CH 33

“Gia come on!” Nik yelled from downstairs, he had been waiting for Gia for a half an hour. “I’m coming, shut up Creepy!” Gia hollered down. Nik rolled his eyes. He knew that Gia was not looking forward to tonight but this was getting ridiculous. His brother wanted this to work out so much, but the truth was that Nikolas had his doubts. From the moment Gia met Liz, he knew that she couldn’t stand her. This night was going to be interesting.

Gia looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She had on a maroon colored silk, long sleeve blouse that was tied at the waist and a long tight fitting black skirt. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun on top if her head and she wore black shoes on her feet. Her makeup complemented the color of her shirt, giving her face a slightly dramatic look. She wasn’t concerned about her looks however; she was wondering how she was going to get through tonight. She glared into the air before she walked out. This night was going to be hell.

“Gia, you look in increa… Gia will you stop looking like that!” Nik said as Gia made her way downstairs with a scowl on her face. “Stuff it prince.” Gia snapped. “Gia! Please stop, will you just do this for me?” Nik pleaded. Gia walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry.” She whispered in his ear and then leaned in and began to place small kisses on his neck. “It’s OK Sparky, you really look gorgeous.” Nik said. “Thank you.” Gia whispered in his ear and then stuck her tongue in. Nik closed his eyes as he felt her tongue working his ear. He suddenly pushed her back and looked at her. “What are you doing?” He asked. “Nothing.” Gia said innocently. Nik eyed her. “This isn’t going to work Gia.” Nik said. “Damn.” Gia muttered. Nik shook his head and smacked Gia’s butt playfully. Gia laughed and hit him lightly on the arm. “OK lets get this over with.” Gia said walked out the door.

Elizabeth sat across from Gia, she couldn’t stand the girl, but she had to admit, she did look beautiful. She looked over at Nikolas who had his arm draped around her shoulders. What does he see in her? She wondered if she lost her friend forever to this girl. Oh god, she sounds so shallow, Liz thought as Gia began to speak. But look at the men; they’re hanging on her every word. Oh god, is she staring me down? Liz glared right back at her. Oh please, I can take her.

Gia sat across from Elizabeth, oh god she hated her, but she had to admit, she looked kind of nice. Did she just look at Nikolas? Oh I don’t think so honey, Gia thought. She quickly thought of something to say. “You know, I’ve never been to The Grille before, it’s pretty nice.” Gia said. Nikolas and Lucky answered her; she clearly got the reaction she wanted. She glared over at Liz, oh god, is she glaring back? Oh please she couldn’t take me if she tried.

Nikolas could feel the tension in the room. He looked over at his brother and wondered if he noticed it too, no probably not. He looked over at Gia; he could tell she was struggling to act civil. He looked at her face and could see her inner battle. She looked so beautiful tonight. His arm was draped around her shoulder. He smiled as he listened to her comment. “Yeah we should come here more often.” Nik said as he lightly ran his hand up her bare arm. Oh god, they just glared at each other, this isn’t going to be good.

Lucky sat next to Elizabeth and looked over at his brother and his soon to be sister-in-law. They looked so happy together. Oh he has his arm around her, I should do that, Lucky thought. He put his arm around Liz. His brother kept staring at Gia. He should, she looks beautiful tonight. So does Liz, but they looked completely different. Liz was cute. Lucky smiled at Gia’s comment, and then his brothers. “Yes, Gia you’ll love the food here.” He said. He looked around the table; thinks seemed to be going well.

“So Gia, where are your parents again?” Liz asked. “They’re in Spain right now, my father is very busy at the moment, but they should be here in time for the wedding.” Gia said, emphasizing the word wedding. “Oh that’s nice, so they just left you here? That must be hard.” Liz said. “Not really, I’m use to it. So what is it you do again?” Gia redirected the conversation off of herself. “I’m an artist.” Liz replied. “Oh that must very fun, I’m sure you work very hard and make a lot of money doing that.” Gia said. Liz glared at her. “Hey why don’t we talk about the wedding?” Nik suggested, thinking it would ease some of the tension in the conversation. “OK, so Gia, I bet you’re the type of woman who enjoys spending a lot of money on things. So I’m sure you are going to have a big elaborate wedding.” Liz said. “Well, hey since we can afford it, why not?” Gia said, this time emphasizing the word afford. Gia felt a slight pressure behind Nik’s hold on her. “But, why don’t we talk about you? Tell me, what’s it like working at Kelly’s?” Gia asked. Liz began to speak but Gia cut her off. “Because I mean waiting tables must be really rewarding, and fulfilling.” Gia said sarcastically. “Gia stop.” Nik whispered in her ear. She turned and glared at him, she hated when he told her what to do. “I’m sorry Lizzy that was mean of me, I’m just going to eat my dinner now.” Gia said. “Oh good, then maybe you’ll shut your mouth for more then a second.” Liz mumbled. “You bitch!” Gia said getting up and lunging at her, but both men stopped Gia before she could strike at Elizabeth. Gia jerked away from Nik’s hold and ran out in huff.

“Gia wait!” Nik yelled after her. He got up and fallowed her outside. “Did you hear what she said to me?” Gia asked as she spun around. “Gia you two were both tossing insults back and forth and she got carried away, OK? Come on you can take it. Just tell her to mind her won business or something.” Nik said smiling at her. “That’s not the way I like to handle things, I’m not the type of girl who talks things out, I kick ass Nikolas.” Gia said seriously. Nik didn’t take her seriously however and he started to laugh. “I know you can kick her ass Sparky, but she’s my brothers girlfriend.” Nik said smiling. “She is so boring Nikolas, I wanted to shoot myself.” Gia said. “Don’t say that. Now can we go back in there and try again, please?” Nik asked. Gia sighed. She walked up to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “I would only do this for you Creepy.” Gia said smiling. “Thank you.” Nik said softly and took her hand in his and walked back in.