'I'm never getting married..'

There was an awkward moment, as KK instantly became quiet, and Erisha reddened in embarrassment.

'Uh..I'm sorry, Treyton..I..'
KK cleared his throat, sounding uneasy.

Treyton suddenly realised that Erisha had stiffened next to him, and he turned to look at her.
But Erisha pretended to become busy, by lifting their plates and mugs from the table, before getting up to go.
'KK, can we talk later? Have to go..'
Treyton cut the call, and watched Erisha, as she set the plates on the counter, before moving towards the door, all without looking at him.

Erisha didn't know what to say or do in such a situation, so she made to leave the kitchen, as she thought he was still on the phone, but gasped, startled, as Treyton's hand snaked out to stop her.
She was in no way prepared, and the sudden movement made her lose her balance, causing her to land square in Treyton's lap.
A few seconds was all it took for a current to run through her entire being. Erisha immediately began to struggle to get off, but Treyton enclosed his arms about her, preventing her movements.

'Stop! What are you doing?'
Treyton groaned inwardly, as her hips ground between his legs. His t-shirt on her was too thin for him not to feel her soft bottom against his manhood.

'I..I need to go..I have to reach work..'
Erisha made an excuse, just needing to get away from him, and be alone right now.

'Not before you look at me..and talk to me..'
His hold on her tightened.

'I don't think there's much to be said..'
She muttered under her breath, before she stopped struggling, amazed to feel him hardening beneath her.

'Oh, come on..'
His voice was not too steady, as he tried to regain some control over himself.
Why is it, that the moment she touches me, I just want to bury myself deep within her..oh God! I've lost all my senses..concentrate on the matter on hand..
'Don't do this..'
He said, more to his conscience, than her.

Erisha swallowed, her throat full with several emotions.
'Don't do what?'

'Look at me, atleast..talk to me!'
His breath was hot near her ear, and Erisha closed her eyes, against his throaty command.

I don't know how to react after knowing that you don't want any commitment. I need to be alone to think..and being this close to you..I can't think, not at all..
Finding the strength from somewhere, she pushed at Treyton, getting off of him, and turned around to look at him.
'What? I said I have to go!'
Her tone was a bit harsher than she had intended.
'You may have the advantage of going to work late, but I have to be on time.'
She saw his eyebrows go up in astonishment, and she softened her voice.
'I mean, I have to go home and change first..'
She looked down at his t-shirt, suddenly feeling exposed. Which was funny, considering how she had spent the night.

Treyton's gaze also followed hers, his eyes flaring.
So damn sexy! And in my shirt..
He gave himself a mental shake, trying to concentrate on what she was saying, and stood up.
'Erisha..'
He moved towards her, desire in his eyes.

'Treyton!'
Erisha took a step back, halting him.
'Please!'
She understood his intentions, but she didn't have the strength, or that frame of mind, atleast not right now. She needed time to think.

'But, you can't go without telling me what has upset you!'
He sounded concerned, and that was almost Erisha's undoing.
'And you can't go dressed like this..'
He gave a small smile, to which she didn't react.

'Nanna!'
She said quickly, and saw him frown.
'Yeah..Nanna! He was quite worried about me..I need to go to him..'
Erisha excused, not looking very forthcoming, determination on her face.

Treyton stepped back.
'Okay! Fine! Go!'
His voice was flat.
'But, we will talk! Remember that!'
Saying so with some of his arrogance, he strode out of the kitchen, leaving Erisha feeling as if she was the one who had done something wrong..and not him.

Damn you, Treyton!

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

The whole day went from bad to worst after that.

Erisha had left Treyton's place, feeling utterly confused.
But even before that, she had been embarrassed, when she had found her clothes, undergarments and all, washed and dried, placed near the huge powder room in the hall.
Just the thought of Gordon washing her bra and panties, was extremely daunting, not to mention weird that he must have picked them up from the terrace too. So, she had been flushed by the time she had gotten ready to leave, and met Gordon at the lift. She had flamed with embarrassment.
He had however, been unaware of her discomfort, and had stopped her, asking her to wait, as 'Sir' would be ready any minute and would drop her, but Erisha couldn't face Treyton.
After making more excuses, she had hurried out, catching the first cab she saw, before Treyton made an entry.

Then, on reaching home, an upset KK had met her, and it had taken her some time to convince him, that it was too soon to talk about marriage or weddings.
She tried to make him understand, that everything that had happened between Treyton and her was very sudden, and they needed to come to terms with it, before jumping to wedding bells.
At the end of it, she realised, that she had been trying to assure herself as well, but judging by the confident way Treyton had negated KK's teasing, it hardly seemed otherwise.

Then to top it all off, a short circuit at the shop, had destroyed several valuable pieces of antiques, and Erisha had had to deal with suppliers, clients, electricians, and whatnot.
There was a huge monetary loss, not to mention extreme tension for Erisha.
She had to explain things to her clients, place new orders, and get her shop repaired.

It took her the whole day to sort out things, and she got no time to even think about Treyton or his announcement.
Till she went back home.

'It's certainly terrible! Do you need any more help? Are you insured?'
KK sounded really concerned now, as she relayed everything to him.

'Yes! Thank God!'
That was atleast a huge relief for her. Property, damages, they were all very expensive.
'I've done all I can..it took me all day, but I managed. Thankyou, Nanna for this..'
She indicated the curry and rice she was in the process of eating, which her grandfather had already prepared, saving her the time of cooking something.
She might not have even eaten after the day she had had, but KK had been great in that regard.

'You had to eat, and so did I..I was free..'
KK shrugged his shoulders.
'By the way, Treyton called a couple of times, said he couldn't get through to you?'
He looked at her in the midst of lifting his spoon to take a bite.

'What?'
Erisha had been busy thinking of more work that needed to be done at the shop tomorrow, and only heard Treyton's name.

'Your phone? Treyton couldn't get through?'
KK repeated again.

'Really?'
She got up to pick her phone from the counter.
'Ohh! My battery must have died!'
She sat back down to finish her food.
'I was on the phone all day, didn't get time to charge it..'
She shrugged, wondering what Treyton had to say now.

'That's okay..just call him back. He sounded worried..'
He was satisfied when Erisha nodded.

It was only after her grandfather had slept, and she had settled in her bed, that Erisha got the time to call him back.
But, when she saw the time, she hesitated.
I don't know what time he sleeps. I don't even know what he likes, doesn't like..I just know that I love him..but him not wanting to get married means..what does it mean?
Will I just be his girlfriend till he tires of me? Last night everything seemed sooo good..there was no time to process anything..but today..

The sound of her phone ringing startled her, and she was surprised to see Treyton's name flash on the caller ID.
Her heart began to beat faster, as she connected the call.

'Where have you been all day? I've been going crazy trying to reach you..'
He fired off as soon as she said hello.

'And hello to you, too..'
Erisha said sardonically.

'Don't play smart! I had to ask KK, but he didn't know anything either..'
Treyton was irritated, and the feeling came across the line.

'I was busy..at work. My phone's battery died. I didn't realise..'
Erisha got in, before he overrode her excuse.

'Well, you should have!'
His voice had raised in anger.
'I was busy too, but that didn't stop me from calling you!'

Erisha became silent, astonished at his behaviour.
And so did Treyton, when Erisha didn't respond.
She heard him sigh loudly.

'Erisha! I'm sorry!'
His voice softened.
'I don't know why..but I needed to speak to you, and when I couldn't, I just kind of went crazy..and now that I finally am..I went hyper on you! I apologise..'

'No! Please!'
Erisha felt her mood lift at his explanation.
'You don't have to..I'm sorry..I should have thought..I just had a hell of a day today and it completely slipped my mind to charge my phone..'
She told him what had happened at work.

'Oh God! Why didn't you say so? I'll send someone over tomorrow to help..'
He was instantly remorseful.

'No need! I managed!'
Erisha thanked him.

'If you need any help, please let me know..'
He offered.

'Sure, thanks!'
Erisha said, settling back on the pillows.

'Have breakfast with me tomorrow!'
Treyton's sudden change in topic caught her by surprise, and she sat back up.

'What?'

'Breakfast! Tomorrow!'
He repeated.

'Uhm..I..'

'Don't say no! I want to see you. I want to make some things clear, and that can't be done over the phone. So breakfast..unless..'
He paused, and Erisha felt her heart flutter apprehensively.

'Unless?'
She cleared her throat against the sudden constriction there.

'Unless you let me come over right now..we can talk..and..'
His tone lowered, soft and husky, his motive not lost on her.

Temptation raised its' ugly head, but Erisha pushed it back down. She needed to hear what he had to say first.
'I don't think that's a good idea'
She said with some regret.
'It's late, and I'm really wiped out..so..'

'Yeah..'
He sighed, his disappointment obvious..
'I guess you are right..so we are meeting for breakfast?'

Erisha smiled at his confident assumption, that she wouldn't refuse. But, she knew that it was also what she wanted..to see him, talk to him..
'Where?'

'Hmm..how about your favourite cafè across from my office?'

'Yeah, okay..'
She said, trying to sound nonchalant, as if the thought wasn't building up an excitement within her.

Treyton was reluctant to end the call, even after she confirmed that she would be there.
But Erisha was already getting edgy about what he wanted to tell her, and ended the call with the excuse of being really sleepy, before she could end up calling him to her place right now.
He left her with a 'dream of me' and as if he had willed it, that's what she did, as soon as she fell into a deep slumber.

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

Erisha was late.

Having had a restless night, she had almost missed her alarm.
After that, she had rushed around, washing her face, taking a shower, taking out clothes to wear.
Usually she selected her clothes for the morning a night before, but yesterday she had been too strung up to remember.
So, she wasted precious minutes choosing and  discarding several pieces of clothing as being unsuitable for her date with Treyton.
Finally, in what seemed like ages, settling on a lavender jumpsuit, which she teamed up with a printed scarf around her neck, she had gotten ready.
By the time she had dashed out, it was half an hour past the time she had had to leave.

So, as soon as the cab stopped at the curb where the cafè was located, she hurried out of it, taking quick strides.
She spotted him instantly, his head visible amongst the busy breakfast crowd. Treyton was easily one of the most gorgeous men in the place, so smiling at her fortune, she headed towards him.
He was sitting near the window side of the cafè, an area which was rarely taken, because the outer tables were placed more for the light and breeze.
He wants privacy for whatever he has to say..oh God! Why am I so nervous, as if I'm going to get some bad news?

She heard a few whistles from men she passed, and felt her confidence build up, that at least she looked good.
But, as she finally reached Treyton, she came to a complete stop.

For Treyton Elrod was now standing near their table, hugging a woman.

A very beautiful woman.

To be continued..