki messed up big time. I said some mean things about her and I really hurt her feelings. I’ve tried to say I’m sorry but she’s not hearing me. So I’m not sure how much I’m going to be able to see you right now. But I’ll try and work it out so that we can still see each other OK?” Nik said into his ear. Jake nodded his head sadly; not understanding what Nik was saying but knowing that he was asking him something important. “I love you Jake.” Nik whispered. “I love you Nikki.” Jake said kissing his cheek. Nikolas walked over to Gia and handed Jake to her. “Say goodbye Jake.” Gia said. “Bye Nikki!” Jake said cheerfully. “Bye.” Nik said softly. Gia started to leave, but Nik couldn’t let her without saying something. “Gia I..” “Nikolas, just because I let you see him does not mean that I’m talking to you.” Gia said cutting him off. “I just want to explain myself a little Gia.” Nik said desperately. Gia shook her head. “You don’t need to, I heard what you said Nikolas. You can’t take it back. Just because you’re sorry about what you said does not mean that you didn’t mean it. I heard you, you were laughing at me Nikolas.” Gia choked out. Nikolas looked at the ground sadly. “I hate you Nikolas.” Gia whispered. Tears rolled down Nik’s cheeks as Gia started to walk away again. “Please Gia, I want to see Jake again, please don’t keep me away from him. I swear to you that I won’t ever hurt him again, I love him.” Nik pleaded. Gia sighed, as she remained turned away from him. “I don’t know.” She said softly. Gia’s cell phone rang and she struggled to get it with Jake in her arms. Nikolas came around and grabbed Jake from her so that she could get it. She mumbled a brief thanks as she got her phone out of her purse.

“Hello, this is Gia.” She said into the phone. “Hey Gia it’s Brandon.” He replied. “Oh hi Brandon how are you?” Gia asked, not lowing her voice at all. Nikolas heard who it was but he kept talking to Jake to keep his mind off of it. “I was just wondering if you talked to your friend about watching Jake?” Brandon asked. “Yeah actually I did and she can’t watch him this week. I don’t know what to do because the other sitter I use sometimes is out of town.” Gia said. Nikolas walked over to her. “I can watch him.” He said. Gia excused herself from the phone call and covered the phone with her hand. “I don’t think so.” She said shaking her head. “Come on Gia, you need help and you know Jake loves me.” Nik said. “You know who I’m talking to and it doesn’t bother you that you’ll have to watch my brother while I go out with yours?” Gia asked, not sure why she was hurt by this. “It bothers the hell out of me Gia but I love Jake and this way we can spend some time together.” Nik answered. Gia was quiet for while. “OK.” She said nodding. “Brandon? I found someone to watch him. OK so I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon then?” Gia said. She ended her call and turned to Nikolas. Their eyes connected and they stayed that way for a while. “Gia.” Nik said. Gia shook her head. “I have to go, should I bring him by your house or what?” Gia asked. “Yeah just when you come over to go out with Brandon, leave him at the house with me.” Nik said, being sure to say Brandon bitterly. Gia looked down. “Thank you.” She said softly and then reached to grab Jake from him. “Bye buddy.” Nik said patting his back as he let go of him. Gia looked up at Nikolas, knowing what was going to happen next. She walked away without saying another word and held her brother as he cried. “You’ll see him soon Jakie OK?” She said in his ear as she walked to the bus stop. It didn’t help however and Jake continued to cry as she held him.