'Sir, don't forget the meeting..they..'

'I won't forget! I'm not a child!'
Treyton snapped, and saw Irma turn a shade darker in the face.
He put a hand on his forehead, and rubbed at the nagging headache there.
'I'm sorry..'
Which shocked his assistant even more.

'Sir, please..'
She stood up from the chair across from her boss, and picked up her things.

'No! I have no right to take out any problems I may be having on you..you didn't even do anything wrong.'
Treyton said resignedly.

'It's alright, Herr Elrod. You don't have to apologise. But if you don't mind me asking..are you not feeling fell?'
She asked, as Treyton rubbed his forehead once again.

'I have this persistant headache..ever since..'
He said without thinking, then realised what he was saying.
'I mean, could you get me some coffee?'

'Sir, if you haven't eaten anything, plain coffee won't do you any good. Should I get you a sandwich..and painkillers maybe?'
Irma looked concerned, since for the past ten days, her boss had been in a foul mood.
He had been snapping at the smallest of things, was inattentive at meetings, and was spending most of the time in his office.
Just yesterday, the security guard had told her how Treyton hadn't gone back home, and stayed the night here.
If it was any other man, she would have concluded it was a woman issue, but Treyton Elrod was not any ordinary man. He never let any woman get too close.
Maybe, just maybe..that woman..

'Irma!'
Treyton repeated, causing her to jerk out of her thoughts.

'Y..yes, sir!'
She snapped to attention.

'That painkiller, please..'
Treyton rubbed his forehead once more.

'Yes, sir! Right away, sir!'
Irma hurried out of her boss's office, giving him a last glance before she left.

Treyton waited for the door to close, before he leaned back in his chair, and shut his eyes.
What is happening to me? Why can't I get Erisha or her words out of my head?
Why does it hurt, when I think of her..and her illogical claim..that she will pay me back?
Pay me back? With money?
Treyton had known several women in his life, and most, after he had become a successful businessman. And they had all basked in the attention he had given them, the gifts he had lavished on them. They had offered him their bodies in return..never money.
I've never met a woman who offered me money in return for something I did for them..is that why I am so offended?
Treyton had gotten busy, it was true, but he had somehow gotten the time to ask KK about Erisha.
Why wasn't I able to talk to her?
Because you want her to want you..nothing else!
Treyton's eyes shot open at that.
Could that be true? Did he have more feelings for her than he had thought? The thought of her thinking the worst about him..that he would take her money..it bit..and bit hard.
He liked her more than his other women companions..Erisha was funny, witty, sensible..and he wanted her more than anything..or any woman he had known..

Treyton got out of his chair, and sauntered over to the picture window. He looked out at the busy streets, without really seeing anything, his mind busy juggling with what he now knew as the truth.
Erisha had crept past all his defences..and taken a place in his heart...

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

Somehow, KK had not been surprised.
He had noticed things, which even Erisha or Treyton had not, about themselves.
He had seen concern, he had seen the hidden looks they had given one another.
But he had also seen them fighting their feelings..oh yes, he knew these things..they were both struggling not to show it, but he knew..

After Erisha's confession, she had broken down in her grandfather's arms, and ended up telling him all that had happened. How David Huber had demanded she soften Treyton for his means using KK as the threat, how he had gotten Treyton abducted, how she had saved him..from KK's cottage in the countryside..everything.
Okay, maybe not everything..she didn't tell him how they had ended up in bed together.

KK had been appalled at David Huber's role in everything. And had privately wished him ill.
But he had also supported Erisha. Because he knew Treyton to be a good man, and he had been proud of the man he had become.

'Why don't you tell him so? Why mope around with the revelation by yourself?'
He had asked Erisha when she had stopped weeping.

'No!'
Erisha had been shocked at the notion.
'I can't do that! I can't bear rejection! He has no such feelings for me, Nanna..'

'How can you say that? I've seen the concern in his eyes, in his behaviour..'

'That was all just for your benefit! He had to show you that he treated everyone right..'
Erisha had been sardonic.

'That's unfair, my child. He was genuinely worried about you. I could see..'

'Yeah..'
Erisha had been sarcastic.
'That's what he wanted everyone to believe. Me too..'
A tear had again escaped her eye.
'But it was all a lie..I heard him..I know..'

KK had shaken her shoulder at that, frowning.
'What do you mean? What is it that you are not telling me, now?'

At his insistence, Erisha had ended up telling her grandfather about the conversation she had heard between Treyton and David outside her hospital room.

'Ohh..no wonder you were in such a hurry to leave..I understand..'

Although KK was in touch with Treyton, he did not mention anything to him. He didn't want Treyton to act on any feelings just because he had said something.
Both of them must realise on their own.

But, a few days later, he was astonished when Erisha made a decision.

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

Treyton had spent another sleepless night at home.

He had swum several laps in his pool, had run several miles on his treadmill, had lifted weights, but none of these actions had worn off his restlessness.
He had tossed and turned, and come to a decision.

First thing in the morning, he downed his coffee, and headed straight to his office.
But, it had started to rain, and the normal morning traffic became even more sluggish.

I have to clear this with her. I can't keep this offence as a barrier any more. I need to talk to her..let her know that I don't want her money..I want her..I need to be with her..

As the traffic finally moved forward, Treyton felt his heart pick up speed as well.
Today..I will go and tell her everything..today..

As he reached his office building, he hurried to his cabin.
He had some important papers to sign, after which he would be on his way to Erisha's place.

But, as he strode to his desk, and seated himself, his gaze fell on an envelope, weighed down with the help of a paperweight, right next to his laptop.
Usually, Irma dealt with his mails, and informed him only of the important ones.
But this envelope was addressed to him, personally, and not to Elrod Enterprises.

The flowy handwriting announcing his name seemed a bit shaky.
Curious, he picked up the envelope,and a whiff of some perfume wafted to his nose.
Something clicked, and he tore open the envelope to see.
And just as he had thought, it was like a nightmare come true.

Inside was a cheque, of an amount almost double of what he had spent, signed by Erisha.

Treyton dropped the piece of paper, as if it would bite him, and closed his eyes against the feeling of his heart dropping into his stomach.
No! No! No!
His mind chanted over and over.
I was too late in coming to a decision..too late..

He opened his eyes, and picking up the cheque with the intention of tearing it, he noticed another piece of paper sticking out from the envelope.
He took it out hurriedly, and was surprised to see a note from Erisha.

Treyton,

Thankyou for all you have done. I will always be grateful for your help, especially regarding my grandfather.

P. S. I hope the amount covers all the bills.

                              Erisha

Treyton almost shot out of his seat.
What in the world? How could she..I need to talk to her..
He hurried out of his cabin, the same way he had come in, in a rush.

'Sir! Herr Elrod!'
Irma called him from behind, but he kept walking.

'Later! I have to go!'
Treyton brushed her aside, and hurried out of the building.

His driver was surprised to see him back after such a short time, but quickly started the car without any questions.

The rain had continued, and Treyton reached Erisha's place much later than he would have liked.
It was just drizzling by the time he got off, and he brushed aside the driver's offer of an umbrella, hurrying over to buzz her door.
But just as he was doing so, the main doors opened, and someone came out. Treyton took the opportunity to go inside, when he almost crashed into the person coming out.

'I'm so sorry..Herr Elrod?'

Treyton looked up and was surprised to see Julian, who twinned his feelings.

'Finn?'
Treyton frowned.

'I was just on my way to the office..'
Julian looked sheepish.

'That's okay..'
Treyton was more interested in going up and meeting Erisha.
'I'm in a hurry..will see you later..'
He made to move inside the building.

'Sir, there's no one home!'
Finn called out, as Treyton would have gone in.

That stopped Treyton, and he turned back to Julian, frowning.
'No one home? But..'

'Don't you know?'
Julian looked amazed.

'Know what?'
Treyton felt lost.
'Where is Erisha? And KK?'

'They are gone..'
He lifted a bunch of keys, which Treyton hadn't noticed till now.

'Gone? You are not making any sense, Finn!'
Treyton was getting agitated.

'They must still be at the airport..I..'

'What do you mean? How..what..'
Treyton grabbed Julian by the collar of his coat.

'I..I'm sorry, Herr Elrod..I didn't know that you had no clue..Erisha and her grandfather are going back to India today..forever...'

To be continued...