What exactly is going on here?

Treyton had a reputation for going for the jugular when faced with adverse situations. He could usually detect who was telling the truth, and who was lying, who was being honest with him, and who was not.
So why was this time different? Why couldn't he get results?
Because your intelligence is being clouded by the thoughts of a beautiful, still mysterious woman!

Treyton made a clean dive in his swimming pool, trying to wash his thoughts just as clearly.
But his mind was still boggled.
I've never done this before! Why now?
Why am I letting a woman play with my senses..so strongly, that I'm having trouble concentrating on what might be right in front of my face?

Treyton swam a few more brisk laps, more to tire himself out than anything.
Because the other option was to lie awake and think about one woman, who had suddenly obtained the power to keep him restless.
What was it about her? She was beautiful, yes..but he had known his share of beautiful women..
She was smart..not such a common quality in the women he knew..they had all been interested in being seen with Treyton Elrod, the millionaire..who was a bachelor to boot..and maybe lead him to the altar..

Like Marissa..she had tried her best..and she had been smart too..running a very profitable business..
So does Erisha..not just anyone can run an antiques business..it was an expensive affair..

Treyton climbed out of the pool, water sluicing down his well toned body, as he reached for a towel to dry his hair.
The cool night air touched his skin, but he seemed unaware of it, as he threw the towel on a chair, and picked up a can of chilled beer from the table.
Opening it, he swung it down his throat in one go.
Still holding the can, he moved to the railing, hoping for the view to calm his thoughts.
She's obviously with Huber..but then what about the fire that erupts when our lips meet? What about the moans I hear from her throat, when I touch her body?
Why is she messing my head?
Is it only because she's out of reach?
Do I want her, because she belongs to my rival? To take her away from him? Do I really need such a complication to interfere in my professional life?
Verdammt!
Treyton squeezed the beer can, crushing it with his bare hand.
That only served to satisfy his destructive instinct, not his inability to understand what was going on with him.

'I don't need a woman that bad, that I let my business suffer!'
He said loudly, with determination, although no one was there to hear him.
As if he was trying to convince himself.
'I can and I will! I'm Treyton Elrod!'

He threw the can in the dustbin, before walking back inside, with renewed energy, not yet knowing that it was easier said than done.

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

Erisha disconnected the call, and almost threw her phone on her desk.
What does he think of himself? Ordering me about, as if I'm his..
Erisha rubbed a hand over her forehead.
Why stop the thought?
You know what you are, Erisha! A puppet on a string! To be maneuvered this way or that!
All because of....
She stopped the thought before it began to penetrate her brain. And she had done such a good job in pushing it out of her mind. She couldn't become weak now..

'Excuse me! How much is this for?'

Erisha quickly hurried over to the customer inquiring, trying to control her thoughts.
But as she rang in the customer's purchase, and became free once again, her mind went back to the matter at hand.

She knew what she had to do was not to her liking..because being around Treyton Elrod..
He makes me feel things..things I'm not ready to acknowledge..
Surely, it's just attraction...I don't even like his type..

Her phone beeped.
It was a message sharing Treyton's cell number.
Sighing, she saved the number, and sat there wondering how to begin..

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

Having decided not to let Erisha invade his thoughts, or take up all his time, Treyton threw himself in his work.
The new project in the offing was his main goal.
He couldn't let Huber win.
He had been duped for the first, and the last time!

Treyton kept his cards close to his chest this time, only Irma knowing anything about it for now.
The more people knew, the more it would be public knowledge. As it was, he had the edge over getting the project, because he knew the CEO of that company personally.

On the investigative front, atleast thirty of the names shortlisted, had been innocent. The remaining ten were being scrutinised, and Treyton couldn't wait for the results.

A few days later, Laura arrived at the office, with her new ideas, which they had discussed over dinner the other night.

'These are brilliant! As usual!'
Treyton complimented her, as he looked through her well organised presentation and blueprints.

'Thankyou! I'm glad you liked them. I can't wait to get started..'
She said, with an excitement, that showed how much she loved her work.
She looked at her watch.
'I'm sure you are busy, I'll just take my leave.'

'Do you have to be somewhere?'
Treyton glanced at his watch too.
'Because it's almost lunch time. And I didn't even have breakfast today. How about it?'

'Hmm..I also missed breakfast. Had a meeting early, so just rushed off. But I have to be back at my office soon. Some important clients are arriving from London.'

'That's great! But, we can just go to that bistro across the road. Have heard great things about their food..'
He remembered Erisha telling him so. He dropped the thought just as quickly.
'And it's close by..'
He shrugged.

'Yeah, sure! I can manage that!'

Treyton told Irma he was going out, and they both rode the elevator down to the ground floor.
He waved off his driver, who arrived immediately to bring the car around, telling him to come to the cafè when he called him.
Laura and Treyton crossed the road, and soon found a table outside, since it was a pleasant day.

They ordered quickly, and by the time their food arrived, the bistro was almost packed.

This wasn't a business meal, so they discussed everything but work.
Laura loved her husband Patrick, and was really proud of his achievements. He had recently become incharge of his department, and she couldn't stop talking about him.
Treyton indulged her, not knowing how it was to love someone so much, that you weren't jealous of your partner's success. Because Laura was definitely more successful, but Patrick also always spoke highly of his wife as well.
A twinge of envy passed through him, at their relationship, but he shoved it away.
He had no need for such a sentiment in his life. He was happy as he was.
Yeah, right! Which is why you still can't stop thinking about one Indian woman..
Stop it, Treyton! We have been through this already! You don't need such a distraction in your life!

'So, as soon as his leave gets approved, we are taking a trip to Paris..'
Treyton realised Laura was still speaking, and he mentally shook his head.

'That's great! A nice place to get away..'
Treyton smiled, nodding, as he finished his meal.

'Yes! I just can't wait!'
She put a hand on his, in her excitement.
'Paris! It will be so romantic..'

Treyton looked up, as Laura suddenly stopped speaking, and saw her looking at something behind him.
He turned his head to see, and was stunned to see Erisha, standing there, looking at him with what seemed like accusing eyes.
He frowned, until he realised that she had probably heard Laura's statement, and added two and two to make five.

Erisha had seen Treyton from where she had been eating inside the cafè.
She realised that this was a great chance to do what she had to, and she had quickly eaten, hoping to catch him before he left.

But she hadn't realised he was with someone, not having seen the other person, till she was outside, and near his table.
As soon as she saw the woman with him, she stopped in her tracks.
It's her! The woman from the other night!
Who is she? His new girlfriend?
So all that talk about thinking about their kiss, inviting her for dinner..it had all been a sham..
She stopped the thought.
Why do I even care?
She almost turned away, before David's words rang in her ears, and she had to stop.
This is your chance, Erisha! If not now, then you will have to call him..and that will just make me sound so..as if I'm dying to be with him..
No! Come on! Go talk to him, atleast..

Calling herself all kinds of a fool, she walked up to their table, in time to hear the woman talking about going to Paris with him..on a romantic getaway. And turning around was not left as an option, as the woman saw her, and stopped speaking.
As she had expected, Treyton turned to see, and his eyes focused.

But she was stupefied, when instead of acknowledging her,  he stiffened, and turned right back around to his companion.

'Laura! Would you like anything else?'

Laura, who had been watching this exchange, was a bit surprised at Treyton's reaction. She had thought he had been attracted to the woman.
'No, I don't want anything!'
She lowered her tone.
'Isn't this the same woman from the restaurant the other night?'
She continued, as Treyton gave a brisk nod.
'Why are you ignoring her then?'

Treyton called the waiter for their cheque, ignoring Laura's query.
But he could sense Erisha still standing behind him, and kept his face averted.

'Treyton, I'm asking..'
Laura began.

'Excuse me! Hi, Treyton! Can I talk to you for a minute?'

Treyton's head snapped to his left, as he heard, then saw Erisha come and stand next to him.
Even Laura looked a bit shocked.
'As you can see, I'm busy right now..'
His tone was cold, surprising both the women.

'I won't take up much of your time..just a minute..'
Erisha looked at the woman, as if expecting her to create a fuss.

But Laura was privately enjoying the exchange, although she wouldn't ever say it out loud.
'It's alright, Treyton! Go ahead and talk..I have to get back to my office, anyways..'
She made to stand, and Treyton did too.

'I'll call the car..'

'I'm not a child! I can cross the road by myself!'
She chuckled a bit.
'You can stay and talk..thankyou for the lunch..I'll talk to you later..'
Her tone suggested that she would really like to know what this was all about.

Treyton rolled his eyes, and watched her leave, before turning back to Erisha, who had been waiting patiently all this time.
'So! What is so important that you had to disturb me in the middle of something?'

Erisha was taken aback at his tone and his words, and she blinked.
'Uhm..I..I don't think this is a good idea, after all..'
She turned, and began walking away.

Treyton saw red.
How dare she?
He went after her, and taking her by the arm, swung her back to face him, a bit forcefully.
'What do you think of yourself? You pull this stunt, and then have the audacity to walk away! No one gets away with that with Treyton Elrod!'
He was angry, but more at himself.
Because all his plans of staying away from her had seemed to jump out the window, as soon as he had seen her standing behind him in that yellow dress, with a printed scarf tied around her waist, like a belt. She looked beautiful, and he had wanted her with an intensity, that had only increased in trying to avoid her.

'I..just..'
Her voice was low, and he saw an expression like regret pass over her features, before she straightened up, and removed his hand from her arm.
'I saw you and came to say..'
She paused, and Treyton waited.

'What? What was so important..'

'I..I wanted to..'

Treyton rolled his eyes in exasperation.
'Erisha! If you have something to say, say it, because I, as you know, am a busy man, who likes to use his time to make more and more money..'
He paused when he saw her flush at these words that she had thrown at him last time they had been together.
'So, I have to go..'
He waited another minute, in which she looked undecisive as to what to say, and then moved back.
He turned around to leave and had taken just a couple of steps, when she spoke, stopping him in his tracks.

'Will you go out with me? Tonight?'

To be continued..