I was going to propose to my beloved woman, Karen. My folks liked her, and the feeling was mutual. So, I picked our favorite restaurant and asked her on this special date.

The ambiance was perfect. The dim lighting, soft music, and the aroma of exquisite cuisine set the stage for what was supposed to be the happiest night of our lives. I had the engagement ring in my pocket, and my heart raced with anticipation. The waiter brought us two glasses of wine. I had to leave Karen for a moment and went outside to check if everything was good with my car. When I returned, this waiter walked by and accidentally dropped the tray on the floor near my leg.

Luckily, nobody except us noticed it over the music. As the waiter bent to pick it up, I saw him slip a piece of paper into my pocket, then he looked into my eyes with fear. ‘What the hell?!’ That’s what I thought.

I understood that this man was trying to be discreet, so I played along, opening the note under the table. I was shocked. It said, “Don’t drink the wine! The police are on their way!”

My mind raced as I tried to process the message. I glanced at Karen, who was blissfully unaware, chatting about our plans for the future. I had to act fast without alarming her.

I leaned in and whispered to Karen, “I think we should skip the wine tonight. Let’s just stick to water, okay?”

She looked puzzled but shrugged it off. “Sure, whatever you want.”

The waiter returned to our table, visibly anxious. “Is everything alright, sir?” he asked, his voice barely audible.

I nodded subtly and replied, “Yes, everything’s fine. Just bring us some water, please.”

As he walked away, I noticed him exchange a quick, nervous glance with another staff member. Something was definitely off. I decided to keep Karen distracted with small talk while I kept an eye on our surroundings.

Minutes felt like hours. Finally, I saw two uniformed police officers enter the restaurant. They moved quickly but quietly, scanning the room. One of them caught my eye and gave a slight nod.

The waiter returned with our water, his hands trembling. “Thank you,” I said, giving him a reassuring look. “Everything will be alright.”

Suddenly, the officers approached our table. “Excuse me, sir, ma’am,” one of them said, flashing his badge. “We need to speak with you both.”
Karen’s eyes widened in confusion and fear. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“Please, come with us,” the officer insisted. “It’s for your safety.”

We followed them to a private area of the restaurant. Once we were alone, the officer explained, “We received a tip-off about a potential poisoning attempt here tonight. It appears someone tampered with your drinks.”

Karen gasped, and I held her close, my mind reeling. “But who would want to harm us?” I asked.

The officer sighed. “We have reason to believe it was someone who knew your plans and your routine. We’re investigating further, but for now, you’re both safe.”

I looked at Karen, who was trembling in my arms. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “This was supposed to be a special night.”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “It’s okay. We’re safe, and that’s what matters.”

The officers escorted us out of the restaurant and advised us to stay somewhere safe for the night. As we walked to my car, I felt a mix of relief and lingering fear. Who could have done this?

We decided to stay at a nearby hotel. In the quiet of our room, I held Karen close, grateful that we were both unharmed. The ring in my pocket felt heavier than ever. I hadn’t planned to propose like this, but life rarely goes according to plan.

“Karen,” I said, pulling away slightly to look into her eyes. “I love you more than anything. Tonight showed me just how much I can’t live without you. Will you marry me?”

She smiled through her tears and nodded. “Yes, of course, I will.”

Despite the fear and confusion, our love had prevailed. We didn’t know who had tried to harm us or why, but we knew we could face anything together. And that was all that mattered.