'David Huber did have a partner. One who betrayed me and my trust. And that is..'
Treyton paused, and looked again around the room.
'My old and trusted accountant, Mark Haffner!'

Another roar of noise erupted in the hall, as Mark was seen already stealthily hurrying towards the exit. Cameras flashed.
The security guards at the door, however, stopped him, as he tried to escape.
Two policemen stepped forward to arrest him.

Sitting at home, Erisha leaned back on her sofa, shutting her eyes in relief.
Thankyou! Thankyou, God!
But her eyes flew open again, as Treyton continued speaking.

'There were several other people as well, who David Huber used, to get to me, to report to him.'
Treyton again looked straight at the camera, and Erisha's heart raced double time.

'Who were they, Herr Elrod?'

'Are they your employees?'

'Tell us their names!'

Treyton's lawyer came forward, as Treyton suddenly stood up without answering, as if he had changed his mind. But the questions kept coming, the reporters persistant.
'More details will be handed over to you later. But that will be all for now!'
As Treyton started to walk out.

Erisha covered her face in her hands, almost teary at not being exposed as an accomplice in Treyton's kidnapping.

'Herr Elrod, were you tortured?'

'Sir, were you hurt?'

'How did you escape?'

The questions continued, as Treyton left the hall followed by his lawyer, and several more employees, the security team warding off the reporters from following him.

Thankyou, Treyton! I know you think I helped David, but you didn't take my name..thankyou!
Believe me, I wouldn't think of hurting you!
I'll prove it to you! Just trust me..please...

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

Treyton had done nothing but think all day.

About giving David Huber a taste of his own medicine. Torturing him somehow, making him suffer like he had made him do. Treyton had wanted to go confront him, and cause him physical harm.
But, after having his butler feed him, and restore some of his energy, Treyton had changed his mind.
A public humiliation. That's what he had wanted for the Hubers.

Once he had made up his mind for that, his thoughts had shifted to the one woman, who had taken up more of his thoughts than he had ever given to any other woman.
He had wanted to scream and shout at Erisha for fooling him, for lying to him, for helping Huber.
But, he had just left her apartment without looking back at her, because he had also wanted to take her in his arms, and kiss her senseless. He had wanted to lose himself in her, so that he couldn't think anymore..
And what did that really say about him?
That a woman had taken over his senses so completely, that he couldn't differentiate between right and wrong?
Because he was sorely tempted to believe her, about not being a part of the kidnapping.
But everything else? Whatever David had told him about her? How he had sent her to pique his interest? How she had agreed to all his plans?
Stop it, Treyton! Stop it!
Treyton had berated himself for letting her get beneath his skin, and had decided to just forget about her.
Or better yet, let her take the rap for all she had done.

With a hardened resolve, Treyton had decided to call for a press conference the same day, even though he knew his body needed the rest.
But the desire to convict Huber was stronger than any thing else.

So he had done that.
But he hadn't been able to take Erisha's name. At the last moment, he had gotten up and left.
And then gone home and seen Huber being arrested from his home, half naked, on national television.
Apparently, David Huber had been in bed with a woman, at the time of the police raiding his house, and had been stunned at the turn of events.

Treyton couldn't have asked for a better humiliation than that, and should have been extremely pleased.
But, he just felt a sense of restlessness.
Why?
The police and the law will decide his fate, and that should make me happy..
What about Erisha? How would she have felt on seeing her boyfriend being arrested, especially when he was with another woman?

As he now lay in bed, his mind wandered.
But he couldn't gloat.
An image of him and Erisha in bed, flashed through his head.
Erisha lying beneath him, looking up at him with desire in her eyes. His hands touching her body, his lips on her skin..
Why is the image so clear? As if it has happened?
Treyton shook his head to clear it, but it was stuck in his brain.
Another image superceded the last, of him falling asleep on top of her.
Damn! It's all so clear, because it happened! Last night! In Erisha's bed! I slept on her!
Treyton actually felt like kicking himself.
No wonder I keep seeing it!
How could I? Knowing her for the liar she is..how could I do that?
Treyton sat up in bed, and picked up the glass of water on his bedside table. He took a huge gulp of it, trying to calm himself.
He laid back down, staring into the darkness.
You have got to get a hold on yourself! This woman is almost part of your downfall. Just forget her! Yes! That's what I have to do..forget her!
Treyton told himself over and over, till at last he slumped into exhaustion.

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

The next two weeks were extremely hectic.

After Treyton's return, and David Huber's arrest, the business world was in a state of shock.
Those who had trusted Huber, felt betrayed, and in danger of losing their credibility as well.
Statements came from everyone Huber had ever dealt with, of how they had never known Huber for being so manipulative, and how they were not involved in any way.

David Huber was still in jail, his lawyers running about trying to get him out on bail. But the laws were strict, leading towards a trial.

Treyton threw himself in work, and led his employees into doing the same.
The new project about to be launched, had all his attention.
His kidnapping had gained him more respect and integrity, and Elrod Enterprises reigned once again.

In all the flurry of activity, one thing hadn't changed.
The thoughts Treyton and Erisha had about each other.
But those thoughts were opposite to each other's.
Whereas Erisha was trying to find a way for Treyton to believe her, and not think the worst about her, Treyton was repeatedly convincing himself that she was not worth it.

Erisha had begun to have sleepless nights, trying to think of a way to get Treyton to listen to her, to believe her.
Because she had in the last few days, come to terms with the fact that Treyton meant something to her.
Against all the odds, she liked him. She dodged around the thought that the 'like' could be 'love', assuring herself that she found him attractive, and a man she was coming to respect.

It was a few days later, that Erisha had some pieces to collect from a retailer across the city.
She found the building, that housed the warehouse of that retailer, and had collected the antique items she had been there for.
As she was on her way back, a big box in her arms, trying to press the elevator's call button with her elbow, someone carrying rolls of what seemed like paper, came from the other side, trying to do the same.
They almost crashed, but where Erisha held on to her box more firmly, the papers fell and rolled along the floor.

'Oh! I'm so sorry!'
Erisha put down her box on the floor and turned to help.

The woman she had almost run into, was kneeling on the floor to pick up her paper rolls.
'That's okay! I was not looking myself! Thank God, these are just blueprints, and not something heavy like your box..I..'
The woman looked up, and her eyes widened in surprise.
'Oh! You are..Treyton's..'

Erisha had also stopped picking up the papers, and looked surprised to see the woman she had seen with Treyton twice, once at the restaurant, and once at the roadside cafe, making plans for Paris.
'You! I mean..'

The other woman chuckled quietly.
'Yes! We both recognise each other!'
Picking up the rest of the rolls, both women stood up.

Erisha handed her the papers she had picked up, a closed look coming on her face, as she remembered the conversation she had overheard of Treyton and this woman about going on a romantic getaway to Paris.
The other woman noticed, and gave a small smile.

'We weren't really introduced before. I'm Laura Hart.'

'Okay..'
Erisha turned to pick up her box.

'And you are?'

Erisha turned back to her.
'No one important..'

'Well, I wouldn't say that! Not after what Treyton said about you..'

Erisha's eyebrows went up that.
'I'm sure whatever he said was not worth mentioning.'
Her tone was cold, and she herself didn't understand why.
Running into Laura was apparently rubbing her up the wrong way. Because she was never just rude with strangers.

'You would be surprised, surely. Listen, how about we have coffee? My office is down the hall..'
Laura gestured with her head.

'No thanks!'
Erisha pressed the call button of the elevator, and bent to pick up her box.

'I believe it will be worth your while! Because obviously, you have some misconceptions about me..'

'I don't think I do..so..'

'I see that you do! And I'd like to clear some things. So..please?'
Laura again gestured towards her office.

Erisha was curious by now. Although she didn't like the beautiful woman, who looked amazing even now in a pretty blue suit, she wanted to hear what the other woman wanted to say.
'Okay..'

'Great! Come..do you need help with that?'
She pointed to the box still on the floor.

'No, I can manage!'
Erisha picked it up, and followed Laura.

They entered a large foyer, where a seating area was set. A large desk on the corner, had a woman seated there, who stood up on seeing Laura.

'Ma'am! Can I help you with that?'

'Yes, Jennifer! And please be a darling, and get us two coffees. Thanks!'
Handing over the rolls to her assistant, Laura opened the door of her office, and led Erisha inside.

Erisha was surprised to see a huge, luxurious office, with very tasteful interiors, as she put down her box, and moved to the sofas Laura gestured to.

'Come! Have a seat..uhm, Erisha, right?'
Laura sat down, and crossed one leg over the other.

'Yes! But..you were just asking my name out there..'
Erisha looked a bit confused.

'Oh, that!'
She chuckled.
'I wanted a formal introduction. Because Treyton had already told me about you..'

'Why?'
Erisha put in quickly.
'Why would he tell you about me? We aren't even good friends or anything..whereas you both..'

'We both?'
Laura smiled.
'Treyton and I go way back, yes! We are good friends..'

'I see..'
Erisha muttered under her breath.

'Actually, you don't!'
Laura uncrossed her leg, and leaned forward.
Just then there was a knock on the door, and her assistant arrived with coffee.
After the door had closed behind her, Laura spoke again.
'I'm Treyton's architect, and not what you are thinking.'

'Architect?'

'Yes! I do the designing for his buildings. We have been working together since several years..hence, we are good friends.'

Erisha felt a sense of relief on hearing that, but one thing still triggered.
'But what do you know about me? I mean, I saw you with him at the cafè..when I..'
She stopped, a bit embarrassed.

'Yes! Where you were determined to speak with him..well, Treyton had told me about you before that..'

'Why? I mean, why did he tell you?'
Erisha tried to sound nonchalant.

'Well, there are hardly too many reasons a man talks about a woman. You seem like a smart woman, I'm sure you know which reason I'm talking about.'

Erisha flushed a little.
'Uhm..I..'

'You are so cute! I mean, you are beautiful, but that blush is really cute!'
Laura laughed.
'Anyways, Treyton didn't tell me as much, as I gauged myself when we met at that restaurant. He was jealous of you and David..'

'Me and David?'
Erisha frowned.
'What do you know about that?'

'That David is definitely not your type, that Treyton didn't know what you saw in him, etc, etc. In fact he was so put off, that he used me, a married woman, in making you jealous!'

'Oh..'
She was a married! Yay!

'I know he's into you, and by your expressions, I can tell so are you..so what seems to be the problem?'

Erisha didn't know what it was about the woman, but she suddenly liked her. Her open face, her ready smile, her assurance, made Erisha believe in her, and she ended up telling her what had happened with the kidnapping. How she had rescued him from his captors, and brought him back. How he was angry with her.

'So, that's why!'
Laura slapped her forehead.

'Why, what?'

'That's why he has been like a sore bear for the past couple of times I've met him this week. I knew all about the kidnapping, but didn't know it was you who saved him. I get it now! He must think you were an accomplice and he's trying to keep his distance.'

'How can you, who I've just met tell this, while Treyton..he..we..'
Her colour darkened again thinking of them together.
'I mean, he thinks I've wronged him, and I really want to make him believe the truth. That I was used by David too, and I had no hand in anything..'

'Hmm..which means, you have a thing for him too. Because that would be the only reason you would want to prove your innocence.'

Erisha ignored that.
'Can you help? Get him to talk to me? I mean, I don't think he would welcome me with open arms..figuratively speaking..'
Erisha added, as Laura laughed.

'If you genuinely want to make things better, you have to make some effort. Not just sit and hope!'

'I don't have any proof with me..'

'Hmm..I think you should catch him unawares. When he's least expecting it. Maybe he will listen then..'
Laura advised, leaving Erisha wondering.

'You are a great friend of his. I'm glad to have met you. Although it might have been too much for a first meeting, but I've gotten more positive thoughts from you than I've been trying to work up in the past two weeks. Thankyou!'

Laura had a meeting after that, so after sharing their phone numbers, and promising to get in touch if something came up, Erisha left, her mind in a flurry.

I'll find a way, Treyton Elrod..I will!

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

Where is the next appointment?

Treyton had been told by Irma, his assistant, that he had a meeting with a businesswoman, who wanted to talk to him about a deal regarding one of the buildings he owned. She had been recommended by Laura, his architect.
Wondering why Laura hadn't mentioned it, he had agreed to meet her.
But she was late, and he was getting impatient.
Don't people have the decency to make it to their appointments on time? So annoying!

Treyton's hand reached over the intercom, just as it rang.

'Yes!'

'Sir! Your appointment is here!'

'Send her in!'

Treyton stood up to greet her, and came out from behind his desk, just as the door opened, and a woman dressed in an electric blue dress entered his office.
He froze midway, when he saw who it was.

'You! What are you doing here?'

Erisha moved forward, looking gorgeous as sin, her full skirt swirling around her legs, as she shut the door behind her.
'Is that how you greet your clients?'

'Clients? My foot! What do you think you are doing? Coming here under false references, and false reasons?'
Treyton was frowning, as Erisha advanced towards him.

'Who said the reason I'm here for is false? Or the reference? Laura Hart is a client of mine..'

'What?'
Treyton was taken aback.
'Never heard her speaking about you! Or you about her!'
He sounded suspicious.

'Well, we don't really do much of talking whenever we do meet, do we?'
Erisha was now standing in front of him, a small frisson of nervousness passing through her. But she lifted her head to look him in the face.

'What?'
Treyton stood his ground, a bit surprised to see her standing so close to him, and not fidgeting.

'I said, we don't really talk that much..'

'I heard you..'
He took a step back, and turned around to walk back to his desk.

'Aren't you going to say all we do is fight?'

Treyton was startled to hear her voice right behind him. She had followed him.
Damn you, woman! Have mercy!
He turned around, an irritated look on his face, directed more towards himself.
'What is wrong with you? Move back, woman!'
He growled, stepping back again.

Something like hope fluttered in her chest, and she felt an unknown courage within, at his reaction.
He is affected..
'I'm not here to fight, like everytime.'

'We don't fight every time..'
He stopped seeing something in her eyes, wondering what she was thinking, with an expression like that. An excitement began to build within him.

'Let's not..this time, either..'

And before he could react or say anything, Erisha had pressed herself against him, and reaching up on her toes, covered his lips with her own.

To be continued...