Bound

II

~~

Nicki's P.O.V.

Nicki was exhausted. She wasn't even sure if that was even the right word to use anymore at this point but while she was beyond, beyond grateful that her career had taken off like a rocket from day one after so much hard work she's put into her image, her sound and for her fans.

Nicki was glad that her tour was finally finished, the high was still with her but those long nights of not sleeping were catching up to her and she was ready to catch up for the next two weeks. She was at the tail end of her tour and now it was just TV shows she had to make an appearance for, red carpets and she would be home in no time at all.

Currently she and her crew were in cape town, a short stop before they got back into the States and Nicki honestly just wanted to take a little time for herself and go shopping. So she took her bodyguard and her assistant insisted on going with her. Nicki dressed down in a pair of jeans, a light jacket and a cute cap and off they went.

Porsha sighed heavily next to her, not bothering to look up from her phone to enjoy the scenery that was around them, "This is a waste of time, Nicki. We need to be back at the hotel and rehearsing for your interview with—"

Nicki waved her away, smacking her lips, "Porsha please. That's hours away. Ain't nobody told you to come, so don't try to bring down my vibe with that mess right now. Tell me on the plane."

Porsha rolled her eyes when Nicki turned her attention back out the window, "All I'm saying is that you need to be focusing on what's important here. You can shop when this tour is done, Nicki."

"If you say another word about this tour, Porsha, I swear to God you gonna have to find your own way back to the hotel and pray you don't miss our flight out."

That shut her assistant up because everyone in the car knew that when Nicki said something, she meant it and that was her final word. For the rest of the ride to the traditional markets of Cape Town, Porsha wisely kept her mouth shut and sulked.

~~

The traditional market was overwhelming to Nicki, full of culture and colors. From handmade jewelry and clothing to home-cooked food that wouldn't normally be found anywhere else. Nicki wasn't much for the clothes but she was buying trinkets like there was no tomorrow and she was just having fun with the locals who more than likely had no idea who she was. And that was so damn refreshing for the rapper.

There were no paparazzi around to harass her and ask stupid questions, and Nicki was just enjoying the feeling of normalcy.

It was starting to get later in the day and judging by Porsha's increase of huffing and bitching behind her, Nicki figured it was time to put an end to her shopping trip but something caught her eye. Between two clothing booths, a little ways down the alley behind them was a slanted little shop. A little tucked away and it was bright orange curtains that caught Nicki's attention.

And she wasn't even aware that she was walking towards the entrance before Porsha stopped her, "I don't think you should go in there, Nicki. That looks like a voodoo shop or something."

"Eh," Austin grumbled rubbing the back of his neck, looking a little wary himself, "I gotta agree with Porsha on this one, boss. This don't look too good to me either."

Nicki scoffed at them both, though she did agree that the shop looked a little off, there was just something so curious about it and she had to see what was in it before they left for good.

"You two can stay out here then. I'll be back in a few."

Nicki walked inside, ignoring them both and the shop wasn't as dark as she expected as there were unscented candles lit everywhere but it was just as dark and gloomy as it appeared to be outside.