What is Love? {COMPLETE}

《5》

~√~√~√~Normani's POV~√~√~√~

"Where the hell have you been!?" Lauren yelled as soon as I closed the front door

"Do you know how worried I was!? I've been calling" the pale, raven haired girl stressed

"I know I'm sorry, I don't remember much from last night and I realized my phone was dead this morning which is why I haven't called you" I explained

She sighed and pulled me into a hug

"I'm just glad you're okay." She admitted and I smiled

"How'd you get back here? You met someone?" She added as she pulled away "and I'm pretty sure that's not what you wore to the party last night"

I blushed at her observation and looked down at my shoes

"Yeah" I said softly but of course she heard

"Really?! Was he cute? Rich? Was the sex bomb?" Lauren asked bombarding me with questions

I playfully rolled my eyes and started for my room

"We did not have sex. They do have money, they're attractive I must admit and it's not a guy" I answered

She went to ask another question but I closed the door and sighed in content when I heard her walk away

Since I had already showered, I just changed into something more comfortable and got in bed just relaxed and watched TV

~》

One week later

"Here you go and enjoy your day" I said as I handed the customer her goods

Just last week I got a job. It wasn't much but it did give me money in my pocket

"Keep up the good work Mani, you're doing great" Mr. Jauregui said

He was the one that offered me the job, seeing as he knew me for years and needed an extra hand. I accepted and now here I am

I smiled at the compliment before going around to the back to continue my previous task which was restocking. About five minutes in Camila, another employee called me to assist a customer since she was already dealing with one

I nodded even though she couldn't see me, before making my way to the front but I stopped in my tracks when I saw who it was

My eyes took in the sight of her, from her lightly curled natural blonde hair to her fancy red bottom heels

"Ms. Hamilton" she greeted

"Hi...Normani is fine. May I help you?" I spoke up

She kept her business face on, her stern side not so intimidating as it usually was

"Yes you can. Do you have cable ties?" She asked, her eyes never leaving mine

"Uh..yes we do"

"Please lead the way Ms. Hamilton" she answered

"Just Normani" I insisted

'Does she have to be so formal all the time?' I thought as I turned and lead her to the section that had the item she wanted

I took a package of cable ties and held it like I usually do when assisting customers. I looked up from the package in my hand to find her looking down at me. I felt small with her staring att me

"Is that all?" I asked breaking eye contact

"Masking tape"

I nodded and lead her to the area

"We have the two inch and the one inch" I said holding both up for her to choose

"I prefer above 6 and 1/2 inches but I'll take both" she said and I slowly nodded as I tried to figure out if that was supposed to be read in between the lines or not

"Are you redecorating?" I asked as I looked at the three items so far

"Nothing of the sort" she answered and a pregnant silence fell open us

"Anything else?" I asked breaking the silence

"Yes. Rope"

Once again I lead her to the designated area and reeled out 5 yards of rope as she had requested. As I did I felt her gaze on me but I didn't dare to say anything, I just did my job

"That's impressive" she said causing me to pause and look at her

"I'm sorry?" I asked confused as to what she was talking about

"The way you're reeling the robe. Did you do girls scout?" She questioned

"No, girls scout isn't really my thing" I answered and cut the rope at exactly 5 yards

"And what would you describe as 'your thing'?" She asked using air quotes which kind of made me smile as to fight off a small laugh at how she used the air quotes

"Singing and dancing..." I trailed off

A small smile made its way to her face when she heard me say that

"Well whatever it is that you choose, I believe you will do great at it" she encouraged

"Thank you" I smiled but hers went back to her professional state

"Okay, so you have your rope, tape and cable ties...anything else you would like to add?" I asked as I pushed my hands in my back pocket of the jeans I'm currently wearing

"What do you suggest?" She asked and I was honestly lost for words

I glanced down at the items now in her hand and blurted

"That looks about it, the complete set of a serial killer...oh you need a coverall...you know so you won't get dirty"

"I assure you I'm not a serial killer and the coveralls won't be necessary. For what I have planned, I could just do it naked" she replied

I did not expect her to say that. But for some reason, her last sentence made my lower region throb

"No clothes it is" I said before quickly correcting myself "I meant no coveralls"

I felt awkward and so I lead her to the front for her to check out. As I did cash her items I made small talk trying to ease the unfamiliar tension between us

"Thank you for answering Lauren's questions"

"Its no problem. Anything I can do to help is in my objectives" she answered "I hope she's feeling better"

"Yes she is. She's just having difficulty trying to clear a photograph of you for her journal entry" I admitted as I bagged the items

"I'm free tomorrow. I could schedule a photoshoot and she can get the photos the same day" she implied

"You would do that? Uhm, I mean-" before I could finish my sentence she cut me off

"Call me tomorrow before 10. I really have to go now" she said and reached into her pocket for a card and handed it to me

She grabbed the bag of items before leaving. I couldn't help but watch as she left