Work Text:
"Are You done?", Karl asked.
Vera smiled.
"Not yet, Karl. One more hour. Just one more. Then, I'll be free."
Karl nodded as he stood up from his seat at the dining table and went to the kitchen. He no longer worked as a host for Elite Tag. Mr Tag or Vera's ex boyfriend was mad and threatened Karl that he would destroy him if he left his job. But, Karl didn't care at all. All he cared about was the woman whom he had fallen in love with on the show, Vera. When he saw her for the first time, he knew that she was the one. Thanks to Vera, Mr Tag was arrested for harassment and attempt to murder as Vera had found a lot of evidences hidden in his office. In no time after the show ended, Mr Tag was behind the bars and Vera and Karl started dating and lived together. It's been 3 years now since the show ended. They're very happy with each other. And love each other very much. But, unfortunately recently they've been having a lot of fights with one another because of time. Vera has been spending time building her career as a social media celebrity. Whereas, Karl stays at home while also doing his job as an assistant director of an upcoming film.
Both of them aren't getting any moment to spend time with each other as they work on most weekends as well. Now, they feel exhausted. Angry. Sad. And everything at once. Life hasn't really been going well. Vera looked at Karl as he went to his room and sighed deeply. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
No. Karl wouldn't use her like her ex did. Karl wouldn't leave her at her worst. And, he wouldn't leave now. Even when they
can't seem to spend any time together.
"Vera, please talk to me. We can fix this.", Karl said with pleading eyes. Vera got up in frustration and went into the kitchen, cursing under her breath. She took out a soda from the fridge and finished in one sip. She wiped her mouth and narrowed her eyes at Karl, who seemed worried.
"What do you wanna talk about? Karl?", she asked in an angry tone. This wasn't her. She never talked to him in anger but today she couldn't take it anymore. Karl took a step towards her, eyes full of fear and care for her. After all, he loved her the same.
"I want to talk about you. I want to know what is bothering so much that you're coming home late at night drunk and in a mess."
She eyed him. Who was he? Who was he to tell her how she should be living her life? Who was he to say that she came home late in a mess? Who the hell was he??
"Karl. I'm not the problem. You're."
His eyes widened, but she continued.
"All my friends from the show got married and have already started a family. My old friends are either getting married, already are or have a family by now. And us? You've been telling me to wait for the right moment for us to get married even though you've put an engagement ring on my finger for 5 months already? And your "perfect time" isn't here yet? You're doing your job and you're not giving me time at all and are asking me to give you time now that I've an incredible social media career? Are you forgetting who you were? You were a host. Just. A. Host. We did things together I agree. But, a host shouldn't be asking his wife to be or fiancée questions or should be telling her that she should make time for him. I gave you time. But, once you got an amazing job opportunity, you got so lost in it that you forgot about me at all."
Vera covers her mouth as she cries.
But, suddenly she remembers her words and also remembers what she just called him. "Just a host".
She looks at him and sees Karl in anger. For the first time in their relationship. He storms out of the apartment with a crying Vera behind him begging him to stop and forgive her. Vera goes back to her room and cries. God, what the he'll was wrong with her? Did she hate being with him? Or did she hate being so rude to him? All she knew before she fell asleep was she hated herself so much for hurting Karl.
The man who stood up for her when nobody did. And, she hurt him very much.
Karl was staring at the wall in his room. He was in his old home where he lived before he moved in with Vera. And, he was drinking. He closed his eyes. And, Vera's words echoed loudly in his ears. She called him a host. Yes. He was a host for the show and Vera was a contestant. If it weren't for the show, they would've never ever met. And, he would've never been so proud and happy to have Vera in his life. A woman whom he loved and cared for. But, she just hurt him. Then, he realised the actual meaning of her words. Time. Vera wanted to spend time with him. She wanted to marry him. And he just hadn't done it yet as he had been busy with his career. He just put a ring in her finger and God knows when or whether they'll actually get married or not. Karl covered his face with his hands as he cried.
"I'm sorry Vera. I'm so sorry."
The next day, Vera woke up and felt exhausted. Sleeping after crying wasn't a good idea. But, she felt guilty. She felt worse that she had hurt Karl. Karl who understood her and stood up for her when she needed it the most. She went outside of her room and was surprised. The house was clean. Last Night, she was so mad at herself that she had thrown things here and there. But, now all of it was gone. She blinked as she saw a man approaching her with a smile. It was Karl.
"I'm so so sorry for hurting you Karl. I crossed the line."
"That You did. But, I understand."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I know we both are busy with our careers and haven't made time for each other but I want to change that. So, from now on no more working during the weekends. And..,
"And?"
"And, I'm sorry for not understanding you. All you want is to start a new life with me. And, I failed to understand that. So, Vera. Will you marry me?
"Yes. Yes. A thousand times Yes I'll marry you. But what about the preparations?"
"I know you're already wearing the ring but I've made all the arrangements and called our friends and family."
A crying Vera hugged him and he spinned her in a circle whispering in her ear,
"By tonight you'll be mine and I'll be yours. Husband and wife."
"I can't wait."
They pulled away and left the apartment for their wedding preparations. Vera was over the moon as he fiancée held her hand all the way. Just the thought of knowing that she would be his wife in less than 24 hours, made her so happy. Marrying him will make her the happiest woman in the world. And, she couldn't wait for it.
One Date changed their lives forever.
And, they couldn't be more grateful for it.
The End.