UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Unforeseen Detours

-Adam-

The sun is shining brilliantly on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, and here I am, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of a lively bar. The chatter of strangers, the clinking of glasses, and the enticing aroma of delicious food fill the air-it's the perfect setting for relaxation and good company and yet I feel out of place.

What am I even doing here? The fact that I deliberately came here rather than remaining in my apartment, following Mathew's suggestion, is unbelievable. I mean, come on, ladies have been attempting to get my attention here like crazy. Their efforts, as far as anyone can tell, have been fruitless. If I'm not actively disengaging from what they're saying, then I definitely not paying attention.

Lately, I have been having some free time on my hands, and I can't seem to know what to do with it. Instead, I made my way to this club, only for it to end up being a complete waste of time.

Well, surely this club is full of beautiful women, but none of them intrigue me. Sighing, I retrieved my phone from my pocket and dialled a familiar number.

I listen to it ring. As soon as the call was answered, I shouted out.

"Blackson, my man. What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm just home with my wife and kids. 'Where are you?' There seems to be a lot of noise from where you're calling."

"I am at a club, trying to occupy my free time. Anyway, how is the family?"

"They are doing fine. Margaret says hello, but please tell me. I am certain you are in a club filled with women. Why are you calling me when you should be conversing with some ladies in the club?"

"I am completely uninterested in any of them, and I am literally dying of boredom right now. May I inquire if you had the opportunity to meet with Miss Dickson during the clinic earlier this week?"

"Ben, I don't know what it is about Miss Dickson that keeps popping into your head. Maybe it's because you've had a taste of her and just can't get enough."

I pulled the phone away from my ears and stared at it for a moment. What the hell is he talking about? "Would you kindly inform me of her condition or something? And stop making wild assumptions."

At long last, he broke his silence and admitted to seeing her. "As always, she goes about her business unaffected," he says.

As I listen to my friend speak, my eyes go to the woman across the bar.

I recognise that woman but I can't remember where I last saw her. At that very moment, I see the inebriated woman brazenly try to shove away the man standing next to her at the bar. It was clear she was uncomfortable in his presence.

Obviously, I don't understand why I failed to see her earlier. That is the lady Shelley, as well as her family, dined with. Is she intoxicated? And why is she here?

"Would it be okay if I called you later, Gideon?" I ended the conversation and placed another call, this time to Shelley. While the phone rings, I listen.

A woman's voice greetingly states...

"Hello!"

"Hello Shelley, How are you doing? It's Adam."

"I know who this is. I am fine. How may I help you?"

What the fuck is going on with this woman? I pondered. Regardless of my existence, she responds indifferently.

"'Thanks for asking; I'm also good.' Listen, I've seen a drunken woman at this pub, and I swear to God, she looks just like the one you introduced me to that night at the table with your parents."