A Stolen Minute

Chapter Two: Sun, Day 2

By the time Normani got to her hotel it was well after eight in the morning. Going by her time it was two in the morning. She was determined though to not fall asleep since she slept on the plane to Amsterdam. She only lasted two hours after she checked in, sleeping until it was late afternoon.

When she did wake up again she ordered room service before she actually looked at the room she was in. She really wasn't one to just flaunt her money on all things extravagant. Her immediate family and friends kept her humbled throughout the years she spent in the business. She was grateful for it and felt different being in such a lavish place. She was on vacation after all though.

She had turned the tv on trying to find something to watch, but the thought of Lauren distracted her. She smiled as she stared off into space. She can admit that her first two bump ins with the new, now obvious, Hispanic had her thinking this trip was going to go downhill from there. Once they spoke at the Amsterdam Airport she knew she liked Lauren. Especially since after she gave Lauren attitude over two mishaps, it didn't faze her from still trying to talk to her.

Normani kept her wall up with anyone who wasn't her family and friends. She tried to do the same with Lauren, mainly because all the past people she met who weren't celebrities were only trying to be with, or near, her for their own benefit and bragging rights. She hadn't even noticed how open she had been with Lauren in the cab until she was no longer with her. When she was around Lauren she didn't have to think about what to say so she could keep her wall up, it all just flowed. She felt like she was talking to someone she knew for years.

So, when she woke up later into the next day, she didn't even question if she was going to the aquarium. She did have to stop on the way to transfer some of her money on her card to one from the country.

Even though she was by herself, she was enjoying the large aquarium. She was recognized a few times, but it wasn't anything compared to how it would've happened with American fans. They were calm the whole time and held some type of short conversation with her before even asking for a picture or autograph.

A while later she was standing in front of a floor to ceiling aquarium admiring all the different fish that were roaming around. Someone bumped her lightly immediately making her roll her eyes but also be happy that Lauren actually showed up when she was there as well. She turned ready to say something about the new greeting Lauren had for her, frowning when she saw it wasn't Lauren at all but some random guy. He looked at her not saying anything at first, just staring. Normani raised her eyebrows quickly, waiting for him to day anything. He snapped out of his daze, an apologetic look crossing his face.

"I'm sorry. You're just way prettier than I expected."

Normani smiled tightly, mumbling "thanks" before she looked back at the huge fish tank. She was expecting him to walk away but sighed a little once he spoke again.

"I'm Nikolais."

"Normani. "

She said blankly not looking away from the tank.

"Are you new or visiting."

"Visiting."

She was hoping the short answers would turn him away. It wasn't that he wasn't good looking himself, she just genuinely wasn't interested. It was confusing to her friends how she would have all types of men and women throwing themselves at her yet would pay none of them attention. She knew a lot of her options were cute and if she were anybody else she would gladly take her pick. She herself knew the reason, she just didn't know how to explain it without her friends questioning her sanity.

Normani's short answers to Nikolais only made him stay longer than wanted to try and get the answer he wanted.

"You here by yourself or with friends?"