'Sorry?'
Erisha frowned, looking at him, puzzled at his sudden change in behaviour.

'You should be!'
Treyton was looking at her with accusation in his eyes.

'Excuse me?'
Erisha raised an eyebrow, and put both her hands on her waist.
'What does that even mean?'

'Exactly what I'm saying! I had thought you were different, but no! You are just like everyone else! A liar and a cheat! Who can go to any means to get what she wants!'

Erisha's expressions had gone on to change from confusion to indignation at the allegations being implicated on her, and she now narrowed her eyes.
'And what is that supposed to mean? Are you..'

'Don't even try explaining yourself! All you have ever done is lie to me since we met! Everything has been a bloody lie!'
His voice had risen, as high as his claims.

'I have lied? To you? About what?'
She scowled at him.
'I have not..'

'Hidden the truth from me? Is that what you are saying?'

'What truth are you talking about? What is this interrogation?'
She involuntarily moved a step back, as he stepped forward.

Treyton didn't notice, and advanced further.
'You want to act all innocent?'
Before she could open her mouth again, he continued.
'Fine! Be that way! I'm talking about you..and David Huber! And you implementing out his plan for my downfall!'

'What?'
Erisha gasped.

'Yes! You can act all shocked, but you can't deny that you have helped him to get to me!'

Erisha's colour paled at that, and Treyton felt a sense of disappointment.
So much for hoping..

'Treyton! Listen..'
Erisha began, her guilt rearing its' head.

'No! You listen!'
He suddenly closed the distance between them, and gripped her shoulders, a tad harshly.
'You helped him to trap me! He whistled, and you went running to do his bidding!'

'It's not like that..believe me!'

'Believe you? Believe the lies behind this beautiful face?'
He shook her, his eyes looking at her with contempt.

Erisha swallowed, having difficulty in facing his disdain.
No! No! You are wrong..
The words seemed to stick in her throat, as she realised she couldn't tell him the truth.

'Those meetings, the kisses we shared, you melting in my arms! All a joke! A perfect cover for what you were instructed to do!'
His thumb came up to rub her lip roughly, his eyes on her face.

Despite the situation, Erisha felt something stir at his touch, and mentally scolded herself.
That's all I need..
'You have it wrong..'
His green gaze penetrated her brown ones, searching for answers.

'No! I for once have it right! You thought you could sway me with that air of mystery about you..'
He moved the hand from her lips, to tangle it in her hair, dislodging the clip she had used to tie it in a loose knot, splaying her black tresses over his hand and arm.
'This gorgeous face, this sexy body..'
The way he was saying all this, sounded romantic, but there was only anger in his tone.
'You used me for your means!'
He brought his face closer, so that only few inches separated them.

Erisha's breath hitched at his closeness, and she couldn't move her eyes from his.
'Treyton..'
She breathed.

Something flittered in his eyes, but disappeared just as quickly, to be replaced by scorn.
'This! This!'
He suddenly pushed her away, and Erisha staggered backwards, looking stunned.
'You think you can look at me with these innocent eyes, this..desire, making me believe that you are interested in me sexually..but, no! It's all an act, and look at stupid me! I fell for it! Hook, line and sinker!'
Treyton ran a hand through his hair, as if in frustration.

'But that's because I do de..'
Erisha began, but stopped, at his expression.
'You are just angry, I..'

'Angry? I'm not just angry, I'm furious!'
He snapped back at her.
'You and David planned everything! From every meeting to everything you have said or done! How could you..stoop so low?'
He turned his head to the other side, hence missing her shocked reaction.
'He's scum, but I didn't think you would turn out like him!'
He looked back at her, to see her flush.
'And kidnapping! My God! How could you?'

'Now hold it there!'
Erisha took hold of his arm, and turned him around, as he would have walked away.
'How could you even think that?'
She let go of his arm, as he looked down at her hand, pointedly.
'I rescued you out of that place!'
He snorted.
'Why would I do that if I had been involved in the kidnapping?'

'To keep me confused!'
He bit back.
'So I will think that maybe I was wrong, and again be influenced by your wiles!'

Erisha flushed with anger now.
'Wiles? I never used any wiles on you. And I would never ever resort to kidnapping someone..'

'Ha! Ofcourse you would say that now!'
He rolled his eyes.
'Last night, I had actually chided myself for believing in everything Huber had said to me about you when he had had me at his mercy. But this morning..'
An image of kissing her, and  holding her soft body in his arms, flashed through his mind, as if it was a recent thing, but he blinked it away.

'What happened this morning to make you think otherwise?'
Erisha asked, wanting to know.

'This!'
Treyton pointed to her phone, that she had thrown onto the table.
'Huber calling you so early in the morning! Probably to find out if I had given in to you, and done what he had asked you to do!'

'Stop it! Just stop it!'
Erisha put both her palms over her ears, to shut out his accusations.
'I did not help him with anything of the sort! In fact, I came to help you, as soon as I discovered..'

'Why?'
He asked.

'What?'
Erisha frowned, as he interrupted her.

'Why did you help? Why did you bring me here to your place? You wanted David to find me here, so he could carry out his 'Oh so great' plans?'
Treyton made punctuation marks in the air for emphasis.

'I did nothing of the sort! You were almost falling with exhaustion. It just seemed a good idea at the time..'

'Yeah! Good idea for you and your boyfriend!'
He almost spat the last word.

'David is not my boyfriend!'
If anything, Erisha looked offended at that.

'Yeah, and I'm Jackie Chan!'
Treyton rolled his eyes.

'Who? What?'
Erisha gave him a look of astonishment.

'Jackie Chan! You know, the actor, martial art..'

'I know who Jackie Chan is..ugghh! Never mind!'
Erisha shook her head, when he raised an eyebrow at her.
'The point of the matter is, that I was not involved in the kidnapping..'

'As good as..'
He muttered under his breath, but she heard.

'Whatever!'
Erisha was getting agitated now by his attitude.
She moved to the table, picked up her phone, and then handed it over to him.
'Here! Call your driver, or whoever you want to, and leave! I'm sure you are dying to get away from here!'

Treyton looked a bit taken aback by her sudden change in behaviour.
'I already did! While you were getting dressed.'

'Oh, okay! That's great then! You will soon be away from my presence and my home!'
With that, she turned away  him, and walked over to her coffee machine.

Treyton watched her with narrowed eyes, trying to come to terms with the fact that he had been had by a woman.
How dare she..I..

'Do you want to eat something before you go, or would that be like eating with your enemy?'
Erisha turned around with a coffee mug in her hand, and noticed that he had not moved an inch, his gaze fixed on her.
'Treyton, I know what you are thinking, but..'
Just then, Erisha's phone rang, and they both went still.
Not David, please!

Treyton looked at the phone as if it was something repulsive.
Huber! How I wish I can kill him through the phone..

Putting down her coffee mug, she moved to pick it up, and saw an unknown number flash on the screen. Feeling relieved, she picked it up, to discover it was Treyton's driver. She handed it over.

'Yes! I'll be right down!'
Treyton told him, and disconnected the call, before heading towards her apartment door.

So much for my efforts! Not even a thankyou for helping him..
Erisha watched him pause at the door, and felt her heartbeat quicken.
But without a word, he opened the door and left, not even looking back.

Erisha felt unexpected tears sting behind her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away.
Why do I feel bereft? As if his behaviour hurt me? And why does it matter what he thinks of me anyways..why??

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

There was a strained silence all day, as Erisha waited for some reaction.

There had been no more calls from David, and frankly, she hadn't felt like talking to him. If he had found out about her helping Treyton, he hadn't done anything about it..yet!
He wouldnt harm her..no, no! I shouldn't think like that!

All day at work, Erisha remained tense, but the shop was busy, so she somehow managed it.
Twice she thought about calling Treyton to find out if he was alright, but discarded the idea.
After all he had said to her, all he had accused her of, she couldn't just call him as if nothing was amiss.

But as she got home, and went in her bedroom, it was another matter.
Just glancing at the bed reminded her of Treyton, his presence still lingering in her private sanctuary.
How will I sleep there? Knowing that his head had been on my pillow, and his body in my bed..
How we almost..if he had been alert..oh God!
Erisha blushed, thinking of how she always lost herself when he touched her.
Have I developed feelings for him?
Erisha gasped at the thought.
How can I? I don't even know him that well..
Don't lie, Erisha..you know that he's hard working, generous, good looking, sexy...
'Stop it! You have lost it, Erisha!'
She chided herself, and went to take a shower.

As she was drying herself, she heard the phone ringing in her room.
She hurried out, wrapping the towel around herself.

It was Julian Finn.

Erisha quickly connected the call, hoping for news about Treyton.
'Julian! Hi! What's up?'

'Erisha! The boss is back!'
Julian's voice sounded extremely excited.

'Really?'
Erisha's pulse quickened, even though she knew it, but she somehow managed to keep her voice calm, so he wouldn't know.
'How? When?'

'He came back this morning! You really didn't know? The news is full of it. Treyton has called a press conference, and it's just now being aired on national television.'
Julian went on to tell her.

'Oh God!'
Will he reveal David's name? And mine?
What if he does? My business..my life..it could be ruined..

'Erisha! Are you there?'
His voice penetrated through her stunned brain, and she nodded.

'Yes, yes! I'm here!'

'We are at the office, and the press is here. I have to go! Just thought I'd let you know, since you had been so concerned.'

'Thankyou, Julian! I'll go and watch!'
With that Erisha hurried out of her bedroom in her towel clad state, and quickly switched on the television.

True enough, the conference had just begun.
Treyton, dressed in a charcoal grey suit and maroon tie, looking like the successful businessman he was, was seated with his board members at the head of a table.
The room was full of reporters, who had already started asking questions.
Erisha's gaze was fixed on Treyton, and she noticed how tired he still looked.
He probably hasn't laid down much less rested..

'Herr Elrod! Who kidnapped you and why?'

'Will you reveal the name of the kidnapper?'

'Were you held at ransom?'

'How did you come back? Did your kidnapper let you go?

'What demands did the kidnapper make?'

The questions flew right, left and centre, both in English and German, as the reporters showed their eagerness to know the answers.

Treyton raised his palms to stop the questions.
'Hold it! I will answer them all. Please remain seated.'
He stayed silent, till the buzzing room quietened down.
'Thankyou! I would like to thank you all for coming at such a short notice. I would like this opportunity to reveal the mastermind behind this plan.'

Flashes went off and on, as pictures were being taken.
Erisha sat with just as bated a breath, as the reporters in that conference hall.
Treyton's eyes focused on someone, and his eyes narrowed.

'As some of you might know, that a few months back, there was a leak in my company regarding a major project. It was during the investigation that the traitor was discovered. As the investigation team narrowed in on the culprit, I myself became involved. Apparently, that was what the enemy had been waiting for, and I was held hostage.'
Treyton lifted a hand again, as the same questions were repeated.
'The Huber Company bagged that project..'

'Are you saying it was David Huber who got you kidnapped?'
One reporter cut in.
Erisha waited, almost biting her nails, as Treyton paused.

'Yes! David Huber it is!'

The room erupted with noise, with the lawyers and employees trying to control them.

'Who betrayed you? From your company?'

'Was there someone else besides David Huber?'

Erisha felt as if her heart would stop, as Treyton looked directly into the camera, as if looking at her.

'Yes! There was! David Huber did have a partner who helped him. And that is...'

To be continued...