'Ow!'
Erisha started, as her finger touched the hot pan on the stove.
She quickly sucked on it, to lessen the sting, mentally scolding herself for not being attentive.
Hurriedly dishing out the prepared pasta onto a plate, she moved to the table, and sat down with her food.

Since the food was really hot, she picked up her phone to check for messages or missed calls.
She saw that there had been none, since when she had checked some ten minutes ago.
What did you expect? Treyton to call you? Or maybe Julian? To tell you that Treyton had come back?

Erisha had been unable to think about anything else, ever since Julian had called her two days ago.
At first, she had assured herself that he would come back just like how he had left, without anyone knowing.
She had even messaged Julian to let her know when he came back. But, so far, there had been no reply.
Then she had lain awake at night, wondering what was it that had caused him to go away somewhere without letting anyone know.
Was it because of me?
She immediately pushed away that thought.
Oh, come on Erisha! You are not that important in his life, that he would be affected by your defensive attitude, and go away somewhere.
But..he's a very prominent personality..he won't just go away without letting anyone know..
However she tried, she couldn't think of anything else.

As she absently wrapped her pasta around a fork to take into her mouth, her thoughts continued playing havoc with her.
Why does it matter so much to me?
She gave a mental shrug.
'It's not like he's my boyfriend or anything..we just went on two dates..'
And what dates they were..we ended up in each other's arms..
'Stop it, Erisha! You are putting way more into that than there really was! He has had his share of more women than probably he himself can remember..you are nothing special..'

She chewed on her food, her mind still wondering about his playing truant from work.
Maybe he needed a break..yeah! That's probably it! A break from his busy schedule..
It can't be anything else!
Mentally shrugging off the thoughts, she resolved to get the man out of her head..for now...

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

The figure was just a shadow, as it moved past the walls of the darkened building.

It was a dark night, only the sound of crickets resounding in the silence, as the figure moved towards the entrance.
The man guarding the door outside had been waiting, and nodded as the figure walked past him to go inside.

Another man greeted the figure there, leading them through the building, till they reached a door at the back.
Opening the door quietly, the man went inside first.
As the figure stood waiting at the doorway, the man went towards the single small light shining near the man tied to a chair near some boxes.
Peering at him carefully, he noticed the crooked neck, heard the deep breathing, and was assured that their victim was out, either unconscious again, or sleeping.

He walked back to where the figure was waiting, and gave a thumbs up sign.
'Lass es so wie es ist! Keep it that way!'
The figure rasped.
'Will tell you what to do next..'

'Yes, boss!'

With that, the figure and the man moved back the way they had come, shutting the door behind them, leaving the unconscious man alone.

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

Treyton came to, feeling as if there was absolutely no energy in his limbs, or body.
He felt dizzy as he tried to keep his head propped up.
How long have I been here?
Even his thoughts were muddled, so that he couldn't think clearly.
Was he being drugged?
But Treyton hadn't eaten anything..just had had a few sips of water, when his captors had taken mercy on him.

His throat felt parched now, and he tried swallowing again and again.
Does no one realise I'm missing?
At work, my assistant?
Erisha?
He paused his thought.
Why would Erisha think of him? She had thrown him out of her home, her life..

Treyton tried moving his body, his legs feeling like lead.
He had been allowed to go to the bathroom in dire need, and then tied back again.
He had looked around, trying to find any outlet, and had seen only one window. But it had been boarded, a cupboard hiding it partially. The only other exit point was that door, which he could see from his chair. And he had no clue how many people were beyond it, and what they wanted.
Damn it!
How do I get out of this hellhole?

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

'Are you serious?'
Erisha's stomach heaved.

'Would I be joking about something like this? Mr. Elrod's lawyer has made a statement in the press. Don't you read the papers?'
Julian sounded extremely upset.

'I..I've been a bit busy..didn't see..I'm sorry..'
Erisha tried getting in.

'The police have been informed, with an investigation being carried out already..'

'Oh, God!'
Erisha plopped down on her bed, her mind reeling with the information.

'I just thought I'd let you know..since you had asked me to tell you..'

'Yes, yes! Thankyou. I hope he's found safe and sound..'
Erisha told him, and Julian ended the call.

Oh my God! Treyton..missing?
What if something's happened to him?
'No! No!'
Erisha got up and began to pace her room.
'What are you even thinking? He's a famous personality! How can he disappear without anyone knowing?'
What do you care? You threw him out of your house, your life..you told him you never wanted to see him again..
'Oh, God! No! I didn't mean that!'
Erisha put a hand to her head, and stopped pacing. She walked to her bed and sat back again.
'I didn't mean it that way! And anyways, I said that in anger, not because I wanted something to happen to him! Please..not that!'
She looked heavenwards, as if pleading to God.
I don't know why I'm feeling so guilty, as if it's all happened because I wanted it to..is it because I've developed feelings for him?
Erisha put a hand to her suddenly thudding heart.
'No! No! It can't be that! How much do I know him?'
Just enough that you are attracted to him? Just enough that he makes you feel..things you have never experienced before?
Her conscience replied back.
'Why do I feel so restless?'
Erisha began pacing the room once more.
'As if..as if..I should be doing something to find him? I don't know if it's my guilty conscience or the fact that I've..'
She stopped walking.
'That I have feelings for him..'
Admit it Erisha! You like him..at some level, you have gone past the stage of being with him because of..no! You have stopped thinking of him as just a rude, cynical, haughty, rich man..and instead, have started thinking of him as just a man..a good looking, nice man who makes you want to...
'Stop! Just stop that thought! That's just rubbish! You just want to know for the sake of humanity..nothing else..'
If that's what you want to believe..go ahead..but don't say I didn't tell you..
'Just shut up!'
Erisha almost shouted, before she realised that it had just been her conscience she was fighting with, a conscience which was starting to make sense....

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

The sound of the door alerted him, and he looked towards it.

'Chef kommt! Ist er noch bewusstlos? Boss is coming! Is he still unconscious?'
The man who had been watching over him asked the other, who probably kept vigil outside.

As they came inside, Treyton quickly shut his eyes.
Their boss is coming? I can't miss this chance to see who it is..
He pretended to moan and groan, keeping his eyes closed, as the men came closer, and one of them lifted his face to see.

'Er ist weg! He's out!'

'Gut! Lass uns gehen! Good! Let's go then!'

Both men hurried out, and Treyton opened his eyes to glare at the door.
I've had it! Once I see who this is..
What will you do? Your hands and feet are tied up..
Atleast I'll see who it is..
Treyton looked at the ropes, which had now made marks on his wrists, and wriggled his hands.
He had tried to open the ties using his fingers, even his teeth, by bending his head and pulling, but had not succeeded. The ropes had loosened somewhat, or so he assured himself, but had not freed him.
If only I wasn't feeling this weakness..I would have been out of here by now..

The door creaked open again, and Treyton quickly became motionless, shutting his eyes, his senses on full alert.
He heard the sound of feet, muted, but then his ears were highly sensitised right now.

'Alles klar! All is clear!'
One of the men whispered, and he sensed someone coming to stand right in front of him.

Since his head was bent downwards, he opened his eyes a crack, to see a pair of sneakers, attached to legs clad in black pants. As he looked, the legs came closer, and stood right before him. The 'boss' was silent, not uttering a word, as Treyton waited.
The legs moved backwards, and Treyton cursed inwardly. But feeling eyes on his face, he kept his shut.
Just when he thought there would be no headway in finding out who did this, he felt the feet shifting back towards him.
And before he could think, a hand had snaked out, and lifted his head to see.
Treyton pretended to go along with them, and kept his eyes shut.

'Töte ihn nicht! Don't kill him!'
The voice whispered.
'Die Polizei sucht ihn! The police are looking for him!'

Treyton felt his pulse race at hearing that.
Thank, God! But this voice..

'Ich kann nicht zulassen, dass sie mich verdächtigen! I can't have them suspecting me! Verschiebe ihn von hier! Move him from here!'

Treyton could feel eyes boring into his face, scrutinising him.
This is it!
He opened his eyes.

The other pair of eyes hadn't been expecting it, and looked shocked at the sudden green glare.
The person let go of his face, and shifted back.
But Treyton had seen enough, despite the mask covering the other person's face.
'I should have known..don't know why I never guessed..'

To be continued....