'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW?'

The reception staff shivered with nerves, as Treyton Elrod shouted at them.
'How can you all be so irresponsible? Is this what the residents of this building pay you for?'
Treyton was furious.
Ever since he had discovered that Erisha couldn't be found, but her luggage was here.

Treyton had woken up feeling guilty for his behaviour with Erisha last night.
Maybe I'm pressuring her too much! She asked for time, and I'm not giving her any! Instead, I'm just rushing her into accepting what I want..she loves me, I know she does..and eventually she will give in..but why am I not giving her the space to decide on her own?
Because, you are too impatient..
His conscience scolded him.
You can't live without her..you have it bad, Treyton Elrod..

So, as soon as he had reached his office, giving her enough time to wake up and reach work, he had called her.
She hadn't answered, so he guessed, she must have gotten busy at work, and would call him when she was free.
He had forgotten for a while with his work then, especially when he had received the news that Steven Huber was trying to get bail for his brother. He had been in talk with several lawyers, trying to convince them of false acclaims on David Huber. But, no lawyer was willing to cross Treyton Elrod and his legal team, because of his influence over several businesses.
The thought of David Huber moving about freely left a foul taste in his mouth, and fury, at all he had done to him, Erisha and KK.
So, he had been furious, after finding out that Steven Huber wanted to meet him, to discuss work. He had given Irma strict instructions, not to let Steven anywhere near him or his office.

It was only after settling this, that he had realised, Erisha hadn't called him back. Blaming it on the downfall of business due to the damages done to her shop, he had convinced himself of the same.
But, at lunch time, he decided to go and give her a surprise visit, taking her favourite hotdog from Würstelstand Leo, knowing she would love the gesture. He could already imagine the joy on her face at seeing him there, and couldn't keep his excitement, all the way from his office to her shop.
So, it was a kind of shock when he reached there, and Erisha was absent.

'She isn't here? Did she go to visit a client?'
Treyton asked her assistant, who had come hurrying over as soon as she saw him.

'No, sir! Erisha hasn't been in all day..she called me this morning asking me to hold the forte, and that she would be late, but it's lunch time, and I haven't been able to contact her since then..'
Her assistant looked worried, since her boss had never not kept her word.

'What do you mean? Where is she? I've also been calling her since morning, but there's no reply..didn't she say where she was..'

'I'm sorry, sir! I didn't even think to ask. But, Erisha has never done something like this. She always informs me if there is a delay or something. Her clients mostly want to deal with her, so I just fill in till she gets here..'

Treyton's frown had deepened, and he had quickly dialled her number again. But, like before, it went unanswered. He then dialled KK's number.

'Treyton! I was just on my way to the office to see you..'

'To see me? Why? Has something happened?'
Treyton asked immediately.

'Happened?'
KK sounded puzzled.
'Happened where? You were the one who asked me to visit the office today to complete the formalities..'

Treyton had forgotten about that with all the Huber business, and he gave himself a mental shake.
'Oh, yes. I'm sorry..but I'm afraid I'm not in the office right now..'

Treyton was surprised to hear KK chuckle.
'So, you found out did you? How did you like the surprise?'

'Surprise?'
Treyton was perplexed now.
'What surprise? What are you talking about?'

'Oops! Did I speak too soon? God, I'm such a..'
KK sounded upset.

'What are you saying, KK? I'm really not getting you..what is going on?'

'Actually, Erisha..'

'Erisha! Yes!'
Treyton emphasised.
'I called to ask you where she is..she's not answering my calls, and she's not at her shop..I just came here to..'

'Oh, I see! No, no! Relax!'
KK assured him.
'Erisha must still be at your place..that's where she was headed for this morning..'

'Erisha came to see me? At my place? How come I don't know..'
Treyton was really confused now.

'Because, she wanted to see your reaction when you went home and saw her things there..since she has decided to move in with you..'

KK's announcement stunned him.
Erisha? Moving in with him? She had wanted to surprise him? Damn!
'Oh, shit! And here I am, getting worried about her whereabouts. Thankyou, KK! You have given me the best news of the whole day!'
The excitement in his voice, caused KK to laugh wholeheartedly.

'My pleasure! But, please do act surprised when you see her, otherwise I'll be in hot water..'

'Oh, yes! Don't worry!'
Treyton had already started walking back to his car.
'Thankyou..and oh! You can go see Julian Finn at the office. He will guide you..'

'Okay, sure. Take care..'

Treyton was almost jumping with excitement, as he ordered the driver to go to his place.
She has decided she wants to be with me..she has agreed to my terms..oh God!
Here I was, worried why she wasn't replying, and there she is, making herself at home.. Erisha..I love you so much..

As soon as the car had stopped in front of his building, he had hurried to the elevator, his heart racing as it ascended.
Rushing out of it, he had started calling her name.
'Erisha! Erisha!'
He had run to his room, fully expecting her to be there, unpacking.
But, he stopped when he had found his bedroom empty. He had then checked the guestroom, planning to let her know how stupid an idea that was. She was moving in his bed. Nowhere else..
But, she hadn't been there either.
So, he had checked the whole place, shouting her name, till Gordon came out of his quarters looking astonished.

'Sir! Is anything the matter? You are here at this time..'

'Where is Erisha?'
Treyton had demanded.

'Miss Erisha?'
Gordon had frowned.
'Madam did not..'

'Yes, madam! Where is she?'
He suddenly gave a smile as he thought of something.
'She's in the kitchen, isn't she? Helping you make something I like to eat? Right?'
He moved past an astonished Gordon, shouting her name.
But the kitchen was also empty.

'Sir, Miss Erisha didn't come here..'

'But..KK said she came here..she was moving in..I..'
Treyton's shoulders drooped a little, and Gordon was beside him in seconds.

'Sir..are you alright?'

'Yes..I'm fine..'
Treyton knew Gordon would never lie to him.
'But, if Erisha didn't come here, then where did she go?'
Treyton frowned again.

Just then, the in-house intercom buzzed, and Treyton leapt for it before Gordon.
'Yes..'
He hoped it was Erisha.

'Herr Elrod, Stephanie here from the lobby.'

'Yes?'
Treyton sounded impatient.

'Sir, we found some luggage here..a suitcase and a couple of bags.'

'So?'
Treyton sounded irritated. He was worried about Erisha already.

'We have asked all the residents about it, but it belongs to no one. So, I just wanted to confirm..'

'No, the luggage isn't mine!'
He slammed the intercom back in its cradle.
He turned to take out his cell phone to call Erisha.

'Sir, you just said Miss Erisha was coming here to move in. Perhaps, the luggage belongs to her?'
Gordon stunned Treyton with his idea, and his eyes widened.

'Damn! You could be right! But, why would she leave her luggage in the lobby..nevermind..'
He called the elevator.
'I'll just go and check. Thankyou, Gordon! I didn't even think..'

'Sir, may I also come with you?'

Treyton nodded, and they both descended the pent house, Treyton's nerves stretching taut.
It was with almost trembling hands that he opened one of the bags, and found women's clothing, and knew it was Erisha's the minute he spotted one of her scarves.
'How long since you discovered this stuff?'
Treyton demanded.

'An hour ago, sir..'

'An hour!'
Treyton's voice rose.

'But, sir, we were calling everyone..'
Stephanie, the receptionist, swallowed.

'Okay, fine!'
Treyton put up his hand.
'Fair enough! But, what I want to know is why was the luggage left here? Why did not the owner take it up? Or if she wasn't coming up, why wasn't it sent over to the penthouse immediately? Gordon?'
He looked at his housekeeper, wondering where Erisha had gone after leaving her things.

'Sir, I wasn't informed, neither did madam let me know, or I would have picked them up myself if needed..'

'I'm so sorry, sir..'
Treyton turned around, as the receptionist spoke again. Her head was bowed.
'It is my fault..'

'What?!?'
Treyton tried to control his irritation.

'I..I got an urgent call this morning, and I..left the reception for a while..I don't..'
She stammered, looking guilty.

'You are saying you left the reception empty, and that's when Erisha arrived? Where were the security guards? Or any other staff? Dead or what?'
Treyton tried to be patient, but he was fast losing it.

'Their shifts were changing, so maybe..'

'Yes, sir! We were switching duties, so went to take a round around the building..'
The guard also spoke up, although he looked nervous doing it.
Everyone knew Treyton Elrod, and no one wanted to get on his wrong side.

'What nonsense!'
Treyton was getting more hyper by the minute.

'Sir, when I came back, the stuff was here, and thinking that maybe one of the residents left it, I put it behind the counter. Then I got busy, and forgot to ask everyone..'

'How irresponsible!'
Treyton shouted now, and several other staff also came running.

'Sir..'
Gordon interrupted his ire.
'Why don't we check the CCTV cameras?'
He pointed to a camera above the reception desk.

Treyton looked at him, as if he had just been punched.
He had been too busy worrying about Erisha to think straight. The thought hadn't occurred to him so fast.
'Yes! Hurry with it..'

The security guards fell over themselves, rushing to the AV room to help.
Treyton was seated, while the other staff remained standing, ready to look for clues.

'Start from 8 am..and also show me the entrance..'
Treyton ordered, since he had left around then.

The time was coordinated, and the eight cameras covering the entrance of the building, including the lobby and elevators was visible.
Treyton's eyes were mostly fixed on the main entrance door camera, although he did notice the receptionist leaving the lobby at 8:15, talking on the phone. So, she hadn't been lying.
Suddenly, he saw a cab stop at the door at 8:35, and knew it was Erisha.
Sure enough, he saw Erisha get off the car, and the driver getting off after her.
'There! That's her!'
He pointed to the camera showing the entrance.

They turned to look at the reception's footage, as Erisha entered the building, the driver following her with the luggage, which he deposited near the reception desk.
Erisha paid the man, who then left the building.
Erisha turned towards the desk, looking around.
Even through the pixilated image, Treyton could see the smile on her face, and his heart lurched.
She looks happy..to surprise me..
As they all watched, Erisha moved to the desk, but still hesitant.
Since all eyes were on Erisha, they almost missed someone else entering the building.
Erisha picked up the intercom, but just then, someone came behind her and the screen went blank.
Treyton jerked off his chair, the chair rolling on its wheels, as he stood up.
'What the hell!?!?!'
He was furious.
'Where's the next scene? What happened to Erisha?'

'Sir, look at this camera..just a few seconds before..'
A guard pointed to the entrance door again, and everyone turned to see.

At this angle it could be seen, that a figure, dressed in dark clothes with a hoodie covering the head, had entered the building, and had stopped to look around. Keeping their head lowered, they had approached Erisha, and just as they stood behind her, this screen also went blank.

'How the hell could this happen? In broad daylight? This is a secure building, which apparently is not so secure anymore! A woman has disappeared, the security cameras have been tampered with, and no one gives a damn!'
Treyton had already started dialling the police.
'Hello officer! Treyton Elrod here!'

The security personnel were literally shaking in their boots at Treyton Elrod's rage.
They made several attempts to recover the footage, but it was obvious someone had meddled with it.
And since it had never happened before, they didn't know what the owner of this building would do.

'Yes! Come immediately!'
Treyton was still shouting over the phone.
But, as soon as his call was over, he turned his death glares towards them.
'This is not over! If anything happens to Erisha, I'll personally finish you and your security company!'
With that, he strode out of the AV room, Gordon on his heels.

'Mr. Elrod, please stay calm..'
He tried to pacify Treyton, as he began to pace the reception area.

'How can I stay calm? Erisha is missing since morning, and I've only just discovered that someone what..abducted her? In broad daylight?'
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
'If something happens to her, I don't know what I'll do!'
His voice sounded strangled, and Gordon put a hand on his shoulder.

'Please, sir! You have to be strong, or else how will you find out who did this?'
Atleast, Gordon was more composed than he was.

'It's not easy, when the woman I love is in danger!'
Treyton said quietly, but Gordon heard him, and nodded.

'The police is arriving, they will find her.'

Soon enough, Officer Dane and his team arrived, and Treyton filled him in to all that had happened.
After watching the CCTV footage, the officer was sure that Erisha had been kidnapped.

'Has there been any call for ransom?'
He asked, but Treyton just shook his head.

'No! I don't even know why someone would take..hey, wait a minute!'
Treyton exclaimed suddenly, his face contorting with fury.

'What?'

'I know who did this! And I swear to God, they are going to regret this..for ever!'

To be continued...