'You! What are you doing here?'

Erisha couldn't contain her shock, as she looked into the face of David Huber.

'Hello, girlfriend!'
David was furious, his eyes narrowed.

Gulping, Erisha felt a sense of trepidation at his defensive stance.
'How..how..did you get..I mean...when did you..'

'Come out of jail?'
His tone was sardonic.
'This morning...'

'Wh..what are you doing here?'
Erisha looked out at the now almost empty street, and saw him snort.
'What do you want?'
She didn't like the situation at all.

'You are a traitor, Erisha! You saved my enemy!'
David accused.

Erisha felt her heart drop to her stomach.
How did he find out?

'Wondering how I found out?'
David guessed what she had been thinking.
'I may have been in the lock up, but I have all the news! How you sneakily rescued Treyton Elrod and set him off to destroy me!'

'But..I..I didn't tell him anything..'
Erisha began.

'Yeah, right! He suddenly decided to get me arrested in front of national television, without mentioning you anywhere! What do you take me for?'
He sneered at her.
'My men told me a woman had rescued Treyton..a woman with a Harley! And you are the only woman I know who owns one!'

'I..you..'
Erisha didn't know how to get out of that.

'At a loss of words, are you?'
He put his hands on her shoulders and shook her.
'What made you do it? Didn't you once think of what could happen when I found out? Are you not aware of what I can do to your grandfather?'

Erisha's eyes widened, her heart plummeting to the floor at his words.
'Nanna! No!'

'Yes! Your Nanna! Who happens to be my loyal, trusted employee..a very well paid, elder employee..who can be retired at any time..or maybe even fired..'

'NO!'
Erisha shouted.
'Not that! Please!'

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

'Herr Elrod, the market is closed..'

Treyton had been so lost in his thoughts, that he didn't realise that his driver had stopped the car.

'Oh! I guess the traffic was heavier than I thought..'
Treyton was disappointed. He had been so looking forward to seeing Erisha, and to catch her unawares.
Damn! I needed to see her..
'Okay..head home..'
Erisha mustn't have reached home yet either..oh well, tomorrow..

The driver started the car, and Treyton opened his window to glance at Erisha's shop.
It was shut down like the rest of the shops in the vicinity.
They were about to leave the street, when he noticed some motion in a gully in the low lights from the street.
From this distance, it seemed as if a couple were enjoying a secret rendezvous, but at a second glance, it seemed as if the man was pushing the woman against the wall, while she struggled.
What the hell?
Sensing trouble, Treyton asked his driver to stop at a distance, and got off the car.

He went towards them quietly, so as to find out if help was really needed or not.
He heard raised voices, and quickened his steps.
But in the next minute he came to a dead stop.

'I'm sorry! I did all you asked me to..spent time with Treyton, took him out, tried to sweeten him up just like you said..'
Erisha's voice reached him loud and clear.
And hearing his name confirmed it.
But who was she talking to?

'But went racing down the countryside to help him escape from my clutches!'
As David Huber spoke, Treyton felt the bottom drop out from his world.

No! No! This can't be!
Treyton felt as if he had been shot.
When did Huber get out of prison? Why wasn't I informed?
Think about that later..what the hell is Erisha saying?

'Please, don't be angry! You know I'm grateful for all you have done for me..I can't even tell you..'
Erisha's voice became placating.

'What's the use of all this now?'
David's voice was angry.
'My arrest has shattered my reputation!'

Treyton couldn't believe he had been duped..again!
This time by the woman who he had started to believe and trust..
All crap! A lie! All a means to get back at me..

'David! I can make it up to you! I'll help you..please, just don't...'

Erishas voice faded, as Treyton moved away.
He couldn't stand any more.
I had actually started to like her..not just as someone I wanted sexually, but as a person...
He hurried back to his car, rattling out instructions, as he did so.

As the car moved away onto the main road, Treyton closed his eyes.
I should have listened to my instincts earlier..that she was like all the other women I know, who would do anything to be a part of Treyton Elrod's life!
Well..this is definitely the last..
I'll never forgive you, Erisha! Never!

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

Erisha knew David to be dangerous.
Treyton's kidnapping had definitely proved that.
But when it came to her grandfather, she could do anything..even lie through her teeth.

'David! I can make it up to you! I'll help you..please, just don't...hurt Nanna! He only has his work. Please don't take it away from him..'
Erisha tried to sound defeated, when all she really wanted to do was to smack him in the face.
But she had to do something to help her grandfather first, and if that meant getting in his good books again, she would do it.

'Really?'
David raised his eyebrows at her.
'You will help me ruin Treyton Elrod?'

Erisha looked at him in disgust, but quickly blinked so he wouldn't see it.
But her expression must still have something, because he snorted again.

'What? You don't like the idea, sweetheart?'
He lifted her chin with a finger, to look into her eyes.
'Aahh, I see..'

'What are you talking about?'
Erisha jerked his finger off with a shake of her head.

'You've gotten the hots for Elrod, have you? What? Did he kiss you..or maybe more? Men like him just use women for their pleasure. They are never serious!'
David sneered at her.

'No, no! There's nothing like that!'
Erisha couldn't let him know her feelings for Treyton..at any cost.
Showing any weakness would only infuriate David further, and she had to save Nanna..and now, Treyton.
'I only went out with him because you asked me to..'
Erisha tried to sound indifferent.

'And rescued him from me because you respected my wishes?'
He laughed at her.
'What do you take me for? A fool?'

'I..I didn't know it was you who kidnapped him.'
Erisha lied.
'I heard his accountant talking about him, so followed him. He led me to Treyton. I thought he was the one. So I helped Treyton out of there..that's all..believe me..'
Erisha tried to convince him, hoping against hope that he would believe her.

'Hmm..if that's the truth, then you shouldn't have any trouble helping me, right?'
David sounded skeptical.

'No! I mean yes, I'll help..'
Over my dead body..
'Just..let me see Nanna once..'

'Why?'
David narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
'Why do you want to meet him after all this time?'

'I just want to see how he's doing. I miss him..'
Her voice broke with emotion, and David tutted.

'Oh please! Don't start crying or anything! I hate women who cry!'
He rolled his eyes at her forlorn expression.
'Fine! I'll arrange something..'

Erisha should have felt relieved, but she didn't trust David any more. He could go to any lengths to get what he wanted.
'Thanks..'

How do I save Nanna from this evil man?
Erisha thought all the way back home, after David had promised to get in touch with her in a day or two.
And Treyton..
Why does even the thought of hurting him make me feel like a heel?
We made out the other night..Treyton wanted me..I know it.
So why was David saying he could never be serious with a woman?
Oh, God!
It's all such a muddle..how to fix it?

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

Treyton increased the speed of his treadmill to an almost dangerous one.

His mind was running just as fast, with thoughts that made him want to cause someone physical harm.
But he had to make do with releasing his energy.
DAMN YOU TO HELL, ERISHA!
Treyton had been in a rage, ever since he had overheard Huber and Erisha two nights ago.
It was all a plan!
Sweeten me up! Isn't that what she said?
She had sex with me!
(He refused to think of it as making love).
But she gave you her virginity!
So? Somebody had to be duped. Why not Treyton Elrod?
They both have made a fool out of me!

His body couldn't take any more of the exercise, and so he lowered the speed of his treadmill, trying to control his thoughts the same way.
As he stopped the machine and got off, he flung a towel around his neck, to wipe off the sweat.

As he picked up a bottle of water and drank from it, his mind wandered to things he had long ago put out of his head.
His parents..his mother's betrayal..
All women were cheaters, not to be trusted..
Treyton walked out of his home gym and into the lounge in nothing but briefs.
Opening the terrace doors, he ran a hand through his sweaty hair, as the night wind touched his heated body.
Throwing away the towel on a chair, he went to the swimming pool and made a clean dive into the cool water.
As he treaded water, he closed his eyes heavenwards, memories taking over.
To a time long ago...

Treyton's father, Jakob Elrod, had been a budding artist, who had been struggling for  fame when he had met his mother.
Katharina Alexander had been a young student studying art at the time.
They had met at some exhibition and had fallen in love. As luck would have it, she had gotten pregnant, and so they had married.
But, being young, and struggling with their careers, they both hadn't been ready for a baby, and had ended up neglecting their son.
Treyton had spent more time with neighbours and friends than at home.
As he grew older, and his father started to earn comfortably, he hardly saw his parents, his father travelling on off to Paris for his art, and his mother usually accompanied him, leaving him in the hands of a nanny.

His mother had been beautiful, and full of life. She had yearned for much more than her husband could give her.
She wanted to stay in Paris and shop and be merry. But that hadn't been possible with her husband's earnings.
So, as was her luck, she had found another man during one of their trips, who was rich and could afford her whims.
While his father worked, his mother began going out, and fulfilling her dreams.

It was when his father found out, that things went out of control.
His parents fought and fought, and fought.
They didn't even realise what effect it had on Treyton..they were too busy in their own world.
The other man offered to marry her, and his mother became ready to leave her husband..and son.

Treyton remembered it all clearly, as if it had taken place yesterday instead of eighteen years ago.
He swam several laps, reminiscing.
He remembered feeling upset, then praying that his mother wouldn't leave him.
He had cried alone at nights, hearing his father scream and shout, and his mother replying back in kind.

He remembered the night before his mother had left him forever.
He had resorted to pleading with her not to go.
He had even taken hold of her suitcase and hidden it.
For the first time that night, his mother had slapped him, and told him not to interfere.
He remembered the twelve year old boy crying, and asking her when had he ever interfered.
'You never had time for me, ever! I could never stop you from going anywhere! But, not this! Don't leave me forever! Please, don't go Mom! I'll be good, I promise! Just don't go away for ever!'

But his pleas had fallen on deaf ears, as his mother, after giving him a peck on the cheek, and asking him to take care, had left his room..and his life forever..

After she had left, his father lost all interest in life, to the point that he stopped painting.
He drank away his sorrows, ignoring his son altogether.
And when Treyton would try and stop him from drinking, his father would push him away or slap him.

Treyton would sit and cry, and wish to run away from home, if only to get away from his drunkard father.
The money soon dwindled, and they had to sell their belongings, and leave the rented house.
Life on the streets was not pretty, and they had to take refuge in a shelter for the homeless.
Till one day, when his father went out to buy himself a drink..and never came back..

Treyton levered himself out of the pool, and stood dripping in the cool night air.
If it hadn't been for that one man who saved me, I would be a nobody..maybe even struggling to survive till now...

He picked up a fresh towel from a table, and dried himself before going in, having spent his energy..and cooled off.
But his mind was still in the past..remembering..

'Ring! Ring!'

Treyton was jostled out of his  thoughts, by the ringing of his in-house intercom.

'Yes!'
He said into the receiver.

'Herr Treyton..'
Gordon's voice came across.
'You have a visitor..'

'At this time?'
Treyton glanced at the clock on his bedroom wall.
It was 10 pm.
'Who is it?'

'It's Frau Erisha, sir..'

To be continued..