Work Text:
It was a typical day as everyone met in the studio to do the photoshoot. Vera munches the baguette as she eyes the others. She scrolls through her Instagram feed, looking through her friend's posts and stories. "Vera, you're up!" Joseph yells, as she finishes her breakfast and puts on the last touch of her makeup, she saunters over the greenscreen. "Alright, today we'll be shooting in quite a different style. We know you'd adapt easily, Vera." Joseph announces as Vera nods off.
They begin their photoshoot with the usual warm-up, as they continue to do what their goal for today's photoshoot is. The staff handed Vera a fluffy white cat as she was supposed to take pictures with it for their usual venture brands. As usual, Vera turned on her model mode to get this photoshoot done. About 30 minutes later, Joseph and the crew were satisfied with the results as they ended the session quite early than their estimated time. Vera immediately rushes off the studio, running to the nearby bar to meet up with her friends.
"Vera!" Tracy yelled, standing up from their table. Vera sighs, getting engulfed by a group hug. "How was your photoshoot session?" Emma questioned Vera. "Well, it went smoothly like the usual." She answered. The girls asked questions while Vera answered them in return. They manage to order their brunch with the help of their waitress/barmaid Demi. The bar was bustling with customers as the place became even more crowded and noisy. They waited for at least 20 minutes as the food came out Demi with her usual cheery vibe makes the atmosphere flood in colors again.
They dig in their meals, sometimes exchanging words but, mostly they ate in silence except for Vera, whose phone couldn't stay silent. Her phone kept buzzing with notifications flooding one at the time. Vera took her phone out and saw that her recent post getting likes and comments, Margaretha saw Vera furrowed her brows she decided to muster her courage to ask, "Vera, is everything ok there?" The brown-haired woman looks at her and nods, smiling as if nothing is wrong.
They chatter, gossiping for some time, and ending it with the usual question of everyone's daily life until it felt like hours as Patricia and Emily had to interrupt them, informing that they have to go back to their work. They all said their farewell's, leaving Vera all alone. She sighs, looking over her phone until a message from Martha popped in. Vera chuckles, opening the messenger app they use to communicate with each other.
'Heya V, it's me, Martha, I think work will end early than I would expect so I was wondering if you are free tonight' Vera smiles as her fingers glide over the keyboard. 'Yeah, I'm pretty much not in a tight schedule for once. Should I wait for you at my place or what?' On the other hand, Martha was trying to control her inner joy, knowing she just asked Vera out. Naib saw this and sighs, shaking his head from Martha's excitement. 'Cool! I'll pick 'ya up at around 6:00 PM, how does that sound?' Vera checks her schedule through the email sent by the manager regarding her photoshoot sessions. '6:00 PM will do just fine. Alright, better finish your work before your colleagues think you're crazy or something.' Martha looks around the place and gives a glare to Naib before returning to her phone. 'Yes, ma'am!"
Vera turned on the hot water tap as she let her body soak into the bubble bath she wanted so bad, tying her hair to a bun, she relaxes as the warm water massaged her tense parts. She unlocks her phone as she scrolls through her feed, seeing people commenting on her post, she saw her girlfriends chatting in the group chat they have but without Helena, since her eyesight didn't support it to chat things online. She checks the time on top of the screen. 17:02. Vera shot up from the bath and wrapped herself into her fluffy towel, drying up so she can wear her clothes for the date.
17:47. Vera applied makeup on her face, rushing as time was of the essence. She rushes, wearing her outfit for tonight's date of her and Martha. There was a knock on the door, there Martha is waiting for Vera to finish whatever she's doing, although she knows she's several minutes early for the date. "Vera? Can you open the door? I pretty much wanna sit and chat while you do your stuff." Martha yells, crossing her fingers that Vera can hear her. After waiting for what felt like minutes, Martha hears a muffled voice from inside, "Yeah, the door's unlock just go in." Martha turns the doorknob as the door creaks open. She enters in the elegant, warm apartment where she felt familiar and at home already.
"Martha, I'm applying my eyeshadow, it'll just take 2 minutes that's all." She hears Vera's voice from her room. She missed going on dates with her girlfriend, as it has been a while. They both had tight schedules of their line of work, so, understandably, they couldn't meet frequently. So, usually, if they have their monthly date, they push their limits to the point where they take a day off. Martha knows that's risking her life, especially when Naib gives her the stare, but it's a shot that's worth to take when it comes to love.
While Vera, on the other hand, she knows that this date means a lot, knowing she doesn't get much time to meet her friends and her girlfriend. So, she sometimes cherishes the moments to the point that her modeling career can sometimes get frustrating that she has to use those moments to soothe her mind. Modeling can be a pain in the ass, that's what she can tell to the beginners. Vera sighs, finally finish from applying her makeup. A simple yet elegant look for tonight's date. Vera grabs her purse and stepped out from her room, showing her outfit to Martha, who is reclining on the sofa.
"So? How do I look?" Vera poses, her outfit making her look cute yet elegant at the same time as it shows her curvaceous body. Martha's face immediately heated up, the long-sleeved sweater making her charming but, the sleeveless dress that gives another layer to the outfit makes the wearer look stunning. "You look um beautiful as always!" Martha tumbles over her words, speechless at the moment. Vera chuckles at Martha's beet-red face, "Ah, thank you for your sweet words as always." She gives a peck on Martha's cheek. Martha felt like she's floating in thin air, Vera chuckles at the sight of the blushing Martha. "Shall we go?" Vera links her arm to Martha's, smiling at her. Martha tightens the link and smiles back, "Alright. Let's go." She grins and, they both walked out of Vera's apartment.
They went to the nearby amusement park where lots of people will be there, and probably some of their friends are going to be there spying on them both, but that's not something they're bothered about tonight. Vera smiles at the warm lights emanating from the enormous Ferris wheel in the center of the amusement park, the sweet aroma of cotton candy from the nearby vendors, and the bustling sounds of the people surrounding them. It was just perfect, too perfect that it felt like a real dream date rather than just an ordinary one. Vera lets Martha take the lead to find some food and entertainment for them in the carnival. They bought corndogs, cotton candy and played some carnival games together.
It was a blast and felt so surreal, never in her life she would think she will go on a date with an incredible person who could give them the comfort she needed from her modeling career. She hugs Martha's arm and carries on with their walk. Martha notices this and leans her head gently to Vera's. They played some games like the bean bag toss, the balloon dart where Martha somehow manage to win because of her sharp eye, and lastly, the Ring The Bell where they both had most laughs because both of them aren't strong enough to make the indicator ring the bell on top.
On the contrary, the girls, Naib and Eli are watching the two ladies, who are still on their date. "They look the absolute cutest!" Emma cheers. "Talk about Martha, never knew she could be romantic." Naib cooed as Eli nods his head in agreement. "You're right! And, look at Vera, she's having such a blast!" Margaretha squeals, seeing the two girls play some of the carnival games. "Oh, what are they up to now?" Patricia squints, using the binoculars to get a better view. Martha and Vera are munching on a massive cotton candy, spoon-feeding each other. The divine cuteness sight of them made Patricia melt inside. "Naib isn't wrong when he says that Martha can be romantic to her girlfriend." She whistles, giving the binoculars to Emily.
Emily uses the binoculars as they see the two girls walking towards their direction. "Everyone, duck!" She whispers as everyone immediately hides in the bush again. Vera laughs at Martha's story that she's telling as they decide to sit on a bench without them knowing who is behind them. "That was a blast, Martha! Thank you for inviting me out on the carnival night! I don't even know that tonight is the final night for it." Vera smiles sweetly at Martha as Martha's heart melt for a second. "Oh, no problem Vera. It was just a coincidence that you're free tonight." Martha opens her phone, getting a message from Naib one hour before their date begins. 'Oi, me and the others are going to help you out with your little date.' Martha, suddenly felt fear overwhelming as she is nervous about what kind of help are her friends going to do to her date.
Out of nowhere, a mistletoe appears on top of them. Vera takes notice at first, as she tugs Martha's sleeve and points at it. "Martha, look! There's a mistletoe." Martha looks up and sees it. But, what Vera didn't notice is that there is a thin black string attached to it. And, oh boy, is Martha silently freaking out at this. "You know what mistletoe's are a sign of right?" Vera smirks at Martha, who blushes even more. "I-I'm well a-aware, Vera." Martha stuttered on her words, speechless from her friends 'help'. Martha breathes as she musters up the courage to kiss Vera. The group, in the bush, is always waiting for this kind of moment, seeing their ship sailing. "Oh, just kiss already!" Naib pops out from his hiding spot and pushes Vera's and Martha's head in unison, making them kiss.
And, that's where everyone gets out from their hiding spot and starts to cheer. Emily and Emma are hugging in joy, Tracy and Helena are blowing the party blowers, Fiona is throwing confetti into the air, Patricia, Margaretha, Naib, and Eli are all dancing around Vera and Martha. Martha breaks the kiss and just looks down embarrassingly, her face turning as red as a tomato. Vera giggles, catching Martha and everyone else off guard. "So, this is the 'help' you wanted from them?" Vera looks at Martha with a smile plastered on her face. "W-Well, um I was asking for help, b-but I never thought this," she points at the mistletoe, "would be the 'help' I needed." Vera pats Martha's shoulder, "Aw, that's alright dear, besides I knew they were spying from the start."
Martha was shocked, hearing those words coming out from Vera's mouth. "Besides, they promise me the footage and photos of you. So, I couldn't help but accept their offer." Martha covers her face with her hands, embarrassed by her girlfriend and friends. They all had their laughs and accompanied them both back to Vera's apartment. Vera takes off her shoes, alongside Martha as they stepped into the dark apartment. "Stay." Vera looks at Martha longingly. "I can't. You got your photoshoots tomorrow and well probably an interview--" "No, I'm free tomorrow." Martha looks at Vera, surprised.
"You've got to be joking me."
"Hmmm, as much as I love to, I'm not." Martha smiles and engulfs Vera in a hug.
Perfect, too perfect to be true.