Chapter 495 You Lost, You Have to Listen to Me
Zach was a surgeon by profession, and his demeanor and daily habits were far removed from the fierce and aggressive nature of Taekwondo.
However, in pursuit of fitness, Zach had privately trained in Taekwondo and other exercise routines. He approached these activities with the goal of staying active, never intending to reach a high level of proficiency.
After changing into their Taekwondo uniforms, Zach and Ophelia emerged from their respective dressing rooms and faced each other.
Zach was taken aback. Ophelia, who had shed her princess dress, seemed like a different person. The Taekwondo uniform brought out a lively and playful side of her, freeing her from the constraints of her long dress and revealing her vibrant and enthusiastic personality.
Her long, wavy hair was tied into a neat ponytail, exposing her round forehead. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and mischief as she looked at the man in front of her.
She chuckled.
"Dr. Zach, you look a bit out of place in that outfit. It doesn't seem to suit you. But I bet you look great in a lab coat, don't you?"
Zach smiled politely, maintaining his usual courteous distance, "Miss Montague, we're here to spar, not to chat."
"Straight to the point! I didn't expect the refined Dr. Zach to have this side to him. Let's get started then!"
They assumed their stances, quietly facing off in the dojo. Both dressed in white, their eyes locked on each other, barefoot on the floor, slowly circling one another.
Ophelia smiled provocatively, "Dr. Carter, remember our agreement. If I win, you follow my arrangements. If you win, tonight's date is off. You haven't forgotten, right?"
Zach glanced at her calmly, "Of course not. I hope Miss Montague will keep her word."
"Very well, I hope you won't regret it later."
"I won't."
With the preliminaries out of the way, they began their first round of sparring. Zach's tall and lean figure seemed to give him an advantage, but as they fought, he realized that this seemingly delicate woman had strength beyond his expectations!
"Wham!"
Ophelia executed a perfect shoulder throw, sending Zach crashing to the ground!
The move was so swift and clean that Zach had no chance to counter.
Zach landed on his back, pushed himself up, and adjusted his stance. "I underestimated you, Miss Montague. You're quite formidable."
Ophelia casually shook her hand, her fair face showing no signs of sweat, but her smile was radiant. "Dr. Carter, you're not bad either. You lasted through several moves before going down. You have two more chances. Don't hold back, give it your all!"
Her confident challenge was a playful jab at Zach's pride. He clenched his fists. "Since Miss Montague is so skilled, I won't hold back."
Ophelia smirked, her collarbone and neck forming a graceful curve, her slender frame looking as if she could be lifted with one hand.
"Zach, don't talk so big. Whether you can beat me is still uncertain."
With that, they began their second round.
"Wham!"
After several exchanges, Zach was once again thrown heavily to the ground! The move was as smooth and swift as before, leaving Zach no room to counter.
Zach stood up, straightened his clothes, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I've lost two out of three rounds. I concede. There's no need for a third round."
Zach had recognized her skill and knew continuing would only result in further defeat. As a man, winning one round in such a bet would be an insult to his dignity.
So he chose to admit defeat, acknowledging her superior skill.
Ophelia graciously accepted his concession, shaking her hand, "Fair enough! I'm tired too!"
Zach frowned, scrutinizing the woman before him. His family had said she was a wealthy heiress, but her skills and the calluses on her palms suggested otherwise. Was she really a lady of high society?
"Miss Montague, what is your true identity? Since we've decided to be honest, I hope you'll tell me the truth."
Ophelia drank half a bottle of water, wiped the sweat from her face and neck, and pulled out her ID from her bag, tossing it to Zach.
Zach opened the ID and realized how foolish it was to spar with her. The ID clearly stated that Ophelia was a police officer.
She was a cop!
Zach couldn't believe his family had set him up with a police officer for a date!
Seeing his confusion, Ophelia explained, "I joined the police academy against my parents' wishes. I've been in Averlake for the past few years, not studying business management but training at the police academy. They don't know my real profession. I finally found a job in Aucester, but my parents wouldn't let me come here unless I agreed to this date."
Ophelia shrugged, admitting that the date was not her choice, "So Zach, to stay in Aucester and pursue my career, I need to establish a stable and lasting relationship that reassures my parents."
Zach's brows furrowed deeply, his refined and reserved eyes filled with confusion, "A stable and lasting relationship?"
Such a relationship was legally known as marriage, right?
Ophelia laughed again, "You want to get married? You're thinking too far ahead. I just graduated from the police academy less than six months ago. I'm focused on my career right now, so I'm not considering marriage."
"And you, I don't think you're planning to get married anytime soon either. You're dealing with family pressure to settle down, just like me. So, being partners is the best solution. I won't interfere with your life or freedom, but you must be there when I need you and support my act."
"Also, since we're both adults, there might be times when we have certain needs, so..."
At this point, Zach couldn't stay calm. "Miss Montague, I lost the match, so I'll comply with your conditions, but I can't agree to that."
Zach's world wasn't that open. He would never have a relationship with a stranger!
Thinking about it, Zach hadn't even been with a woman before. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Ophelia laughed for the third time that night, "Zach, you're overthinking! I mean, if you have needs during our relationship, you can find someone else, but not me."
Zach sighed in relief, "Don't worry."
Ophelia teased him, "Zach, don't tell me you've never been with a woman? Are you still a virgin?"
Zach felt both embarrassed and shy. "That's none of your business!"
"Oh? How is it not? I can teach you, so you won't be clueless when you meet a woman."
"No need!"
Zach was somewhat helpless with Ophelia's bold conversation, but did he dislike it? Thinking about it, he didn't seem to feel any aversion.
It was a complex emotion.
After changing back into their clothes, Zach realized he had entered into a contractual relationship with Ophelia, feeling somewhat depressed.
"Miss Montague, can you give me your wallet now?"
Ophelia, now back in her long dress, no longer had the same appealing look. Instead, she exuded a strong, rebellious aura.
"What's the rush? It's late. Shouldn't you treat me to dinner? After all, it's the day we officially established our relationship. We should celebrate, right?"
Dinner?
Zach suddenly remembered that Brooklyn had arranged for someone to wait at the restaurant. An hour had passed, and he wondered what was happening inside.
Zach quickly called Brooklyn, but the phone was off.
Thinking that Brooklyn must have gone to bed early due to his health, Zach said, "Dinner is fine. Let's go back to the restaurant."
"No problem!"
Zach felt uneasy. He didn't know who the person was, but leaving them waiting was inappropriate.
But Zach's worry was unnecessary.
Arabella drove to the restaurant and saw that the parking lot was full. She turned to a nearby paid parking lot, parked, and tidied herself up, applying a glossy lip color. Once she was sure she looked perfect, she walked steadily to the restaurant.
The agreed-upon time had arrived. To surprise Zach, Arabella quietly bypassed the glass door. The restaurant's music was soft and dreamy, and there were a few scattered diners. She could see everyone at a glance.
But Zach was nowhere to be seen.
That wasn't right. He should have arrived earlier. She had missed a traffic light, but not by that much. Was he not here yet, or had he changed locations?
She checked the time and looked around again—still no sign of Zach.
Frustrated, Arabella found a spot where she could observe the entrance and sat down. She didn't dare order anything, so she kept flipping through the menu.
As she looked at the menu for the umpteenth time, the light in front of her suddenly dimmed. A tall figure stood in the doorway, blocking the light from the floor lamp, casting a shadow that heightened her anticipation.
Her heart leaped with joy. Arabella put down the menu and looked up, her lips curling into a sweet smile, "Z..."
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