CH 11

“Gia?” Nik said gently. He bent over and kissed her on the lips. Her eyes fluttered open at the contact. “Hey” Nik said with a smile. “Lucky is going to be here pretty soon to decorate the room.” Nik said. Gia sat up and looked around the room and was confused. Then she remembered Nik bringing her up here and wanting him to stay with her. “What are you doing up so early?” Gia asked, groggily. “I actually never went to bed.” Nik confessed. “Nikolas” Gia said touching his face. “You need to stop this.” She said softly. “Gia I’m fine OK?” “I just have a lot to do right now, that’s all.” “I would tell you if something was wrong with me.” Nik reassured her. “I have to tell you something though.” Nik said. “Gia I have to go to Boston for a few days.” “I talked with Kristina and she’s going to stay the night with you while I’m gone.” “I need work some things out with Mr. Jackson.” Nik said. Gia looked crushed. “You’re leaving me?” Gia’s voice quivered with emotion. “Gia I’m sorry but I have to.” Nik kissed her cheek. “You know we have that huge party coming up in a couple of weeks.” “That’s something to look forward to right?” Nik said. “Nikolas you think I care about some stupid party?” Gia said angrily, getting up off of the bed and heading to the bathroom. “Gia, I’m just saying that maybe you and Lucky can go shopping for it or something to pass the time.” Nik said. “Fine Nik, we’ll go shopping, we’ll go to Luke’s, we’ll have so much fun!” Gia exaggerated. “Gia, don’t be like this.” Nik said. “Be like what Nikolas?” “Pissed off that my husband is ditching me for his brother?” Gia shouted. “Don’t say that!” Nik yelled, pointing his finger at her. “Well it’s the truth!” Gia yelled back. “I don’t have time for this!” Nik said, walking out of the room and slamming the door behind him. Gia slid down the bedroom wall and sobbed into her knees.

“Hey, you going somewhere?” Lucky asked when he walked in and saw Nik packing. “Yeah Boston.” Nik nodded, thinking briefly how dumb of a question he was asked. “For how long?” Lucky asked. “It should only be a couple of days.” Nik said. “Will you keep an eye on Gia for me?” Nik asked. “Nik you don’t even have to ask.” Lucky said. “So is she up yet?” Lucky asked. “Yeah but you might want to give her a few minutes.” Nik said. “OK” Lucky said. “Well I’m off, I’ll see you in a couple of days.” Nik said to his brother. “OK, see you when you get back bro!” Lucky said.

Nik looked up the staircase briefly contemplating going up to see Gia but decided that it wasn’t a good idea and walked out.

Gia came down stairs and found Lucky waiting for her. Wearing some old jeans and a wife beater shirt. She was wearing a pair of loose fitting overalls with a light pink tank top underneath. Her thin braids were half hidden underneath a pink bandana that was keeping them out of her face. She wore some old sneakers on her feet. She was all ready to paint.

“Hey you ready to start working?” Lucky asked but then noticed the sad look in her eyes. “Did Nikolas leave?” Gia asked. “Yeah, why?” Lucky asked. Gia was crushed that Nik wouldn’t say goodbye to her. She knew that they had been fighting but she thought he would at least come and say goodbye before he left. “I just wanted to tell him something before he left.” Gia said. “Are you OK?” Lucky asked. Gia nodded her head and smiled brightly. “Yeah, lets get to work.” Gia said, grabbing his hand and leading him upstairs.

Lucky’s heartbeat quickened when he and Gia neared the room. He hadn’t been in it since the night of the accident. “It’s OK, the room was pretty much cleared out after I got home.” Gia said, feeling his resistance.  “The only thing that’s left in here is the bed.” “The new one is being delivered later this afternoon.” Gia said. “So the first thing we need to do, is take this old one out of here.” Gia said. Lucky reluctantly stepped in the room. His heart stopped when he saw the blood stain on the floor. “Gia I don’t know if I can do this.” Lucky said, backing up. Gia hadn’t realized how much this would bother him. “Lucky, I’m right here with you.” Gia said with a warm smile. Lucky nodded his head and let Gia guide him the rest of the way in.

~~An Hour later~~

“God, I can’t believe how much work this is!” Gia said. She looked around the room. They finally had the bed taken out and were all ready to paint. “Oh this is so exciting.”

Gia said, pushing the roller up and then down. The white paint, coating the wall in front of her. “I just hate these walls!” Gia said. Making a face at the deep gray color underneath. “Who decorated this place anyway?” Lucky asked. “I don't know Marilyn Manson?” Gia said. They both burst out laughing. They both worked until the whole room was coated in white. “OK we have to let this dry before we put the color on.’ Gia said stepping off of the latter she was on. Lucky quickly walked over to her and helped her down. Gia rubbed her arm that was starting to hurt where she was cut. “So, lunch time?” Gia asked when her feet were on the ground. “Sounds good!” Luck said.

“Here’s your sandwich.” Gia said handing it to him. “Thanks” Lucky said, smiling. “Here you have a little..” Lucky said, wiping the paint off her face with his thumb. He felt a jolt coursing through him at the touch. He looked down at Gia who was smiling up at him and fought the urge to kiss her. She’s your brother’s wife! Lucky thought, bringing his hand down and walking to the table to sit down. 

Lucky was shocked by his sudden feelings for Gia. He has always thought she was beautiful but she was with his brother. He shook the thoughts he was having off and focused on his food.