Chapter 1
The continual hum of the fan running in the background Gia slowly padded around her tiny apartment willing the time to go slower. Retrieving a locked box hidden in the back of her closet Gia made her way to her bed slowly sitting in the center. Tenderly touching her heart shaped locket before opening it Gia retrieved a tiny key hidden inside. Reciting a silent prayer Gia slowly unlocked the box unlocking the hopes and dreams she still stored there. Moving a small stack of money to the side Gia slowly stared at the pictures of her youth. Life with her father William was anything but easy but somehow he did all that he could to keep a smile on her face. Never staying in one place for longer than a few months it was a wonder Gia made it through school let alone graduate with honors and full scholarships to her choice of schools. However her plans to go away to school were dashed when William suddenly needed her help. And now three years later she was stilled trapped helping William.
Slowly counting the little money she was able to put aside Gia momentarily dreamed of the escape this money would give her. Falling back against her pillows with the money clutched closely to her chest Gia closed her eyes imagining not sandy beaches and warm island breezes but instead small secluded cottages without a neighbor or care within miles. The thought and hope of a life without sadness and pain was all that Gia truly dreamed of. Sighing knowing that regardless to how much she tried to sugarcoat it her life was hell. She was hanging on with all that she had but she was losing hope and that was the last thing she wanted to do. Thankfully as her tears slowly began to fall the alarm clock beside her bed alerted her of the time.
Sighing softly Gia placed the money once again in the box and closed off her imaginings for another time. Work was calling her and knowing Harvey if she was even one minute late he would find a way to dock what little pay she got. Throwing a few items and costumes into an oversized duffel bag Gia left out quickly making her way to Goldmine. Goldmine was he last place Gia ever thought she was step foot in. How did Harvey label it… female entertainment… exotic dancing… stripping… destroyer of her life and all things she had planned. If given the choice she would not have chosen this life for herself but when situations presented themselves to her she had little to no other choice but to accept the job. She was nearly free but it seemed that with each step she took towards her freedom Harvey would find a way to pull her back a thousand steps.
Shaking the thoughts from her head Gia sighed as she placed her hand on Goldmine’s door taking a deep breath before going inside. Forcing a smile on her face Gia nodded to the regulars as they called out to her. Quickly scanning the club Gia said a silent prayer of thanks not seeing Harvey anywhere around. Lately he had become overly friendly with his touches and caresses and that was the last thing she wanted to have to deal with. With this being the weekend she would have more than enough unwanted touches and adding ‘s Harvey’s was the last thing she wanted to do. Surprisingly the dressing room for the most part was empty as Gia dumped her bag on the nearby bench. Riffling through her bag for her first outfit of the night Gia felt as someone slowly brushed up against her. Standing quickly Gia turned around to find Harvey standing closely behind her with a smirk on his face.
Harvey- [smirking] I see you made it….
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] You knew I would…
Harvey- [slowly running his finger across her check] Wasn’t too sure…
Gia- [moving away from him] Well I’m here now…
Harvey- [slowly licking his lips as he watched her] Candy’s sick…
Gia- [shrugging] Ok and?
Harvey- You got her spot tonight…
Gia- [softly as she slowly turned towards Harvey] What?
Harvey- You heard me… you got her spot tonight…
Gia- But you told me I would never have to dance solo… You said…
Harvey- [shaking his head] Doesn’t matter what I said… You’re up there tonight…[slowly looking Gia up and down] I want to see everything you’re working with…
Gia- [softly] Harvey…
Harvey- Nothing you say is going to change my mind so you might as well save your breath…
Gia- [softly] But….
Harvey- Save it Gia…
Gia- [softly] You promised…
Harvey- [closing the distance between them] I make a lot of promises… [his hand slowly going around her waist] that don’t mean I have to keep them…
Gia- I’m not saying you have to but…
Harvey- [slowly running his hand along her body] Unless I start to get what I want the promises are going to stop.
Thankfully before she had to reply several more dancers came into the room and Harvey quickly backed away from Gia. Quickly telling them of the situation Gia again forced a smile as they all congratulated her on getting Candy’s spot for the night. The club was filling and Gia was guaranteed a huge payoff tonight. Caressing her side as he left the dressing room Harvey turned to the dancers once again wishing them a good night worth of tips. Smiling and throwing a kiss and a wink in her direction Harvey finally left allowing the dancers some privacy for dressing. Jumbled conversations flowing throughout the dressing room Gia slowly made her way towards her station plopping in her chair staring into the mirrored wall as she tried to calm her nerves for the night ahead. Letting various conversations drift to her Gia listened quietly as the dancers all spoke at once.
Dancer #1- That cow ain’t sick… she’s just trying to keep from paying me what she owes me…
Dancer #2- Well from what I heard she just might be sick but not in the way you’re thinking…
Dancer #1- What the hell does that mean?
Dancer #2- She’s pregnant…
Dancer #3- Girl you are lying…
Dancer #2- [shaking her head] No… she told me herself…
Dancer #1- [fixing her costume in the mirror] Lucky bitch… she won’t have to be up in this hellhole for at least a year…
Dancer #2- [laughing] A year… like Harvey is really going to let her have any time let alone a year off…
Dancer #3- He wouldn’t really make her dance while she was pregnant would he?
Dancer #2- With Harvey you can never be too sure…
Dancer #1- You know now that I think about it she’s not the lucky one… [nodding in Gia’s direction] Harvey’s new plaything is… seeing how she got Candy’s spot and she ain’t even officially gone yet…
Dancer #2- [laughing as she noticed Gia’s expression] You wrong….
Dancer #1- It’s the truth… hell we better go and get whatever tips we can get now before he starts demanding we had them over to her.
Dancer #3- Yeah right… I’m not giving her a thing…
Dancer #1- You better be quiet before she runs and tells Harvey and we all be in trouble…
Dancer #2- [laughing as they exited the dressing room in their skimpy outfits] Ooh I’m scared…
Shaking her head as they left Gia knew she had to find a way out of Goldmine and Brooklyn as quickly as possible or she was going to break. Slowly leaning back and resting her head on the back of her chair as she closed her eyes to the noise around her Gia said a silent prayer again asking the Heavens above for a glimmer of hope… for something to hold on to to get her through the night.
Nikolas sighed as he checked his watch again for at least the fifth time in the last ten minutes. Lucky had begged and begged for him to join him on his last weekend of freedom and he himself was late. Shaking his head Nikolas softly smiled thinking of Lucky. Who would have thought his younger brother would be on the verge of marriage and commitment. Lucky whose whole philosophy had been to drink, party, and have sex with as many women as possible was now less than a month away from pledging his eternal love and devotion to one woman in front of a congregation filled with family and friends.. Laughing softly again at whole situation Nikolas could not help but wonder if he himself would ever be given a chance to experience life as Lucky. Sighing knowing the answer Nikolas again wondered how differently his life would have been had he refused the crown at 21 and instead had insisted as his grandfather’s will stated that he wait until his 25th birthday for all the responsibilities he was now forced to handle. Knowing these thoughts would help him none whether tonight or any other night Nikolas blocked all from his mind as he heard Lucky and his friends finally arriving.
Nikolas- [slowly standing] I was wondering if you had forgotten…
Lucky- [laughing] Never that… Elizabeth has already told me that this will be the last time I can go to a place like this so there was no way I was missing this.
Nikolas- [smiling] So she forbidding you from places such as this even before the I do’s?
Lucky- [laughing] Yup… unless of course if my older brother was about to make a trip down the isle… then of course I would have to go…
Nikolas- [slowly nodding] Of course…
Lucky- Yeah I couldn’t let you go alone… what kind of brother would I be if I let that happen?
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] Well sorry to disappoint you little brother but this may be your last time at the club seeing I have no plans on marriage any time soon.
Lucky- You say that now but wait until you see these dancers…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] I highly doubt…
Lucky- [leaning in close to Nikolas as he softly whispered] Don’t tell Elizabeth but there are some in there I’d drop her for in a heartbeat…
Nikolas- [laughing] I’m telling her what you said…
Lucky- But you promised….
Nikolas- [still laughing] I promised nothing…
Kevin- Are we going to get this show on the road or what?
Nikolas- [nodding] Of course… just have to alert my pilot when we are ready to leave…[looking once again at Lucky] Is this everyone?
Lucky- [nodding]Yeah…
Nikolas- Then I suggest we take our seats and I will alert the pilot we are ready to leave…
Kevin- What about when we get to Brooklyn?
Nikolas- I have a stretch Yukon Denali limousine waiting for us…
Kevin- [as he buckled his seatbelt] Must be nice to get whatever you want at the snap of your fingers…
Nikolas- [somberly as he slowly shook his head] I wouldn’t know…
Kevin- [leaning back in his chair] You could’ve fooled me…
Nikolas- [softly] Everything is not how it seems…
Kevin- Well I’d trade places with you if you’re not happy…
Nikolas- It’s more than that…
Kevin- [looking around the plane] I don’t see anything worth complaining about…
Nikolas- I’m not complaining it’s just…
Lucky- Hey leave my brother alone or you won’t be making this trip…
Kevin- I was just making conversation… [holding his hands up in surrender] I didn’t mean any harm…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] None taken…
Pilot- Mr. Cassadine we are cleared and prepared to take off…
Nikolas- Thank you Lewis…
Pilot- Once airborne and stabilized you all are allowed to remove your seatbelts and a stewardess will be there to serve you shortly.
Nikolas- [nodding] Thank you again Lewis…
Pilot- My pleasure sir…
Securing his seatbelt Nikolas lost himself in the words of Lucky’s friend. What was he seeing that Nikolas spent his entire life searching for? Could happiness really be given to him with a snap of his fingers? Could he really have everything he wanted if he simply reached for and demanded it? As the stewardess slowly made her way towards the group Nikolas again pushed these wasted thoughts from his head and again willed himself to enjoy this rare night out with his brother and his friends.
Having declined the many drinks given out on the plane Nikolas sat in the back of the stretch SUV trying his best to participate in conversation and antics of the group.
Nikolas- [as they sped towards their destination]Who’s idea was it to come here?
Kevin- [proudly thumping his chest] That would be mine?
Nikolas- Why here?
Lucky- [laughing] Because he can’t get any attention anywhere else. And he knows if he gives up a few dollars he’ll get all the attention he wants…
Kevin- [laughing as he threw a balled up napkin at him] Shut up… I saw how you were looking at Candy last time… You want her so bad it’s killing you…
Lucky- [shaking his head] All I want is my Elizabeth….
Kevin- You wouldn’t be wanting her if she wasn’t pregnant…
Lucky- [angrily] What did you say?
Jeff- [seeing Lucky’s sudden anger] Hey this is supposed to be a celebration… come on guys let it go for one night. Kevin stop being an ass and Lucky calm down man you know he’s full of shit… just let it go because without or without you I’m going up in Goldmine tonight.
Lucky- [slowly shaking his head] Oh I’m going up in there if it kills me…
Jeff- All right… then let’s forget the B.S. for one night and worry about it another night…
Lucky- [nodding] I’m down for that…
Jeff- [looking at Kevin] Kevin?
Kevin- [shrugging] Me too… I wasn’t trying to start anything… you know how I am.
Lucky - Yeah… just don’t mention Elizabeth again…
Kevin- Elizabeth who?
Lucky- Yeah all right…
Pulling up in front of Goldmine all conversation ended as the group slowly exited the limousine. As the others slowly made their way towards the entrance Nikolas pulled Lucky to the side quickly questioning him.
Nikolas- [softly] Is Elizabeth really…
Lucky- Yes but that’s not why I’m marrying her. I love her. I have for a long time and I will probably love her for a million more years...
Nikolas- Are you sure? I don’t want you going through all of this just because you feel you have to…
Lucky- [softly as he shook her head] I love her man… if I didn’t we wouldn’t be doing this regardless to if she two months or twenty months pregnant…
Nikolas- [softly laughing] Twenty months?
Lucky- [smiling]You know what I’m trying to say…
Nikolas- [laughing]Yeah I do…
Lucky- Good now let’s go before someone steals all of Candy’s treats away from me…
Nikolas- [laughing] Ok whatever that means…
Lucky- [laughing as they slowly walked to the door] You’ll find out soon enough…
Nikolas- [softly] Is that good or bad?
Lucky- [laughing] Good definitely good…
Nikolas- [softly as he entered Goldmine] Dear God…
Lucky- [shouting as he walked towards his group of friends] I’m home… Daddy’s home!
Slowly looking around the club Nikolas eyed the huge stage that took up the majority of the room. With a bar surrounding the stage as well as one to both the right and left of it Nikolas shook his head wondering how long this night would last. And as a seemingly endless parade of barely clothed women walked around the club stopping to chat and sit with various customers Nikolas wondered why he had even agreed to come to such a place with Lucky.
Lucky- [yelling at Nikolas from across the room] Come on bro the show is just about to start!
Quickly going to the table Nikolas slid into his seat staring wide-eyed around the club at everything that was so foreign to him.
Jeff- [slowly shaking his head] Yo Lucky I have some bad news man…
Lucky- What?
Jeff- [clutching at his chest as he slowly shook his head] No sweet treats tonight…
Lucky- Huh?
Jeff- No Candy tonight…
Lucky- Come again…
Steve- Candy’s not dancing tonight… hell she’s not even here.
Lucky- [quickly standing] Then hell we can leave now….
Nikolas- [softly] No…
Kevin- [laughing] Looks like the prince is getting into hanging with us commoners…
Jeff- Kevin…
Kevin- [shrugging] Hey I’m just saying…
Not knowing why he suddenly spoke up or even why he suddenly wanted to stay but something was telling him to remain where he was. And if it meant staying alone he would do so. Thankfully as Lucky and his friends settled back into their seats Nikolas trained his eyes on the stage and waited for whatever was to come.
Chapter 2
Deciding to skip the set Gia remained in her chair again closing her eyes and ears to the noise and sights around her. If it took all of her strength she would never be Harvey’s plaything. His touches and unhidden lust sickened her and if she never did anything she would find a way to finally get away from him and this place. From the moment he came to her “offering” his help Gia felt trapped and ultimately used and as much as that cost her she would not lose the last bit of self respect she had by giving in to him. Shaking her head knowing that each touch and whisper he sent her way chipped at her resolve Gia silently prayed again for a sign she knew would never come.
Her eyes still tightly closed Gia suddenly tensed as she felt a gentle hand placed on her forehead. Slowly opening her eyes Gia again relaxed as she locked eyes with her only saving grace from the last three years. Thrown into the job and subsequent lifestyle Gia was drowning until Alma offered her a lifeline and her hand in friendship. Amazingly beautiful, with long flowing wavy hair, caramelized skin, and the kindest eyes Gia had ever seen, Alma came into Gia’s life when she needed her most. Though no more than a few years older than Gia herself Alma took Gia under her wings protecting and guiding her the best she could. And in all the time she had known Gia could not understand Alma’s reasoning for dancing. Her claims of the rush of excitement and the feel of wild abandonment never made any sense to Gia. And many times after their limitless conversations Gia would sense a sadness about her. It was a though she too was holding on to a pain she was not ready to share. Her smiling eyes welcoming her in once again Alma softly spoke to Gia all at once putting her at ease.
Alma- [softly] Hey sweetie…
Gia- [softly] Hey…
Alma- [softly smiling] Why the long face?
Gia- You didn’t hear the good news?
Alma- Naw… [shaking her head as she sat in the chair next to Gia] what’s going on?
Gia- Candy’s sick… [shaking her head] pregnant… whatever…
Alma- That’s the good news? [shrugging] hell with as many customers as she sleeps with I’m not surprised…
Gia- [shaking her head] No that’s not the good news…
Alma- Then what?
Gia- Guess who got her spot tonight…
Alma- But I thought Harvey promised…
Gia- [shrugging]You know Harvey… if its something he wants then he’ll get it regardless…
Alma- [softly] Sweetie…
Gia- [whispering] I hate this place…
Alma- Then quit…
Gia- I can’t…
Alma- Gia…
Gia- [shaking her head] I have to worry about William and…
Alma- You shouldn’t have to worry about that…
Gia- I do…
Alma- Why?
Gia- Because if I don’t… no one else will.
Alma- [softly] Gia…
Gia- Alma he’s my father… he’s all that I have… what else am I supposed to do?
Alma- You’re too good for this place…
Gia- [softly as she slowly shook her head] I don’t feel like it…
Quickly going to her Alma gently took Gia’s face in her hands softly talking to her.
Alma- [gently cradling her face] Regardless to what goes on in this club or what anybody says you are better than this place. You are better than what you are doing… [softly smiling] Sweetie you are the best person I have ever met.
Gia- [softly smiling] I’m going to miss you when you leave…
Alma- [sitting once again] I’m going to miss you too. You’re like the little sister I always wanted…
Gia- [softly as tears suddenly filled her eyes] I wish…
Alma- You wish what?
Gia- [quickly shaking her head blocking her memories] Don’t forget me when you leave…
Alma- Never that… you’re going to have to come and visit me once I get settled…
Gia- [shaking her head]You know Harvey is not going to let me get any time off.
Alma- [shrugging] The hell with Harvey… come anyway…
Gia- Yeah ok…
Alma- I’m going to have a bed waiting for you and everything…
Gia- [smiling] I’m going to hold you to that…
Alma- Good…
Gia- Good…
Alma- [after a few minutes of silence] What are you going to dance to?
Gia- I don’t know… [shaking her head] whatever song it is it had better be short as hell…
Alma- [softly laughing] You are too much…
Gia- I’m serious… I bet you could guess that the other dancers weren’t too happy with getting Candy’s spot…
Alma- [fanning her hand] Forget those cows… they’re jealous if someone has an extra hook in their locker.
Gia- [softly whispering as she leaned back in her chair once again] Can you dance for me?
Alma- Baby I would if I could…
Noticing the light blinking above the dressing room door Gia sighed knowing her time to hit the stage was near.
Gia- [slowly sitting up in the chair] I guess that’s my cue…
Alma- [gently touching her arm] Find a face in the crowd and focus on that face and it’ll go faster…
Gia- [softly as she nodded] Yeah…
Alma- It won’t be as bad as you think…
Gia- [softly as several dancers returned to the dressing room] I hope not…
Slowly rising Gia once again went to her bag searching through its contents until she found the costume she would be wearing. Taking a deep breath Gia slowly went through her ritual of undressing and then redressing for the stage.
As the drinks were passed around the table Nikolas sat back watching as Lucky and his friends partied the night away. Something made him want to stay at this club and regardless of the antics going on around him Nikolas was determined to have a clear head when the cause finally came to him. As several dancers joined them at the table sitting on various laps tossing back drinks with those around Nikolas kept his eyes trained on the stage. Yet as the music slowed allowing the dancers still dancing the opportunity to work the stage for more tips Nikolas looked quickly at Lucky shaking his head as he watched Lucky. His hand slowly moving up a dancer’s leg as he gently kissed her neck Lucky looked up catching his brother’s eye. Seeing an unknown emotion Lucky quickly tried to explain himself.
Lucky- [softly] Pretty soon I won; t be able to do this…
Nikolas- [slowly shaking his head] If you say so…
Lucky- [whispering] Don’t tell Elizabeth…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Lucky…
Kevin- Mad because you’re not getting any attention huh prince?
Nikolas- Excuse me?
Kevin- You flash a couple of dollars and you can have a dancer sitting on your lap too…
Nikolas- I’ll pass…
Kevin- [shrugging]It was just a suggestion…
Nikolas- [flatly]Yeah whatever…
Lucky- This is the last night I will ever get to do this…
Kevin- [mumbling] Candy won’t be happy to hear that…
Lucky- [quickly giving Kevin a look] I want to enjoy this without feeling guilty…
Nikolas- You don’t have to explain anything to me…
Lucky- But…
Nikolas- You make your own decisions and you will have to deal with the consequences of your actions…
Kevin- [fanning his hand at Nikolas ] No one wants to hear that. We came here to have a good time… if you don’t want to do that go and sit in the car. Now if you want to have some fun pull out your money and start tipping these lovely ladies and Lucky worry about that nonsense tomorrow.
Lucky- [nodding] Kevin’s right… let’s just have some fun and I’ll worry about Elizabeth and everything else tomorrow…
Dancer- Who’s Elizabeth?
Kevin- [smirking] Lucky’s fiancé…
Dancer- [wrapping her arms around Lucky’s neck as she turned to him] Lucky you about to up and get married on me?
Lucky- [smiling] Well…
Dancer- [gently kissing his neck as she moved on his lap] Maybe I can do something to change your mind…
Lucky- [laughing as his hands moved on her again] Maybe…
Shaking his head once again Nikolas signaled a waitress to the table quickly placing an order. Drowning his drink once brought Nikolas again turned his attention back to the stage as the music ceased and the MC came over the speakers.