4.An Unknown Encounter

4. AN UNKNOWN ENCOUNTER

"It's plain," Evelyn stated bluntly, her expression devoid of interest as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger absentmindedly.

Billy's frustration flared, evident in the furrow of his brow and the slight clench of his jaw. "How can you call it plain?!"

"So, let me get this straight," Annie interjected, her brow furrowed in contemplation as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. "You fell in love with a woman whose face you don't even remember?"

"And you have no clues to find her," Evelyn added, a smirk playing on her lips as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with an air of skepticism.

Billy tried to justify his feelings, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "The hospital staff said she gave me blood, and I know her last name."

"But 'Anderson' is such a common last name," Austin pointed out, his tone tinged with rationality as he leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the table. "Finding her with just that information is like finding a needle in a haystack."

But Billy refused to give up hope, his eyes alight with determination as he leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sure I'll meet her again. It's fate."

Evelyn couldn't help but tease, a playful glint in her eye as she leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. "Do you know how many girls have asked me to introduce them to you at university? Maybe you should consider someone else."

"I'm not interested in anyone else," Billy replied, his voice firm and resolute as he leaned back in his chair, his hands gripping the edge of the table tightly. "The only girl I love is Miss Anderson."

Austin sighed in disappointment, his shoulders sagging slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting towards the ceiling. "I don't know how many times he's said he wants Miss Anderson. I'm tired of it."

Annie suddenly spoke up, a spark of curiosity in her eyes as she leaned forward, her hands clasped together on the table. "What about the hospital footage from that day? Can't we find any CCTV footage of the woman?"

"Oh, I forgot about that possibility!" Evelyn exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her voice as she leaned forward, her eyes bright with anticipation.

Billy's disappointment was palpable, his shoulders slumping slightly as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting towards the floor. "Most of the cameras were under maintenance on that day, and we can't find any footage with her face."

Annie and Evelyn couldn't help but laugh, the sound filling the air with a sense of camaraderie as they leaned back in their chairs, their laughter mingling with the ambient noise of the restaurant. "You're still determined to find that girl, huh? You're hopeless," Evelyn said between giggles.

After a few minutes of chatting, Austin glanced at his analog wristwatch, noting the time: 8:30 pm. "Guys, it's already late. We should head home," he reminded them, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.

Evelyn checked the time as well and realized it was late, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Oh no, I'll miss the premiere episode of the new anime," she lamented, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"Ugh, the anime nerd strikes again," Billy teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.

"It's better than your delusional girlfriend," Evelyn shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm as she leaned forward, a smirk playing on her lips.

Their banter attracted the attention of other customers in the restaurant, their eyes flickering towards the group with varying degrees of curiosity and amusement.

"Guys, stop this nonsense," Annie interrupted their playful argument, her voice calm and composed as she leaned forward, her hands resting on the table.

Afterward, Evelyn paid the bill, and they began strolling through the crowded streets, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with the ambient noise of the city.

"Why are you two following us?" Evelyn asked Billy and Austin, who were walking behind her and Annie, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"Just to make sure you both get home safely," Billy replied with a warm smile, his eyes flickering with concern.

"I don't need any bodyguards," Evelyn replied, her tone defiant as she tossed her hair over her shoulder, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"Aunty asked us to make sure you get home safely, and Annie's house is on the way," Austin added, his voice calm and reassuring as he fell into step beside Billy.

"MOM," Evelyn sighed, her voice tinged with exasperation as she shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Did you guys enjoy your vacation in our hometown? I'm sure Auntie was happy to have you around," Annie asked them, her voice warm and friendly as she glanced back at them, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

"Yeah, she insisted we stay longer when we were about to leave," Austin replied, his voice tinged with affection as he recalled their time spent with his mother.

As they walked and talked, a group of girls in their mid-twenties passed by in the opposite direction, their laughter filling the air with a sense of vitality and energy.

"So, Amy, are you starting your lectures tomorrow?" one of the girls asked, her voice tinged with excitement as she glanced back at her friends, her eyes bright with anticipation.

"Yeah, I'm super excited about it," another girl replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she fell into step beside her friend, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Billy paused for a moment upon hearing her voice, a sense of familiarity washing over him as he glanced back at the girls, his eyes searching their faces for any sign of recognition, but they had already disappeared into the crowd, leaving him with nothing but a lingering sense of curiosity and longing.

Austin noticed Billy had stopped walking and turned back to see him staring at their surroundings,confusion etched on his features. "What happened?" Austin asked, his voice filled with concern as he turned to face Billy.

Billy snapped out of his thoughts, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks as he shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing. Just got lost in my mind for a moment," he replied, his tone casual as he forced a small smile.