Chapter 17

For the next three days Gia avoided life. Needing the time to collect and regroup Gia did not answer her phone or leave her house. Kamar, Lucky, and her family continued to call but Gia was still not ready to speak to anyone. Slowly dressing to return to the hospital and her “life” Gia steadied herself for the questions she was sure to come. Locking her things away in her locker Gia was interrupted by a delivery man.

Delivery man- Excuse me...
Gia- [turning to look in his direction] Yes...
Delivery man- Can you tell me where I can find a [looking at his invoice sheet] Ms. Gia Campbell?
Gia- [softly smiling] That would be me... I’m Gia.
Delivery man- [smiling] Cool... I have a package for you... sign right here please.

Quickly signing her name Gia wondered what kind of package she had coming... better yet who would be sending something to her. Shocked Gia could not believe the huge bouquet of flowers the delivery man handed her.

Gia- [smiling] Oh my God... these can’t be for me.
Delivery man- I believe so ma’ am...
Gia- But from who? I mean...
Delivery man- There’s a card attached miss.
Gia- [handing him a tip] Thank you so much for bringing these to me...
Delivery man- [shaking his head] A tip is not necessary... it has been taken care of.
Gia- Are you sure?
Delivery man- [nodding] Yes... have a good day and enjoy your flowers.
Gia- [smiling] I will...

Once the delivery man was gone Gia tore open the card curious to who sent her the flowers.

CARD ~ Thinking about you... you are always on my mind...

Even more confused after reading the unsigned card Gia didn’t know what to make of the flowers. Why someone would send flowers and not sign the attached card was a mystery she could not figure out. Before becoming lost in thought about her mystery floral arrangement Kamar walked through the door a huge smile plastered on his face.

Kamar- [smiling] G ~ Baby...
Gia- [smiling] What up K...
Kamar- [quickly hugging her] Where the hell you been? I’ve been calling and calling you.
Gia- [returning his hug] I know...
Kamar- You know and you still didn’t answer the phone?
Gia- You know how rare it is for us to get three days off in a row...
Kamar- [nodding] Yeah...
Gia- Well I just chilled the entire time... no phones... no tv... no nothing.
Kamar- [placing his things in his locker] Sounds cool...
Gia- It was...
Kamar- After a night out with the “duds” I’m sure you needed it.
Gia- [softly] Yeah...
Kamar- How did it go once I left?
Gia- Pretty much the same way it was going when you were there.
Kamar- Upmh... what do you make of Lucky’s brother?
Gia- [shrugging her shoulders] I...
Kamar- Yeah... I guess we need to hang out with him a little bit more before we can really make a judgment.
Gia- [nodding] Yeah... I guess...
Kamar- [noticing the huge bouquet of flowers] Wow! Who is somebody trying to impress?
Gia- Huh?
Kamar- The flowers... who’s the lucky person these belong to?
Gia- [smiling] They’re mine…
Kamar- [raising an eyebrow] Yours?
Gia- Yeah…
Kamar- Why?
Gia- Maybe somebody likes and…
Kamar- Who?
Gia- I don’t know… no name on the card.
Kamar- Oh…
Gia- It wasn’t you was it? You know trying to make up for leaving me with Ren and Stimpy…
Kamar- [laughing] No...
Gia- Well then maybe Lucky…

Before Gia could finish her comment another huge bouquet of flowers arrived via a new delivery man for Gia.

Delivery man- I have a delivery for a Ms. Gia Campbell...
Gia- Oh my God... you gotta be kidding me.

After signing for the flowers and reading another unsigned card Gia was completely lost as to who would be sending her these flowers.

Gia- [shaking her head] I don’t know who is sending me these flowers…
Kamar- I don’t know either but you must have made one hell of an impression of them.
Gia- [shrugging] I guess...
Kamar- Come on before Oliver comes in here pitching one... we’ll have to figure this out later.
Gia- Yeah... [looking at the card one last time] come on.

Over the remainder of their shift Gia continued to receive bouquet after bouquet of flowers, all with the same unsigned message/card, seemingly every hour on the hour. And after every bouquet Gia noticed Kamar’s growing detachment. Needing to know the reasons behind Kamar’s attitude Gia attempted to speak with him until Dr. Oliver cornered her.

Dr. Oliver- Dr. Campbell…
Gia- Yes Dr. Oliver.
Dr. Oliver- Am I to assume I’m in the wrong place?
Gia- Excuse me?
Dr. Oliver- I did not realize we had been assigned to a florist shop.
Gia- I…
Dr. Oliver- I suggest you find a better location for these flowers.
Gia- I wasn’t aware they were a problem...
Dr. Oliver- [rudely] Well they are...
Gia- I’ll call around and...
Dr. Oliver- I don’t care what you do. Remove them quickly.
Gia- I will...
Dr. Oliver- I would hope that next time you have them delivered elsewhere.
Gia- [as Dr. Oliver walked away] Yes Dr. Oliver.

Calling around quickly Gia had the flowers sent to various patients of the hospital who until then had no other ‘gifts’ of cheer and support. Having taken care of all flowers Gia was finally able to speak to Kamar without interruption. Finding him in the doctor’s lounge rumbling through his locker.

Gia- [softly] Max... what’s wrong?
Kamar- [not looking at her] Nothing...
Gia- Come on... I can tell something is wrong. What...
Kamar- Forget about it... just leave it alone.
Gia- K...
Kamar- [raising his voice as he flashed angry eyes at her] I said leave it alone.
Gia- [recoiling] I’m... I’m sorry.
Kamar- [his voice softening] Gia...
Gia- [backing away walking towards her locker] I just... you were upset and I wanted... [shaking her head] nevermind...
Kamar- [softly] G...
Gia- [nodding] It’s ok Max... do you want something from the cafeteria? I’m headed there now and...
Kamar- G... look at me...
Gia- [softly as she slowly looked at him] What is it?
Kamar- [shaking his head] I don’t like it.
Gia- [confused] What?
Kamar- The flowers... the note card… all of it...
Gia- [hunching her shoulders] I don’t know who’s sending them to me.
Kamar- That don’t matter...
Gia- [noticing the look on his face] K...
Kamar- [shaking his head] Let’s just drop it ok...
Gia- Max... if I get 100 bouquets of flowers or 100 unsigned cards why would it matter to you?
Kamar- Because... [looking down] I don’t know.
Gia- [slowly walking back towards him] K...
Kamar- [shaking his head as he continued to look down] Just forget it...
Gia- [softly touching his face] Just say it...
Kamar- [looking up at her] I like you... [sighing heavily] I really like you and I guess I’m... I’m jealous.
Gia- Jealous?
Kamar- I want to be the one sending you flowers. I want to be...
Gia- [slowly smiling his words finally registering] You like me?
Kamar- [softly as he locked eyes with her] Yes...
Gia- [softly] I like you too.
Kamar- Really? I mean you’re not just saying that to make me...

Before Kamar could finish Gia covered his mouth with hers gently kissing him. momentarily shocked Kamar stood rigid unsure of what to do. But with the feel of her lips on his Kamar slowly wrapped his arms around Gia bringing her closer to him as he tightly enclosed her in his arms. Opening her mouth to his urgent tongue their mouths quickly danced over one another intent on tasting all. His arms loosening while her arms tightened around his neck Kamar gently caressed her cheek amazed by its softness.

Kamar- [slowly pulling away from her] Wow...
Gia- [slowly smiling] Yeah...
Kamar- We need… I think we should... I...
Gia- [smiling] Let’s go to Luke’s when our shift is over and we can talk about what just happened then.
Kamar- [smiling still at a loss for words] Cool...
Gia- [smiling as she slowly left the lounge] Yeah cool...

Once outside the room Gia stopped bracing herself against the wall. Despite the kiss and the feel of Kamar’s arms around her all Gia could think of was Nikolas. His touch... his kiss... he was forever branded in her mind and no kiss nor touch from another could change that. Before becoming lost in thoughts again of Nikolas Gia was given a patient to occupy her thoughts.

~ Luke’s ~

Not knowing where Gia had escaped to or where she lived was slowly getting the best of Nikolas. Having exhausted the resources given to him Nikolas was now near the point of asking Lucky for all necessary information about her. It seemed as though she disappeared into air and their night together merely an apparition created by his desire. Sipping slowly on his drink as he sat waiting impatiently for Lucky to arrive Nikolas wondered how he should approach the subject of Gia.

Lucky- [smiling as he neared the table] Hey bro... you’re here already.
Nikolas- [a small forced smile] Yes...
Lucky- [slowly sitting down] Well good... I need... I want to talk to you.
Nikolas- About?
Lucky- Em and Liz should be here soon and...
Nikolas- [noticing Lucky’s nervousness] What do you wish to speak to me about?
Lucky- [softly] Gia...
Nikolas- Gia... [his interest piqued] what of her?
Lucky- Well... Gia is... Gia is a really good friend and...
Nikolas- So I’ve been told...
Lucky- [confused] Huh?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I apologize for the interruption... do go on...
Lucky- Last week when we went out things... things got a little out of hand and...
Nikolas- And I wish to apologize for my part in that and if given the opportunity I would like to apologize to Gia as well...
Lucky- [nodding] Thank you... she’s a really cool person and you would like her...
Nikolas- I’m sure I would. Tell me this though... why does it appear that neither Emily nor Elizabeth likes her much?
Lucky- [shrugging] I don’t know about Elizabeth but I guess with Emily it has something to do with Jason...
Nikolas- Jason?
Lucky- [mumbling] Yeah Jason Morgan...
Nikolas- What of him?
Lucky- He’s Emily's brother and...
Nikolas- I know... why would this cause conflict between Emily and Gia?
Lucky- They dated... well whatever you want to call it and then everything changed...
Nikolas- How did their relationship end?
Lucky- I’m not sure... Gia doesn’t talk about it much and Jason... well we aren’t exactly friends even though we both work for Sonny...
Nikolas- Sonny?
Lucky- Sonny Corinthos... Gia’s brother. You remember the guy that came into the Grille to speak to Gia.
Nikolas- [nodding] Yes...
Lucky- Well that’s Sonny...
Nikolas- How are you connected to Sonny?
Lucky- Computers... I set up his computer system at Corinthos Industries... I run the department there now as well.
Nikolas- And this involves Gia how?
Lucky- Well I met Gia there when she came to visit Sonny one day... [at Nikolas’s nod he continued] anyway when whatever Gia and Jason had ended Emily naturally landed on Jason’s side and...
Nikolas- You on Gia’s?
Lucky- Something like that...

Before Nikolas could question lucky more about Gia Elizabeth and Emily arrived changing quickly the topic of conversation. Nikolas knew now however that if he needed information about Gia Lucky was definitely the person to go to. By the time their drink order arrived at their table Emily was all over Nikolas intent on claiming him as hers tonight. Pressed close against Nikolas Emily lightly touched his leg while she placed soft kisses on his neck. Nikolas lightly shook his head knowing this would be a long night and he only prayed that he somehow had the strength to endure it.

Chapter 18

Lucky watched as Nikolas and Emily “bonded” over drinks. Maybe Nikolas was what Emily needed to slow down... maybe his influence on her would be enough to change her destructive behavior. Going out and partying night after night was taking its toll on his friend and for the longest Lucky did not know what to do about it. But since Nikolas had been in town Lucky saw a decrease in Emily's partying and maybe just maybe the Emily of old would to return.

Nikolas sat disgusted by Emily's constant groping and kisses. She was the last thing he wanted and soon if he didn’t think of something to distract her she would know exactly what he thought of her. His first sight of Gia...her eyes dancing with anger, her face full of fury, her arms failing around her he was hooked and all other women ceased. Their next encounter in the hospital when first he inhaled her scent and felt the softness of her skin Nikolas knew that he had to make her his. Meeting her again at Luke’s for his return home celebration only cemented in his mind and heart that not only wanted her but needed her. And to have held her in his arms and tenderly loved her Nikolas knew there was no cure for his addiction to Gia. And to have Emily rubbing and kissing on him continually turned his stomach.

Nikolas- [pulling away from Emily] Em... Emily would you like to dance?
Emily- Aww... I think we would have a lot more fun if we stayed at the table.
Nikolas- I’m sure that would be true... but I would like to...
[holding down the bile as he forced himself to continue] I want to feel you in my arms...
Emily- [smiling as she slowly stood] Well since you said it like that...

Moving quickly to the dance floor as Alicia Keys “Falling” played in the background Nikolas and Emily began to dance. Momentarily it seemed as if asking Emily to dance had been a good idea until she began to again rub and kiss on him. Feeling as her hand brushed against the crotch of his pants Nikolas pulled away from Emily looking down at her.

Nikolas- What... what are you doing...
Emily- [seductively smiling] Just seeing if it was enough for me to handle...
Nikolas- Excuse me...
Emily- You can’t tell me you haven’t been feeling the same things I have.
Nikolas- And what do you suppose we should do about these "feelings"?
Emily- [slowly licking her lips] I want feel you...
Nikolas- How so?
Emily- [softly as she continued to rub his crotch] I want to hold you in my hand until you become long and stiff...
Nikolas- And?
Emily- And then I want to be inside of me... pumping so hard into me it making me feel like I’m about to break in half...
Nikolas- Don’t you think it’s too soon for us to be doing something of this sort...
Emily- It’s never too early... hell I would have slept with you the moment I saw you.
Nikolas- You barely know me...
Emily- That can all be changed in a matter of moments...
Nikolas- That is quite the offer but...
Emily- [lightly licking up his neck] Umm... I can taste you now...
Nikolas- Taste me...
Emily- [whispering as she licked his ear] Yes... you cumming in my mouth while I’m slowly licking you dry...
Nikolas- Emily...
Emily- I want you so bad… I haven’t felt like this in a long time. I find me touching myself wishing and praying it was your hands instead.
Nikolas- [at a momentary loss for words] Well I…

Quickly grabbing his head Emily brought his lips to hers kissing him passionately. Forcing her tongue into his mouth she drank hungrily of him. Increasing pressure she held him within her hands slowly stroking him. Trailing her tongue to his ear Emily sucked on his earlobe lightly kissing and biting it as she continued to stroke him.

Emily- [slowly trying to unzip his pants as she whispered in his ear] I want to f*ck you right now… right here for everybody to see...
Nikolas- [pushing away from Emily] Ok... I think I need a drink now...
Emily- [smiling as she walked back to the table] Think about what I said...
Nikolas- How could I not...
Emily- You won’t be disappointed... [slowly licking her lips] I guarantee that.
Nikolas- I bet you do...

After witnessing some pretty heavy stuff going on between Nikolas and Emily on the dance floor Lucky quickly made his way joining his brother at the bar. Once Lucky was gone from the table Elizabeth leaned over to Emily smiling from ear to ear.

Liz- Wow... what was going on during that dance?
Emily- Nothing...
Liz- Nothing?
Emily- [slowly smiling] Just making sure of something...
Liz- What?
Emily- Just making sure that Nikolas is thinking of nothing or no one but me from now on...
Liz- You want him don’t you?
Emily- [softly laughing] He’s as good as mine...
Liz- [giving Emily a high-five] You sure know how to work it...
Emily- [giggling] And you it...

While the girls continued to laugh and cackle over Nikolas being Emily's Lucky approached Nikolas ready to ask him exactly what was going on.

Lucky- That was something...
Nikolas- [downing a drink before turning to Lucky] What was?
Lucky- You and Em on the dance floor...
Nikolas- Yeah... [looking at the bartender] Give me another one…
Lucky- [watching as Nikolas downed another shot] Is something wrong?
Nikolas- Why would you ask that?
Lucky- Well… while Emily is gushing at the table about you and her you’re up here downing shot after shot.
Nikolas- [rudely] And what is this little of information is telling you?
Lucky- Hey if I said something wrong…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I apologize… it was nothing you said…
Lucky- But…
Nikolas- [looking at the bartender for another shot] Nothing…
Lucky- What is it Nikolas…
Nikolas- I understand Emily is your friend…
Lucky- And…
Nikolas- I do not wish to cause any unjust strife between the two of you…
Lucky- But…
Nikolas- Your friend’s pursuit is a bit strong…
Lucky- What did she say to you?
Nikolas- That is not important…
Lucky- You like Emily?
Nikolas- Like?
Lucky- Ok… are you in anyway interested in Emily?
Nikolas- [downing his latest shot] No…
Lucky- Why? [noticing Nikolas’s expression] I mean she’s beautiful and she’s a great person and…
Nikolas- I agree…
Lucky- So why…
Nikolas- She is certainly beautiful in her own right however besides her beauty there is not much that would interest me.
Lucky- Who does?
Nikolas- Excuse me?
Lucky- Who does… I mean what interests you in a woman.
Nikolas- [the image of Gia flashing quickly in his head] Everything… the way she smiles even though you know she’s trying her best not to. Or the way she looks at you and only you and when you look into your eyes you read so much… even the things she wish you would not see. The way it feels when you hold her in your arms and you never want to let go and you know secretly she doesn’t want you to let go either. Or the way it feels when you are holding her in your arms and…
Lucky- Who are you talking about?
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] No one you know…
Lucky- [slowly smiling] So you got someone waiting for you in Greece huh?
Nikolas- Unfortunately no…
Lucky- Then who…
Nikolas- Simply a dream of someone who’s momentarily out of my reach.
Lucky- But you’re trying to correct that right?
Nikolas- Of course…
Lucky- [softly smiling] Well that’s good… but what about Emily?
Nikolas- What of her?
Lucky- Don’t hurt her in the process…
Nikolas- I have no intentions of hurting her however…
Lucky- However?
Nikolas- Simply saying no does not appear to be enough to dissuade her…
Lucky- Well that’s Emily… when she wants something or someone she normally does not stop until she gets it.
Nikolas- I see…
Lucky- Just talk to her… or I’ll talk to her…
Nikolas- No… I can handle speaking with Emily on my own.
Lucky- Well do what you think you have to.
Nikolas- I will…
Lucky- Come on… let’s go back to the table…
Nikolas- [nodding] It does not make much sense to prolong the enviable.
Lucky- Yeah…

Smiling broadly as Lucky and Nikolas returned to the table Emily quickly grabbed Nikolas’s hand bringing him close to her. As Nikolas began to speak Gia and Kamar walked into Luke’s hand in hand and all thought process was stopped.