Part Three
Sonny knocked lightly on Jason's door. He waited a few minutes and then knocked again a little more loudly. Finally the door opened. Jason stretched as he greeted his best friend.
"Did I wake you?"
"It's morning, I need to be woken anyway." He said.
Sonny looked past him to see Gia still asleep on the couch. "So the rumor is true."
"Yeah." Jason looked back. "She is still out like a light."
"If Taggert knew, he'd kill you." Sonny said.
"It's not like I tried anything." Jason shrugged as he put on his jacket. "I just gave her a place to crash. Now what do you need me to do?"
"How did you know?" Sonny asked, with a little grin.
"I know you." Jason reminded him. He glanced back at Gia. "Maybe I should stay in case she wakes up."
"Don't worry about it." Sonny said. "I told Carly that I would need you this morning so after she feeds Adella she is going to come over."
Jason appeared to be thinking it over. With one last glance back at Gia, he sighed and then followed Sonny out.
****
Gia felt trapped. She knew that she was having a nightmare but she just couldn't wake herself up. She was having dreams a lot lately. They all were the same. She cried out again. "Nikolas…please stay here with me." She pleaded.
"I am sorry, Gia." Nikolas said as he walked further away from her. "But I am my father's son. He needs me."
"No." Gia protested. Then she heard the laughter. It was the same exaggerated laugh she always heard. She turned around to see Stavros standing there.
"Gia, my dear, my son has chosen." He chuckled. "Too bad that you lose."
"NO!" Gia cried louder this time. Suddenly both father and son disappeared and Gia shot up. She had finally woken. Her hands flew to her face to rub her eyes. Something didn't feel right.
Where was Nikolas?
When her vision finally was able to focus she found herself staring at a door. She looked around. This wasn't her bedroom. Where was she? She looked around. She felt confused…and dizzy. She leaned back against the couch as she continued to wonder where she was.
Then it hit her…the urge to throw up.
She stood up, ignoring her pounding head. She looked around. She didn't even know where she was. How was she supposed to find the bathroom? She bolted for the stairs, climbing them at a fast pace. She knew she was going to throw up. At the top of the stairs, she hesitated and then went left. Thank goodness for her instincts. She just barely made it to the bathroom.
Minutes later, Gia laid her head against the cool floor. She was dry heaving now. She finally took some deep breaths and started to calm herself down. She reached up and flushed the toilet and then grabbed a towel to wash her face. She was putting the cool water on her face when she heard someone calling her name.
"I'm up here." Gia announced, hoping the woman would stop calling her name so loudly.
Carly Corinthos appeared at the doorway. Leticia was with the children now. She took in Gia's appearance. "You look terrible."
"Thanks." Gia snapped. She finished cleaning her face and then sat down on the toilet. It was all coming back to her now. The fight…the drinking…Charlie…and Jason. She looked up at Carly's. "Am I at Jason's?"
Carly nodded. "Yep." She produced two pills and a glass of water. "I figured you'd have one wicked hangover before I left so I grabbed these. They work like a charm on headaches. I should know…having two children and all."
Gia accepted them and then felt the urge to laugh. "This is so strange."
"What is?" Carly asked, leaning against the doorway.
"I woke up in Jason Morgan's penthouse. I have only met this man once or twice in my life and it was after I blackmailed his sister. To top it all off, I am talking to Carly Corinthos. We don't exactly get along."
"Well, I don't exactly hate you." Carly grinned. "Sure we fought. But that was years ago. I really don't have any reason to sit here and fling insults at you."
Gia smiled a little.
"Why don't we go downstairs and sit for awhile?" Carly suggested. "Just until you get your senses up to par…"
Gia followed the other woman downstairs. Gia settled back on the couch, thankful that she hadn't gotten sick on the white fabric. Carly flopped down on the chair. She made a face and then pulled out the blanket that had gotten bunched up behind her back.
"Looks like Jason crashed on the chair."
"Why would he do that?" Gia asked.
"Probably just to make sure that you don't get sick in your sleep or something. It can happen." Carly explained.
"He must have had a rough night."
"That's the thing about Jason; he could sleep anywhere and be comfortable." Carly grinned. "Do you want some tea or something? It might help to calm your stomach."
Gia nodded. Carly disappeared in Jason's kitchen. Gia felt like she had fallen into some sort of dream land. Carly was getting her tea? Jason watched her through the night in case she got sick? She wasn't used to people going out of their way to help her…especially people who didn't know her that well and had a good reason not to like her.
Carly returned and handed Gia a cup.
"Jason must think I am such an idiot!" Gia said as she sipped the drink. "I was so mean to him last night. I am so surprised he just didn't dump me on the sidewalk."
"That's the other thing about Jason. He doesn't like to see people get hurt. He goes out of his way to help others. I mean…well, look at what he has done for me." Carly sighed. "I hurt him a lot and he really should have just turned his back. But he didn't. He raised my son when I couldn't. He forgave me when he shouldn't have. He helped Sonny and I realize what we mean to one another…twice. I owe a lot to Jason. I just wish the guy would help himself once and awhile."
Gia understood. Carly was making reference to Elizabeth. She had left him twice, both times choosing Lucky over him. The last time was harder on Jason. He came back to town after Carly's accident and Elizabeth leaped into his arms. But before the year was over she was Mrs. Lucky Spencer leaving Jason in the cold again. Jason hadn't really dated since then.
"I guess he just finds contentment through helping others. I swear if he wasn't in the mob I would tell him to put on some tights and go fight crime." Carly grinned wickedly.
Gia just shook her head. Why was it again she didn't like Carly? True, the Carly she had gotten to know was scheming to ruin Laura…but she did get Gia the job as Face of Deception. But like Carly said that was years ago. Gia couldn't help and like this Carly. It was almost like they were having girl talk.
The door opened and Carly and Gia looked up. Michael came running in. "Leticia said that I could come over."
"It's alright." Carly said as she hauled her son onto her lap. "Michael, this is Mommy's friend, Gia."
"Hi Gia." Michael grinned. "I know who you are. You are the pretty girl in all of Mommy's magazines."
"It's nice to meet you, Michael." Gia said. She wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was the pills or the tea or maybe it was the good company…whatever it was, Gia was glad. She felt so much better. Her smile was real and she felt relaxed. When had she felt last relaxed?
"You want to know how old I am Gia?" Michael asked.
She nodded.
"I am seven!" He held up seven fingers. "Uncle Sonny said I am a man now!"
Gia bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I think he is right. You are a man!"
Michael grinned. He looked up at his mother. "Told you!"
"You can't blame Mommy for wanting you to stay little forever!" Carly kissed his forehead. "Why don't you run along to Leticia? If you are such a big man you can help her with your baby sister."
Michael nodded. "Goodbye Gia."
"Goodbye Michael." Gia said watching the little red head go. "He's so adorable."
"Isn't he?" Carly beamed. "I swear he and Adella are my life."
"What about Sonny?" Gia asked.
"Well, he fits in there somewhere." Carly laughed.
Gia finished her tea. She looked at her watch. It was close to dinner time. Her eyes grew wide. "I should be getting back to the house!" She said standing up. "Where is my coat?"
Carly went to the closest and pulled it out. "Do you want Johnny to drive you? He wouldn't mind."
"I can drive myself." She said spying her keys on the desk. "I'll be fine." She slipped into her jacket and headed out the door. As she pressed the button for the elevator she said. "Will you tell Jason I said thank you?"
Carly nodded.
Gia went into the elevator. She hesitated and than put her hand out to stop the door. "Thank you Carly…for not asking what happened or why I did what I did."
"I figured if you wanted me to know, you would have told me." Carly said.
Gia smiled. "Thank you." She repeated before letting the door go shut. She leaned against the wall and sighed. She wished she could have stayed there all day, listening to Carly talk. But she had to get back to Wyndermere. Nikolas must have cooled down by now. She had to tell him that she didn't mean it. She didn't want it to be over. She loved him. They needed to talk, and not fight. They had to work this out.
She walked through the garage, memories of the night before flashing in her head as she got closer to her car. Jason was helping her out of the car. He was so gentle…so nice. He really didn't have to help her especially after what she did to Emily. She drove back to where she stored her car, thinking of the night before. She should be so grateful to Jason. Who knows what would have happened if he wouldn't have been there? She could have woken up in Charlie's arms or worse. She was angry with herself for being angry at him the night before. He was only trying to help her out. She hoped that she got a chance to thank him.
She slowly made her way to the launch, dreading what was to come. She hoped for once that she and Nikolas didn't have to fight. She leaned against the railing and hoped that her ultimate wish would come true. She hoped that she would enter the house. Nikolas would be waiting there for her. He would pick her up and spin her around. He would tell her that she was right…he was fixated on Stavros. He would tell her that it was all going to end and that she would never have to worry about Stavros again. Then they would kiss and start their life together.
Gia sighed. That was too much at once. She just hoped that she could get Nikolas to hear her out. She promised herself that she wouldn't angry with him. She would speak in a calm voice, a quiet voice. She didn't want Nikolas getting upset. She didn't want another fight.
Gia stepped off the launch and headed up the path to Wyndermere. She wished a long time ago that she hadn't agreed to live in the large house. It only served to heighten Nikolas' obsession with Stavros. They should have stayed at the cottage. She opened the door and listened. She heard nothing but silence. She would check the study first. He was usually in the study.
Opening the door, she called for him. She didn't see him or hear an answer. The next place she headed to was their bedroom. He must be in there, she thought. She opened the door to the darkened room. "Nikolas."
There was no answer. She noticed that there was no one in the bed either. She felt the familiar feeling of panic rising in her. She shook her head. He was in this house, he had to be. She noticed that the closest door was open a little. She must have left it open in her rush to get ready. She walked over and was about to shut it when she noticed something.
All his clothes were gone…
She flung the door wide open. They were all gone. Every last one of them. She went to the dresser and opened the top door. Everything was gone.
Gia raced from the room. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, she was calling his name frantically.
Finally, Mrs. Landsberry appeared. She looked at the upset young woman and felt her heart sink. She hated what she would have to tell Gia.
"Ms. Campbell." She said, reached out to touch the distraught woman. "He's not here."
"Where is he?" Gia demanded. "Did he go the PC Hotel?"
The older woman shook her head. "He left early this morning. He wouldn't tell me where only that he would be going out of the country."
"Did he say for how long?" Gia asked. She had to talk to him. She had to tell him she was sorry. It was all her fault.
"No." Mrs. Landsberry's voice was quiet. "He said that he would contact me with more details on the house. He told me that you are allowed to stay here as long as you like."
"So he is coming back." Gia said.
"I wish I could say that, Ms. Campbell. He made it sound like this move would be permanent." She watched as the younger woman seemed to collapse. Gia leaned against one of the chairs at the table. "Can I get you anything?"
"No, no." Gia said, waving her off. "Just leave me be, okay."
"Okay." Mrs. Landsberry backed off. "But you'll let me know if you need anything?"
"I said leave me be." Gia repeated evenly. "I just want to be alone."
The housekeeper knew all this was normal. She knew that Gia needed to cry. After all, Nikolas had just ended their relationship. The poor girl…she had put so much of her life into this relationship.
Gia waited until Mrs. Landsberry was out of the room. Then the sobs came. They echoed off the walls of the huge room. She had to get out there. She couldn't stay there. Not without Nikolas…
Still in the clothes she had worn the night before, she raced out of the house back to down to the launch. Where would she go now? Nikolas had pushed away most of his friends and family. Gia didn't want to talk to her mother or brother. They would just sigh and say 'I told you so'.
She stepped off the launch and stood on the docks, with her arms wrapped around herself. She never thought it would end like this. She thought she and Nikolas would be together forever. She walked over the bench and sat down. She pulled her knees up to rest her chin on them.
"Gia?"
She looked up to see Jason and Sonny standing there. She quickly wiped away all her tears. "Hi." She said quietly.
"Are you alright?" Jason asked.
Gia nodded. "Sure." She lied. "Thank you for helping me out last night. Sorry for acting like such a jerk."
"You were drunk. You really didn't know what you were doing." Jason said.
"Tell your wife thanks again." She said to Sonny. For some reason, she really didn't feel that afraid of him. He must have gotten over the accident she had with his sister years ago. Even though she was friends with his sister, Courtney, when she had left town a year and half ago she still always felt afraid of the mobster. But after her morning with Carly, her fear seemed to have disappeared a little.
"She's great, isn't she?" He smiled. "I am glad she could help." He looked at Jason. "Speaking of Carly, I promised her I would meet her in the park with the kids. Want to come?"
"I'll catch up." He said.
Sonny nodded. "Have a good day, Ms. Campbell."
"I will." Gia lied again. "You too."
He smiled and then disappeared.
"He's not so bad after all." Gia said, looking back at Jason.
"Tell me
the truth Gia." Jason said sitting next to her on the bench. "Are you alright?"
"I am." She nodded.
"You forget that I am friends with Carly. She was the Queen of Lies a few years ago and I saw through every one of them." Jason said. "Gia, don't do this to yourself."
"Okay, I am not alright." Gia cried. "Are you happy now?" She felt a fresh batch of tears start to fall. "Oh God Jason...he's gone. Nikolas left me." She was getting hysterical. "He's not coming back. What am I going to do?" She moaned. Jason's arms wrapped around her. She immediately placed her on his shoulder and sobbed.
"What am I going to do?"
