Treyton Elrod had never actually done this before.

He did like choosing his women, but he had never had to chase someone like this. The thought was somehow exhilarating, and he could feel his pulse racing, as he crossed the road, and reached the cafè.

It was a French bistro-cafè, one of many that Vienna was famous for, with indoor, as well as outdoor dining. The tables on the pavement, were protected from the sun, by large umbrellas, decorated prettily with flowers.
Since it was almost lunch time, the place was nearly full, it being a very popular hangout.
Treyton had often seen it from his office window, and knew it drew the nearby office crowd at this time. He had thought to invite Marissa here only, but what he needed to do with her, needed privacy. And so he had gotten Irma to book a table at an elite restaurant, famous for its ambience and privacy.

Treyton strode to Erica's table, totally unaware of the looks he himself was getting from the females and males alike, his gaze focused solely on his target.
And what a target.
She looked beautiful sitting there, wearing a yellow top, with a long printed full skirt. One leg was crossed over the other, and her painted toenails could be seen peaking from khaki coloured sandals. Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, sunglasses resting on her head, her head bowed over, what he now saw was a book. She was reading, a coffee mug in her hand, in the middle of the afternoon traffic, and the hub of the cafè, seemingly unaware of the noise, or as to how appealing she looked.

Treyton's heart picked up speed, as he moved closer.
'Mind if I join you?'

Erica looked up, startled, at the deep voice, so lost had she been in her book.
She was stunned to see the famous Treyton Elrod looking down at her, his head cocked to one side, as he waited for her reply.
Treyton Elrod!!
Her mind screamed.
He looked absolutely gorgeous, dressed in a charcoal grey suit, over a white shirt, paired with a royal blue tie.
His green eyes reflected a bit of the blue, making them look different. His stance was easy, hands in his pant pockets, as he gestured to the chair across from hers.

'Hello...Erica, right?'
His voice made her realise that she had been sitting there staring at him, her lips parted in astonishment, while he was speaking to her.

'Uh..I don't..'
She began.
Think so..
Her mind completed, as without waiting for an answer, he pulled back the chair, and sat down.
He remembered her!
Not wanting him to see how his sudden appearance had affected her, she quickly uncrossed her legs, hiding them under the table, as she put down the cup she held, on it.

Treyton noticed.
Her shock, his effect on her. The way her brown eyes sparkled. The way she straightened up, to hide herself from his view. Everything.
'Nice place! You come here often?'
Treyton looked around casually, before his gaze settled back on her.

'Excuse me?'

Even her voice is husky..and sexy..like all of her.
He ran his eyes slowly over her, and watched her blush slightly.
'I asked, do you come here often?'

'I..'
She looked like she wasn't going to reply, her posture one of fight or flight, but then must have thought better of it, because she sat back in her chair, and shut her book.
'Actually, yes! I love this place! But, it's hardly a place someone like you would be gracing..'
He lifted his eyebrows at that.
'Not your type..'

'Someone like me!'
He leaned back lazily, as if he had all the time in the world.
'And what is my type?'

'Rich and arrogant, who think too highly of themselves, to be seen in a place like this. Who are ready to have everything under their control..be it people or a situation..'
She leaned on the table with her elbows, as she spoke.

Her cynical tone surprised him, as if she already had an opinion of him preformed in her head.
'Hmm..very skeptical of you..'
He leaned forward as well, putting one elbow on the table, and she subtly moved back.
He noticed, and smiled inwardly.
'But opinions can be changed..I could prove you wrong..'
His tone suggested that he wasn't just talking about her belief about the rich anymore, but something more personal.
He held her gaze, and saw a sudden flare in them, which excited him.
He saw her swallow, as if she sensed the undercurrents passing between them.

But just then, her phone rang, breaking her trance, and she quickly broke eye contact.
Treyton was disappointed.

Erica quickly fumbled for her phone, and he saw her expression change as she saw who the caller was. She connected the phone, and her eyes shot up to Treyton's face.

'Hello? Yes..'
Her posture became somewhat stiff, and Treyton, who was watching her every move closely, noticed.
'Alright..I'll be there..'
She cut the call, and got up.

Treyton saw something in her eyes, that could be worry or some realisation, and his curiosity was piqued.
'Everything alright?'

His voice stopped her, in the act of her picking up her book, and her bag next to it.
'Yes! I have to go..'
She looked up to see Treyton also standing now, his height making her feel small, as he moved closer.

'Erica..'
He lifted a hand towards her without thinking, but she moved back, nodding to him, and before he could do or say anything to stop her, she had become part of the crowd up ahead on the footpath.

The honk of a horn, had him start, and he realised he was staring after her, his hand still in mid air. He quickly put it in his pocket, and turned to see his car, with the driver getting off to open his door.
He turned back once more to glance where Erica had disappeared.
What is it with this woman?
Damned if I know!

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

Treyton could feel a headache setting in.

Two days after he had broken up with Marissa, she was still after him.
Treyton had let her down as gently as he could, but the woman had been unable to handle it.

'What do you mean, not see each other anymore? But we are good together, and you know it!'
Marissa had caressed his hands over and over.
'We understand each other, have the best sex, and you like me..I know you do..'
Her voice had cracked, as she had begun to sniff.

'Oh, please! No crying! This is a restaurant for God's sake! Don't create a scene! You knew from the start how it was..'
Treyton had found her tactics irritating.

'But, Treyton! Schatz! What we have..'

'Had!'
Marissa had blinked.
'What we had, Marissa! But it's over now..'
Treyton had been firm.

She had looked at him for the longest time, as he had continued eating his lunch, as if nothing was amiss.

'Is it another woman? Is that it? You have found someone else to grace your bed?'

Treyton had stopped in the middle of cutting his steak, and given her a glare.
If only I had found her! She still remains a mystery..out of my reach..
'I don't think you need to know..the point is..we are over! Understood?'

'Alright..if that's what you want..'
Marissa had been quiet after that.

But, ever since then, she had been calling him at intervals, or texting him.
And just now, he had received a huge bouquet of flowers, with a card, saying 'I miss you'.
Irma had hurried out with the basket, seeing Treyton's annoyance, on seeing it on his desk.

His life was a mess.
He couldn't find the woman he was thinking about.
He had taken out the Harley, in the hope of catching up with her again. But that had been a no go.
Treyton Elrod..you are mad!

On the other front, the car in the video had been traced.
It belonged to none other than David Huber, and not the person in the khaki coat, who still remained unidentified.
Another dead end.

Treyton was ready to pull his hair.
He had never had to deal with these things before, but this was really taxing on his nerves.

'RING! RING!'

The bell of Treyton's phone pulled him out of his thoughts, and he saw the detective's number.

'This better be good!'
He replied to the Hello.

'Herr Elrod!'
The detective sounded a bit animated.
'I have something for you!'

'Sag es mir einfach! Just tell me!'
Treyton was really in no mood for jokes right now.

'There's a party tonight. At the Hubers!'

'So?'
Treyton made a face.
'What does that have to do with anything?'

'Sir, your culprit is bound to be there..'
The detective sounded very sure, and Treyton straightened up in his chair.

'How do you know this? Why would he risk being seen in the enemy camp?'

'Because my snoops heard your name being mentioned by Steven Huber on the phone, when they followed him today.'

'They what..what was he saying about me?'
Treyton was fully attentive now.

'Something about taking things right from under your nose..'

'Was zum Teufel? What the hell!'
Treyton fisted his hand.

'And that he will see them tonight..in fact, he will send them the car to pick them up..'

'Where's this party being held?'
Treyton was fully alert now.

'At their hotel's ballroom..to celebrate their 'new' succession.'

It suddenly hit Treyton, that this was the party David had invited him to..to rub it in his face the fact that he had won over him.
'I'm going!'

'What? But sir, how can you..'
The detective sounded shocked.

'I was invited to this party by Huber himself! I had never planned on going, but knowing this..I can't let this chance go, to find out who has been fooling me!'

'My men can do that, sir! Why would you..'

'James! Just let me in on the details. I'm going to get to the bottom of this..once and for all!'

'If you are sure, sir..'
James gave him the where and when, and disconnected the call.

Treyton felt his adrenalin pumping.
'You are dead meat! Whoever you are!'

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

Treyton went late. On purpose.

He figured that the Hubers had no idea what was about to hit them, and so they could enjoy as much as they wanted. Before their enemy arrived, knocking their socks off!

Treyton dressed formally, before calling for his driver, from his twelfth floor penthouse in Innere Stadt, or District 1, as it was called.
As he waited, he looked down from the window of his luxurious living room, his mind focused on nailing the culprit tonight.

His phone beeped, and Treyton moved to his private elevator. Soon he was on his way to the venue.
About half an hour later, his driver was opening the door for him, at The Royale, a hotel owned by the Hubers.
Treyton got off, looking around at the people moving inside. His gaze found the car from the video, and he knew that his traitor had arrived.

The manager, although a bit shocked at seeing Treyton, quickly led him inside in the direction of the ballroom.
Treyton knew, his arrival would be the hot news in just a couple of minutes. It wasn't everyday that he fraternized with his rival.
But he couldn't have missed this chance. Never.

The party was on in full swing.
Music and laughter greeted him, as he entered the ballroom.
Several women turned to gawk, as they saw the eligible, dashing Treyton Elrod.
A buzz of voices followed him, as he headed to where he saw David and Steven Huber, at the centre of attention.
His eyes darted here and there, in an attempt to find the familiar face from his office.

As he approached the hosts of the party, people stopped talking, shocked on seeing him.
Some shifted places, as Treyton strode towards his rival.
David Huber was laughing at something a woman, whose back was to Treyton, was saying to him.

'Darling! You have the greatest sense of humour! I guess, that's why we merge so well!'

His latest fling! Doesn't she know what a devious bastard he is?
Treyton thought, as he reached David.

It was Steven Huber who noticed Treyton, and his eyes widened.
He almost dropped the champagne glass he was holding, in shock.
He quickly nudged his brother with his elbow, causing David Huber to turn.
'What is it? Can't you see I'm busy..'
David's voice trailed off, as he laid eyes on what Steven was trying to show him.

As Treyton noticed their sudden shock and discomfort on seeing him, his adrenalin pumped, giving him great satisfaction.

But in the next second, it was his heart which almost lurched to his stomach.
Because, as the woman with David turned around to see what had happened to stop the conversation, Treyton came face to face with the biggest blow.
For she was none other, than Erica!

To be continued...