Chasing the Unexpected

Chapter 702

Zayn nodded in understanding and sat across from Valarie, explaining why he had chosen this place. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I apologize for meeting here, Ms. Weir. I usually don’t have time, but I have a horse racing today, so I asked you to meet me here. I hope you don’t mind,” he said.

Valarie looked straight at Zayn. He was tall and casually dressed, sitting in front of her with a commanding presence. While he wasn’t conventionally handsome, he had a pleasant and gentle disposition, which made a good first impression.

“I understand, Mr. Updike. I don’t mind. Let’s get started with the date,” Valarie said.

As soon as she finished speaking, Zayn couldn’t help but laugh.

Noticing the puzzled look on Valarie’s face, he quickly waved his hand.

“Sorry, Ms. Weir. It’s just that the way you said, ‘let’s get started with the date‘, was so serious that it struck me as amusing,” he clarified.

Valarie pressed her lips together and replied, “Mr. Updike, I think we should get straight to the point since this is a blind date. Besides, since you want to watch the races, you probably don’t have much time for this.”

Zayn caught the flash of displeasure in Valarie’s eyes and realized he had been a bit too casual.

He cleared his throat and adopted a serious tone. “Okay, Ms. Weir, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Zayn Updike. I’m 6’1” tall and weigh 75 kg. I graduated from the University of Lanton with a degree in business management. I don’t smoke or drink, and I have no bad habits. I’m healthy-”

Valarie interrupted, feeling a bit overwhelmed, “Mr. Updike, you don’t need to share all that. It’s already in the information I have. You meet my criteria for a date. Just tell me what you expect from a potential partner.”

Zayn thought for a moment and smiled. “Ms. Weir, I’m quite satisfied with you. If you feel the same way about me, I think we can pursue a deeper relationship.”

Caught off guard by his smiling gaze, Valarie frowned. “Mr. Updike, don’t you have any requirements for your future wife?”

Zayn’s smile widened as he replied, “Actually, I initiated this blind date.”

Valarie blinked in surprise, not quite understanding what he meant.

“We met once at a gala, but you may have forgotten. There was a server who tripped and spilled a drink on a guest. You stepped in to help the server out of a tough spot,” Zayn recalled. “I noticed you then. Later, I heard that Mr. Sumner was pursuing you and that you two were in a sort of ambiguous relationship, so I stopped asking about you.”

Zayn added, “Just a few days ago, when my mother arranged for me to go on blind dates, I saw your photo and decided to set this up.”

Valarie frowned, struggling to recall the event. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.”

“It’s okay. I just wondered if you’d like to get to know each other better,” Zayn said.

Valarie hesitated for a moment, then looked Zayn in the eye and shook her head. “Mr. Updike, I don’t think we’re suited for each other.”

Zayn appeared surprised. “May I ask why?”

“Because I don’t sense any genuine interest from you in pursuing a relationship,” Valarie replied.

If she truly meant something to him, he wouldn’t have chosen to meet for their.blind date at a racetrack, and he certainly wouldn’t have made her adjust to his schedule.