1 The one that got away

She had literally barged in his life like she owned him, and she left like she never came.

Leaving the two men dumbfounded.

"She sure is something." Robert commented when the door closed shut. William just stood there, seeing her walk away he felt something nip his chest. And he wondered, how she had that effect on him.

They exchanged merely a few words to each other, so what was wrong with him?

"You alright, mate?" Robert asked, a hint of concern at his bestfriend's expression. He looked troubled, like he was debating himself.

"Yea--I just need to--" William started, heading for the door. He jogged hoping he'll catch up to her, and then what?

Ask her name, that's a start.

He quickly scanned the restaurant for the Asian woman, only to see her right outside. He walked out immediately hoping to catch up to her. But luck was not in his side. The second he stepped through the front door, she stepped inside the cab, driving away moments later.

He wanted to shout something, call out maybe, to catch her attention. But why would he? She was just a woman. Yet, why did it felt like he knew her? Why did it felt like he just lost something very important?

"Will?" Robert caught his attention, he had been a step behind his bestfriend from the start.

William turned, and his friend's expression surprised him, it was sadness. Why was he sad? And it hit him, his friend was simply mirroring his face.

"Are you alright?" Robert added.

"I--" William started, he wanted to say: 'I didn't get her name.'

Something he felt as though was very important but that would sound ridiculous, yet it was the truth.

Robert nodded in understanding, gave him a reassuring pat on the back, and said, "Let's try the Restaurant, if we're lucky they might just give us a name."

William nodded, and the two walked back inside the restaurant.

"You sure you're alright?" Robert asked an hour later, looking at him from the rearview mirror. William sitting on the backseat. They had finished dinner together, and Robert was going to drop him at his flat.

Francine a tall, skinny brunnette, Robert's fiance was sitting beside him while he drove them home. They failed to get the name of the Asian woman, the management refusing to give information of their customers. Completely understandable. As celebrities, the need for privacy is something they can fully comprehend.

"It's bonkers, I know. But, I just feel like--I missed something very important." Will said in hushed tone. Robert nodded, knowing full well how he felt, his gaze resting on Francine; the love of his life.

The woman remained quiet, just listening, not really knowing what to say. She had realized something had happened when the two returned from the loo with somber expressions.

"Problem?" she had asked, as the two took their seat at the table.

"William probably just met his soulmate." Robert answered, leaning to whisper to her.

And she responded in surprise and enthusiasm, "Ooh, then why do you two look so sad?" she asked.

"Because she left before he could even ask her name." Robert explained, and Francine pouted looking at William and said, "I'm sorry, Will, darling." reaching to pat his hand on the table for a moment.

"Thanks, Fran." William said, smiling at his bestfriend's fiance.

Robert sighed silently as he drove, knew full well it was sincere, whatever it was Will felt. A man, even a brilliant actor at that, Robert reckon cannot 'act' the expression William made as he watched the woman leave. It was filled with so much sorrow, so much regret.

Maybe she really was his soulmate. Maybe, she was the one that got away, Robert thought driving.

"I'm sorry, mate. I swear, if I ever see her again, I will tie her down for you." Robert joked, in attempt to make everyone laugh, especially William. Francine playfully slapped his thigh in response, giggling at his joke. And it worked, Will smiled. "I appreciate that, but maybe try and ask her for tea first before you tie her up." He suggested, going along with his bestfriend's joke.

"Like my granny says, If its meant to be, it will be!" Robert advised, mimicking his grandmothers tone. Will and Francine smiled wider at that, knowing Joan very well. The elder woman was remarkably amusing and witty, she also happened to have a very colorful vocabulary.

"What if its not meant to be?" Will thought outloud. Robert frowned at that,

"You never know, mate. She might just be push you into a cubicle for a different reason next time." Everyone in the car erupted in laughter, recalling what happened in the Men's room.

"I hope so, she intrigues me." Will choose his words carefully. "If you are completely serious about finding her, may I suggest, Twitter?" Robert suggested. William considered it for a moment, then scratched the idea remembering something...or someone.

"Lucas." he breathed out the name, exasperated thinking about the man.

"Oh...your fire breathing Publicist." Robert snorted, he didn't like the man, he was a raging workaholic. But he was undeniably good with his job. Too good perhaps, he must have sold his soul to the devil, Robert thought.

The morning after, William returned from his routine morning jog. He went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a banana. Fishing his mobile from his pocket, he decided to check twitter. One of the people he follows, his bestfriend Robert was trending that morning. Curious he checked his account and found out the reason,

'A close friend of mine is looking for this Asian woman we met at a restaurant in Westminster, tweet me your photo if its really you. Thanks, xx Rob.' had tweeted last night.

William immediately dialed Robert's number, after a third ring he picked up.

"Rob!" he yelled over the phone.

"What?!" Robert feigned confusion, Will rolled his eyes, he could tell he was lying.

"Twitter." he simply said.

"Relax. It's MY twitter. I'll find her for you." Robert assured, treating it as his personal mission in life.

"Your twitter will flood with photos." William warned.

"It matters not, Sir William. I recognize the face." Robert assured.

"We may not find her."

"And what if we will?" Robert replied, his tone challenging. As if saying, 'Are you afraid of finding her?' and it shut William up.

"It's YOUR twitter." He said in defeat. "That's what I said." Robert replied cheekily, grinning on the other line.

Weeks went on and Robert was left with thousands of replies, but none of them the woman he was looking for.

Another couple of weeks and the tweet had feed died down, still nothing. Ziltch. Nada.

"Sorry, mate." Robert apologized, while the two drank in a pub after their shoot. "Its alright, I appreciate the gesture." William replied, taking a gulp of his beer, grateful to have a friend like him at the least.

"Maybe she doesn't have twitter--" Robert frowned at the idea. "That may just be the case or, she just doesn't want to be found." William suggested, sadly.

"C'mon, mate! That's bonkers! You're smashing!" Robert playfully punched his shoulder. "Are you two still hanged up over your asian girl?" Francine, approached the two gentlemen. She pecked William's cheek and gave Robert and chaste kiss on the lips, she came by after work. Producing she always said, was not an easy job. Dealing with diva-like celebrities was the hardest part of the job.

"Yes." Robert answered, playfully pouting up at her. "Aww...poor things." Francine feigned sympathy, giving him a side hug. Robert laid his head on her neck, while Will grinned at the couple's antics. He was happy for them, but at the same time he wished he had one of those too.

Romance.

Love.

"Are you still searching?" Fran asked Will, stealing Robert's shot of whiskey. "Yes and no. I'm hoping, but not necessarily looking for her anymore." Fran nodded.

"What did she look like again?" "Petite, around 150cm, long blackhair, brown eyes, fair skinned. Very pretty." William answered, recalling her face. Brown doe eyes that held confidence and wits, with the ability to see his soul.

"An Enigma" then Francine comments casually. Rob and Will exchanged knowing looks.

"Enigma, sounds good." "It sure does." And that's what the two bestfriends dubbed 'her' of.

"Anyway, I believe you'll see her, I bet on it!" The brunette woman said, giving him a sisterly sidehug.

"Believe her. My future Mrs. Galloway is always right!" Robert vowed, tipsy,