Treyton reached the restaurant on time.

He had a business dinner with his architect, and he was always punctual for his meetings.
The maitrè d recognised him immediately, and hurried him over to the table reserved for him.
Treyton saw that his architect had already arrived and was waiting for him.

'Laura..'
Treyton nodded, as she got up to greet him.

'Treyton! Good to see you! Right on time, as usual..'
She smiled at him, as they settled in their seats.

'Same to you! You are never late either..'
Treyton shared a good rapport with his architect.  She was the best in the business, as well as a friend.

The waiter handed them menus, and both quickly decided on their meals, and Treyton ordered the wine.

They always had fruitful discussions, and tonight was no exception.
Soon they were immersed in the technicalities of the interiors for one of Treyton's old projects that he had wanted to renovate.
Treyton believed in moving with the times, and made sure each property he owned, was always spick and span.

They were halfway through their meal, when a movement by the door caught his eye, as someone entered.
As he put the wine glass to his mouth, while turning to look, he almost sputtered inside his glass.
Because the new entries were none other than David Huber, with Erisha on his arm.

He must have stiffened, because he saw Laura stop eating, and look at him.
'Treyton! You alright?'
When Treyton kept looking at a point beyond them, a frown on his face, she turned to look too.
Her eyes focused on David Huber, Treyton's archrival in the business, and she understood immediately.
Huber was a manipulative man, and had once even tried to buy her, to leave Treyton and join his team.
But, Laura was happy working with Treyton, and hadn't appreciated the bribing. She had never told Treyton about it either, not wanting to increase any tension.
Seeing him now, she knew it was bound to raise Treyton's hackles up.
'Earth to Treyton!'
She clinked her glass to his, in order to divert his attention, and he blinked.

'Sorry..what was that?'
He glanced at her, before his gaze again flittered back to Erisha, who was wearing an aquamarine flared skirt, with a matching top, her hair tied back in a ponytail.
How does she look good in anything?
He remembered how he hadn't been able to stop himself from getting her shop's number from the Internet, and calling her earlier. She had been flustered for sure, and he had enjoyed the reaction.
He frowned again.
Yet, she's here with that fool..what does she see in him anyways?

'I don't think you are listening to me..Treyton..'
Laura was speaking.

Treyton saw Erisha order her meal, and put down the menu, as she waited for David to decide.
Her eyes began to roam around the restaurant, and he waited.
Soon enough, her gaze moved past him, and came back, eyes wide, as she saw him.
She quickly glanced back at David, but he was busy in placing his order.
She looked back at him, because he was just looking at her.

'Aah..so it's not the rival you are interested in, but his companion, isn't it?'

Treyton was startled into looking back at Laura.
'What?'

That was when Erisha noticed his dinner partner, and she felt this weird sensation in the pit of her stomach. The woman was beautiful, with raven black hair, tied with a clasp at the nape of her neck. She was dressed in an electric blue ensemble, that worked wonders for her.
The audacity of the man! Calling me and talking indecently, yet here he is with another woman..who the hell does he think he is anyways?

'Erisha, I'll come straight to the point..'
Erisha quickly came out of her thoughts to look at David. She didn't want David to see Treyton.
Why is that?

'I see you are distracted..maybe we should continue our discussion later.'
Laura said to Treyton.

Treyton saw David grab Erisha's hand, and something  twisted inside.
Stop behaving like a jealous kid, Treyton!
He stiffened, and turned back to Laura.
'Hmm? Yeah, sure. Care for a dance?'

Laura was startled, as Treyton pointed to where several couples were dancing to the slow music being played live.
'What?'
She raised her eyebrows, and gave a chuckle.
'Are you sure, it's me you want to dance with?'
They both glanced at the other table, where Erisha was listening intently to something David was saying.

In answer, Treyton stood up, and walked to Laura's side.
'Come on!'
He took Laura's hand, and led her to the dance floor.

'Okay! As long as you are not hitting on me!'
She joked, and Treyton laughed, despite himself.

The sound had Erisha turn to look at the table Treyton had been occupying, but it was empty. She spotted him on the dance floor, swaying to the music, looking down at the woman with him, smiling.

'I won't even try! Your husband will surely come after me with guns running!'
Treyton teased her back, and this time Laura laughed.
Her husband Parker, was a doctor at the local hospital, and knew Treyton well. He took care of the medical needs of Elrod Enterprises' employees.

'Good! As long as you are doing this to make that woman jealous, I'll go along with it..'
She let him twirl her around, as they continued to dance.

'I'm shocked! Why would you think that?'
As he said that, he glanced at Erisha to see her looking at him.
He couldn't read her expression from here.

'Because you haven't taken your eyes off of her, since you saw her. She's beautiful by the way..'

'Yeah..'
Treyton said without thinking, then saw Laura smirk.
'Okay, okay! Fine! Yes, I'm attracted to her..but that's about it..'

'Sure! If you say so..'
Laura danced with him.
'You do realise that she's with  your enemy, right?'

'That's the thing! Don't know what she sees in him..'
Treyton was dancing, but his attention was all on Erisha's table, which was open for view.

'Hmm..maybe she's attracted to that type..'

I definitely know she's attracted to me..no doubt about that!
'Hmm..'
He mumbled, non commitally.

Erisha, on the other hand,  was not so lucky in keeping Treyton's presence a secret.
David saw her attention deficit, and turned to see what she had seen that had her look uncomfortable.
He finally saw Treyton dancing with a woman, but the woman was facing the other way, and he couldn't see who it was.
'Well, well..if isn't the devil himself..'
His tone was anything but joking, and Erisha stiffened slightly.
'Maybe it's a sign..and we have our work cut out for us..'
David picked up his wine, and sipped, while he watched the couple enjoying themselves dancing.
'Maybe we should go and join them..'

'NO!'
She lowered her tone, as David shot her a look.
'I..I mean, let's not! I'm really tired, and I just don't feel like it..'
She made a tired looking face, hoping to divert David from going there.
I don't want to get close to him..he rubs me up the wrong way..

'Okay for now..but you have to remember what I said..'

'But, David! Please..you know I...'
She appealed to him, but he was never one to be refused anything.

'Okay!'
Erisha gave him an incredulous look, as David shrugged.
'You can do what you want..but don't forget, what I can do..'
The underlying threat was enough to get her to react.

'Okay, okay! I'm sorry..I..'
Her shoulders drooped.
'I will try..'

'Try is not good enough! I want you to achieve success..you hear that?'
David's tone brooked no argument, and Erisha nodded.

'I hear you..loud and clear..'

'Good!'
And David went back to eating, considering the matter closed.

Her gaze flickered back involuntarily to the dance floor.
They were laughing at something, before the woman leaned over to say something to him, in his ear.
Trying not to seem interested, Erisha picked at her food, unable to enjoy the meal.
Why should it affect me? He can go and mingle with whoever he wants..what do I care?
That didn't stop her from looking back towards the dance floor.
She was surprised to see Treyton looking at her this time, a gaze piercing enough to raise goosebumps on her arms.
And as she watched, he put a hand on the woman's back, and led her back to the table.

Treyton called to the waiter for their bill, his mind fully on the woman sitting across the room.
Why do I want to walk over there, and drag her away from that man..so far, that he wouldn't be able to find her..

'Thankyou for the dinner!'
He looked at Laura, who was getting ready to leave.
'I'll meet you in your office with the new plans by next week.'

'Yeah, sure!'
Treyton also got up.

'And Treyton..'
Laura said, as they passed by David Huber's table.
'All the best with her!'
She gestured with her neck, and Treyton grinned.

'You are being cheeky tonight, I see..'
Laura laughed, as they exited the restaurant together.

Erisha and David watched them go.
Where David was wondering what Treyton was doing with his architect, whom he recognised straight away, Erisha was busy speculating who the woman was..

'What we discussed is now of utmost importance, Erisha! I need some results..soon!'
David reminded her, as they were on their way to drop Erisha home.

'Alright..'
I just hope I can do it..without doing anything stupid!

***************************

'WHAT?'
Treyton's voice was loud enough for it to reverberate across his office.
'Who the hell is MH?'

'Sir, apparently one of your employees..'

'What does MH stand for?'
Treyton sounded exasperated.

The investigative team had been doing their work, and had just come to report, that indeed Julian Finn's computer had been used for transferring of information to someone named KK at Huber's.

'Sir, we have asked Finn ko get us a list of all employees..'
The detective began, just as there was a knock on the door.

'May I come in, sir?'
Julian Finn entered his office, and Treyton waved him in.
'Sir, there are several names with these initials..I've narrowed them down..'
Julian had been eager to help, ever since Treyton had helped him with his father's surgery.

'Good! How many in total?'

'Forty!'

'Details?'

'Working on them..should have them on your desk by tomorrow..'
Finn nodded, as James spoke.

'I want to get to the bottom of this finally! I do have other things to do!'
Like aquire a beautiful woman in his life..
Treyton felt an excitement at the thought.

'Right, sir!'
The detective and the other men got up to leave.

Treyton called to Finn to stay.
He turned, and came back towards his boss.
'Yes, sir!'

'How's your father?'

'He's doing great, sir! He's back home, and recuperating. Thankyou so much. I don't know how to repay..'

Treyton waved that aside.
'If you want to do anything for me, find me the traitor in my company.'

'I'll do my best!'
Finn turned to go, but Treyton called him again.

'Finn! Did you return your friend's money?'
He said casually.

'Who, Erisha? Yes, I did! She was a bit surprised that I had  returned it so soon..'

'And what did you tell her?'
Treyton leaned back in his chair, wanting to know the reply.
'Did you say where you got the money from?'

'No, sir! You had asked me not to mention it, so I didn't..just made up some excuse..'

'Alright..'

'She did mention you, however..'

'Really?'
Treyton raised an eyebrow at that.

'Yes..she asked, as if shocked..that not your boss, right? He wouldn't know how to be compassionate towards his employees. He just likes to make money..'
He looked sheepish, realising he had blabbered perhaps too much.
'I'm sorry..I shouldn't have said..'

'No, no! That's alright!'
Wow! What an opinion she has of me..
'It seems your friend has a thing against the wealthy..'

'Well, she has had a bad experience..so I guess..'

Treyton's curiosity was more piqued now.
'Are you talking about David Huber?'

'Uhmm..I..'
Finn hesitated, regretting saying more than he had intended.

'Come on! You can tell me! I won't tell..'

'I..I know you won't sir..'
He seemed appalled at the thought.

'Then..you can tell me..'

'Uh..actually..her grandfather..'
He paused, before thinking what to say.

'Her grandfather..the one who she came to Vienna to be with?'

'You know about him?'
Finn's eyes widened, stunned.

'Well..she did mention that he wasn't with her any more..I assumed he died, and she's been left here alone..'

'Died?'
Finn looked puzzled.

'Yes, she spoke of him very remorsefully..'
Treyton said, remembering how sad she had looked on mentioning him.

'But, sir! Her grandfather didn't die! He's very much alive..and lives here, in the city itself!'

To be continued...