Treyton kissed Marissa.

More for his peace of mind than anything else.

Thoughts of one Indian woman had been troubling him since forever, and this seemed like the only way to ward them off.
He pushed his tongue down her mouth, and heard her moan out loud.
But, there was no spark..no burning up in flames as his lips touched hers..no desire to push her against the wall and ravage her mouth..no urge to rip off her clothes and make wild love..
Hold it, Elrod! What the hell are you even thinking?
He suddenly pushed Marissa, and she staggered a bit, surprised.

'Woah! You have never kissed me that way before!'
Marissa touched her lips.
'So wild..I liked it..'

Treyton just swung around to face the window, and shut his eyes.
It's not you I had in my mind..
What the hell is wrong with me? How can I still be thinking about Erisha? She doesn't even deserve my attention..
She's KK's granddaughter..so what? Does that make her less of a cheater..

'Treyton!'
Marissa put a hand on his arm, and stroked it up and down his coat sleeve, slowly, lover-like.
'What we had was so good..and I can tell, you still have feelings for me, otherwise that kiss..'
Her voice was sultry.

'What did you want, Marissa?'
Treyton's tone was terse.
'Why did you come here?'

'Oh, come on!'
She turned him around to face her, and saw his facial muscles clench.
'You haven't gone out with another woman since you broke up with me..'

Oh! What do you know?

'The news of your kidnapping hit me hard, and I realised that I didn't want to lose you..'

'I've been back for more than a month now.'
Treyton stepped away from her, and moved to sit behind his desk.
'Where was your concern earlier?'
He asked sardonically.

'You have forgotten, mein Schatz..I told you I had a big fashion show to attend in Paris..remember? I just got back yesterday..'

'Perhaps..well..as you can see I'm fit and fine, and I should get back to work.'

'Alright..'
Marissa knew nothing interfered with his work, and didn't try to insist.
'But only if you promise to have dinner with me on Friday..'

Treyton raised an eyebrow at that.
'Dinner? Marissa, you know we are not a thing anymore..'

'I know..you told me that..but this once, for old time's sake..'
She came to stand next to him.
'Come on! It's just a dinner..'
She cajoled.

'Fine! Irma will arrange it, and let you know..'
He turned to his laptop, dismissing her.

Feeling pleased that Treyton had agreed, Marissa smiled inwardly.
'Sure! I'll see you then..'
With a wave of her fingers, Marissa sashayed out of his office, leaving Treyton looking after her.

Why did I just agree to that?
Treyton asked himself.
You know why! An attempt to forget about Erisha..
Yes! Stay busy, Treyton..stay busy...

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

Erisha dropped a box of decoration pieces that had just arrived, and cursed out loud.
Where the hell is your mind?
Seems like you have lost it!

Erisha had been in a foul mood ever since she had left Treyton's office two days ago. (Or more precisely run away).
Even her assistant and customers had noticed, that she hadn't been her cheery self, and had steered clear.

And if truth be told about what she had witnessed, Erisha had been jealous, crazily jealous.
Yes! Damn the man!
I wanted to go in there, and scratch the woman's eyes out..or..or give Treyton an earful..
But what she had done instead, was blink back the sudden tears that had stung her eyes, and backtracked her steps in shock.
Treyton was a womaniser..you knew it!
So why had it hurt to see him in the arms of another woman..lips locked..
Because she wanted him, because she liked him..no! He hadn't made any promises or demands..he just used my body for his satisfaction..to scratch an itch he had had..
So stop with any self pity..and forget him..

But that had been easier said than done, and it had been all she had been able to think about for the past two days.
It had been worst at night, when she could remember him in her bed, in her arms..how tender he had been with her during, and after they had made love..
Made love?
Whoever invented this phrase, must never have had sex..the 'do it and get it over with' types..
You definitely came out the loser..giving away your everything to him...

And what was even worse was, that she had totally forgotten about her grandfather in her selfishness.
But now, she would rather die, than go to Treyton Elrod for help..
Whatever she had to do, she had to do it by herself.

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

Treyton's car stopped in front of Marissa's building, and he saw her saunter out, a black coat covering most of her form.

If truth be told, Treyton was the least interested in what she had on underneath, unlike the two three times he had wondered what Erisha did.
This is not Erisha! In fact, this is the best way to forget about Erisha! So, concentrate on your companion Treyton..

'Right on time, as always..'
Marissa murmured, before she leaned over to peck his cheek.

'Ofcourse..'
Treyton said, signaling the driver to move.

'This feels so good..'
She moved closer to him.

Treyton was slightly amused by her obvious excitement, and wished he could feel the same.
But he decided to try and bear it all..
Anything to take my mind off..

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

'Thanks for coming, Julian!'
Erisha smiled, as Julian came and sat down across from her at the table she had reserved for dinner.

'I guess your business is flourishing real good..'
Julian teased, looking around at the fancy restaurant.
'This has got to be expensive!'

Erisha chuckled at that.
'I just felt like indulging tonight..don't you like it?'

'It's great! But it never came in my budget, although my mom wanted to come and try once.'

'Oh yeah! Mrs. Finn always talked about going to fancy places and all..I remember..'

'You do?'
Julian looked surprised.
'It was a long, long time ago when we were neighbours in the countryside house..'

Erisha smiled, remembering.
Her grandfather's house had been two houses away from the Finns' and Julian and Erisha had hit it off immediately, when she had come to live with her grandfather.
They each had fond memories from that time, until KK had had to find work in the city..and had met David Huber..

'But I wasn't so young..eighteen years old..enough to remember it all. You were sixteen then..'

'And very rowdy..'
Julian shook his head.

'Yeah! It's hard to believe that you have turned out to be such a sensible man..'

'I'll take that as a compliment..and give you one too..you are looking really beautiful today..'
Julian looked at the electric blue dress Erisha was wearing, its' halter neck accentuating her slim shoulders, the dress a slim fitting one, with a big slit down one leg.
She had her hair open, pulled to one side by a clasp.

'Thankyou..shall we order?'

As they placed their orders and chatted about old times, Erisha couldn't help but think of Treyton.
This was just the type of restaurant he would grace, expensive and with a great cuisine.
Why does everything keep on reminding me of him?
Had she subconsciously dressed for him too?
He turned out to be like all other men..interested in only one thing..

'...can't say I wasn't surprised..'

Erisha suddenly realised that Julian was saying something to her, and she was lost in her thoughts.

'Surprised?About what?'
She took a sip of her fruit cocktail.

'That Mr. Elrod was seeing another woman. I had thought you guys were good, you know..'
Julian gestured with his fork.

'No!'
Her reply came out too quick, and she saw Julian's eyebrows lift up.
'I mean, Treyton and I were never together, we just went out a couple of times..'
Erisha lied, something clawing inside her at the thought of him with another woman.
'So, he's going out with someone?'
Curiosity compelled her to ask.
She recalled the scene she had witnessed in his office, and clenched her fist.

'Hmm,I think so, but still..you guys were more suited to each other..'
Julian continued eating, unaware of the turmoil inside her.

'Forget that! Tell me about yourself..any new love interest..ohhh..'
She gave a knowing smile, when he looked here and there.
'Who is she? Come on! Tell me..'
Erisha laughed at him, teasingly.

It was exactly like that, that a pair of eyes found her from across the restaurant.
Eyes that narrowed, when they realised that she was with a man, a man whose face that couldn't be seen since he was facing away.

Treyton listened with only half an ear to what Marissa was going about, as she saw Erisha.
His heart lurched, as he saw how beautiful she looked, and he felt his muscles tighten.
What the hell? She's on a date? With somebody else?
Feeling like getting up and confronting her, he jerked to a stop.
And what are you doing? Aren't you doing the exact same thing? So why is it bothering you if she has moved on?
He narrowed his eyes, as she lifted her hand, and put it on top of her companion's, squeezing it lovingly.
Who the hell is that? I..

'Treyton? What's wrong? Why do you look angry all of a sudden? I was just teasing..'
Marissa's voice brought him back from his thoughts.

'Yeah..alright!'
His voice was suddenly curt.
'Are you done eating?'
He asked Marissa, who was looking at him in confusion, at his sudden behaviour.

'Yeah, almost..'

Treyton motioned to the waiter, who had been on standby.
'Rechnung..cheque..'

Marissa quickly finished her food, putting down her cutlery, a bit bewildered.
Treyton didn't even pay her much attention, his gaze going back again and again to where Erisha looked happy with her date.

'Schatz..'
Marissa took hold of his arm, as he made to hurry out of the restaurant.
'How about we go back to my place for coffee? You didn't even let me have any..'

Treyton glanced once more at the table with Erisha, before exiting.
His driver quickly opened the doors for them to be seated.
'Haus der Dame..the lady's house..'

Marissa smiled to herself, glad that he had decided to take up her offer.
I still have a chance with him..
She was still smiling, when after a quiet ride to her apartment, Treyton got off with her.

'I'm glad..'
Marissa began, but he cut her off.

'This was obviously not a good idea..'
He was direct, as he stopped at her door.
'We really have nothing going for us any more, and I am sure you understand that now..'

'But, Treyton! You came with me for dinner, you are here at my place..'

'Only to drop you off! I have something important to do..'

Marissa caught his hand, and brought it to rest on her heart, over the red short dress she had worn, simply for the reason of enticing him.
'Does this feel like we have nothing going for us? We were great as lovers..'
She shifted a hand to the front of his trousers, but Treyton shifted back.

'What are you doing? I told you I am not interested in this anymore. Nothing you try will help, so don't demean yourself by doing this. You are a smart, intelligent woman, who can get any man she wants..'

'But I want you..'
She pushed herself against him, putting her arms around him.
'Only you, Treyton!'

Treyton removed her arms with a slight force.
'Stop this, Marissa! I only agreed to go out with you because you wanted it for old time's sake..'
Liar!
'But there's nothing there any more..'
Marissa made a very dejected face, as Treyton moved away from her.
'I'm sorry..but this is it!'
He pushed his hands in his pant pockets.
'And I have some urgent work, so..I'll go now..take care!'
With that, he pivoted around, and hurried back to his waiting car, not even looking back at the woman left standing on the pavement.

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

'Thankyou, Erisha! I had a great time! It had been too long since we had a chat like this..'
Julian hugged her outside her door, when he came to drop her off in his car.

'Indeed! But, remember. I should be the first one to meet this mystery woman of yours..'

'I told you her name!'
Julian chuckled.
'So, she's not a mystery any more..'

'Yeah, okay! I'd love to meet Shelley..soon!'

Erisha gave him a peck on his cheek, before exchanging good byes, Julian walked back to his car, whistling.
He was unaware, that a car was parked some distance away, the driver watching, as he sat in his car and drove away.

Erisha's smile disappeared the minute Julian left, and she turned to move inside her building.
She had had a fun evening with Julian, but why was she feeling this restlessness, now that she was alone?

She hurried out of the elevator, and opened her door.
She had just switched on the lights, and was shutting the door, when a hand pushed it open, causing her to stumble backwards.
'What the..'
Her eyes widened in astonishment, as she saw Treyton, a very furious Treyton.
'What the hell do you think you are doing? Creeping up..what..'
She stopped, as he pushed himself inside, and shut her door.

'What the hell do you think you are playing at?'
He fumed.

'Excuse me?'
Erisha glared at him.
'What is the meaning of this..no!'
She exclaimed, as he came at her and pushed her against the wall, his hands gripping her shoulders.
She pushed at him.
'Stop it! Let me go!'

'Not until you tell me what you think you are doing!'
He shouted.

'I was entering my house, when you ambushed me..'

'I'm not amused, Erisha!'

'Neither am I, Herr Elrod!'

Treyton paused at that.
'Oh! So that's how it is! I'm not even Treyton after you found yourself another man, is that it?'

'Anoth..what are you talking about?'
She kept her fists on his chest, as he leaned over her.

'The man who you were just kissing at the door..'
Erisha gasped.
'The man who came to drop you home, the man you were having dinner with tonight at a fancy restaurant..'
With every complaint, his voice got louder and louder, and his grip on her shoulders tighter and tighter.

'Let go!'
Erisha finally pushed him away, and he staggered back, his eyes still brooding.
She didn't bother to ask how he knew all this, when it was obvious that he had seen something.
'You are crazy! And a big one to talk! I was not kissing any man outside my door, unlike you..'

'Who was he?'
Treyton clenched his fists.

'What business is it of yours?'
She threw right back.

'Busi..hell, yeah, it's my business!'
Treyton narrowed his eyes.

'Oh really? You are one to talk! Kissing a woman in your office where any one can walk in and see!'

Treyton paused in the act of saying something, his head reeling from her words.
'What?'
How did she know that?

'Nothing! Now just get out of my house! I'm not answerable to you!'
Erisha made to move away from the wall.

'Hell, yes you are!'
Treyton was quick, and caught her arm, pushing her back against it, his chest hitting hers.
The impact was such, that they both stood there, breathing hard for a few seconds.
The atmosphere shifted as crazily as quicksand, and they both paused.
Unable to help himself, Treyton raised a hand to hold her chin, his gaze locked with hers.
Desire flared in both of them, their breathing getting heavier, as Treyton leaned over to kiss her.
Erisha closed her eyes, wanting..needing to feel his lips on hers.
Just as his lips were about to touch hers, her phone rang, startling them both.

Erisha looked at him, before pushing him back.
He moved back, unable to believe how quickly things had escalated.
What the hell are you doing here, Treyton?

Erisha grabbed her clutch from where it had fallen on the floor, and took out her phone.
It was an unknown number, but she connected the call.
'Hello?'

'Erisha..'
A voice whispered.
'My child..'
Nanna!

'Hello! Yes! It's me! What's wrong?'
Erisha was immediately concerned.
Her grandfather never called her.
'Are you okay, I..'

'You were right, my child.'
His voice was still a whisper, as if he was trying  to be careful so no one could hear him.

'About what? What is it? Please tell..'
Panic began to rise within her.

'My life is in danger..'
He said, before the line suddenly went dead.

To be continued...