'What the bloody hell is your force doing? How can you not have any leads?'
Treyton shouted into the phone.
'A woman has been missing, and you have no clue where she might be!'

'Sir, we are trying our best..'
The voice at the other end got in, before Treyton blasted again.

'Well, it's bloody not good enough!'
Treyton swore again.
'You have only twelve hours, before I get someone else on this case!'
With that, Treyton disconnected the call, and hurled his phone on his bed, where it fortunately landed in the middle of the mattress.

He wanted to fling whoever had taken Erisha with more force than this, but he felt absolutely helpless.
Erisha was a better sleuth than me. She found me when Huber had kidnapped me. But, I can't seem to do anything, despite all the resources I have!
Treyton was having only negative thoughts, and that was killing him.
I can't lose her! It's taken me so long to believe in love, so long to trust someone not to leave me..I can't just let her go..she's the best thing that's ever happened to me..

His phone rang again, and he leapt for it.
'Hello? Yes?'
He asked, without even checking the caller ID.

'Hey, Treyton! Marissa here..'
Treyton rolled his eyes, not feeling like talking to her or anyone else, unless it was to get news about Erisha.
'I'm calling you, to remind you for tomorrow..you know, the fashion show..'

Treyton was really in no mood to attend, and had been planning to make an excuse.
'Marissa, I don't..'

'Come on, Treyton! You promised..'
Her pout could be heard over the line.

'I didn't, actually..it was you who assumed it..'
Treyton made a face.

'This is not like you! You have never gone back on your word, ever since we have known each other..and remember? It was at a fashion show that we met for the first time..ah..those were the days..'
Marissa reminisced.

But Treyton had moved forward, and did not want to be pulled back in the past.
'That was a long time ago..and you know things have been over..I have someone else in my life now..'

'Unfortunately..'
Marissa's voice was sharper than normal.
'You know I wanted more from you. You weren't willing then. Then how come now?'
There was jealousy in her voice now.

'Marissa..'
Treyton tried to interrupt, but Marissa apparently had more to say.

'I was willing to do whatever you wanted! But ever since you met Erisha at the new year party..I..what does she have that I don't?'
Marissa was on a roll, her voice envious.

'Stop it, Marissa! Whatever happened between us in the past, is just that..the past. My future and what I do with it should not be your concern!'
Treyton sounded irritated.

'But, I wanted this! And, you know we were so great together..a woman knows these things..'
Her voice sounded angry now.

'Marissa, if this is all you want to talk about, I'm sorry, I don't think I want to continue!'
Treyton moved the phone away from his ear to disconnect the call, but he heard her calling his name.

'Okay, okay!'
Marissa changed her tone instantly.
'I'm sorry..but you have to be there tomorrow.. I've already informed the media..'
She quickly reverted to pleading.

'Then, that's your own fault. Now deal with it!'
He said angrily, before disconnecting the call, and throwing his phone on the bed again.

He was already at his wits end about Erisha, and this woman had nothing else to do but irritate him.
What did I even see in her?

Her body! The great sex!
His conscience replied back, and he made a face, knowing it to be true.
He had been a sucker for a beautiful woman from the start. His attitude towards them had been nothing to write home about. They had always been a means to an end. It was nice to have a good-looking escort when he went out in public. And ofcourse, the bedding part had been a plus.

But, ever since Erisha had come in his life, he had changed. She had brought out his tender side, his caring side, which had been lost in his bid to come out at the top.
Erisha...who had accepted him with all his faults, who had even agreed to have a live in relationship, because he wanted it..
Whereas this Marissa..she had sounded, and acted like a jealous cat ever since she had met Erisha the other day..and he had told Marissa about her moving in..

Treyton suddenly sat up straight, astounded at where his thoughts had led him to. Thinking back to everything, he couldn't believe himself for being so stupid.
Fury, disbelief and an excitement built up within him, as he knew what he had to do to find out.

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

'He will come! I know it!'
Marissa almost rubbed her hands together in elation, as she pocketed her phone and looked across the room.
'And it will be so exciting to see him under the same roof as you, but he won't be able to get to you!'

Erisha looked at the woman, whose beauty had been diminished by her maliciousness.
Ever since a while ago, when Marissa had revealed herself to her, Erisha had wanted to give her a piece of her mind. But the drasted tape on her mouth prevented her from doing so, although her glares were fully lethal.
Especially, after the one sided conversation she had just heard between her and Treyton.
Marissa had the gall to remind him of their times together, knowing full well he was in the midst of a relationship..a relationship with her.
He loved her..and wouldn't go back to an old flame..would he?

Lost in her turmoil, Erisha didn't see her bodyguard come from the side and remove the tape from her mouth, not too gently, at Marissa's gesture to do so.
She flinched with the discomfort, but didn't move her eyes away from her kidnapper.

'I could see that you were dying to say your mind..so, here's your chance..'
Marissa smirked.

'You won't get away with this..'
Erisha's voice was calm, so much that she herself was surprised by it, considering what she was feeling right now.

'Yeah? I don't think you have a say in it!'
Marissa came forward, her eyes filled with something akin to hatred.
'Treyton will never think of me, when he sets out a search for you..'
She chuckled with the thought, before she bent over Erisha's form to peer at her.
'So much for him wanting to dress you up in my designs..ha! When you won't come back to him, he will come back to me..'
She smiled evilly.

'Don't count on that!  Whatever was between you two is long over. He loves me..'

'Love?'
She said with derision.
'Love!'
Marissa burst out laughing.
'What's love got to do with it?'
She lifted Erisha's chin with the tip of her manicured finger, before narrowing her eyes.
'Sorry to burst your bubble, sweetie, but we both know Treyton Elrod has no place for love in his life! It's only lust..you must be good in bed, but it's just temporary..'

'Which is why you put me out of the way..you couldn't have him, so you won't let anyone else have him!'
Erisha wanted to hit the awful woman, but she had to make do with glaring, and fisting her hands.

'Yes! You could be right!'
Marissa stood back straight, and crossed her arms in front of herself.
'I do like to be in charge of things..which is why my boutique is so successful..'

'It won't be when you are caught by Treyton..he will never..'

'He will never trace your kidnapping back to me!'
Marissa's colour darkened with sudden anger.
'So, just shut up about it!'
She glared at Erisha, who glared right back.

'Once he finds out, he will hate you for doing this to me! He will never be yours either ways! So, save your sorry little ass, and let me go!'
Erisha shouted back.

'You!'
Marissa clawed her hands, as if she was going to scratch her face, and Erisha flinched, but didn't back down.
'I should have kept your mouth shut! You are a nuisance! Shut her up, for God's sake!'
Marissa turned to the bodyguard, who quickly came forward to apply tape on her mouth again.

Erisha struggled with her hand ties, even tried to kick him with her toes, but the mute man was unaffected, and stepped back only after the task was done.
Marissa had left by the time he did, and Erisha could only scream inwardly.
Treyton! Help me! Hurry up!

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

'I knew you wouldn't renege on me!'
Marissa came forward to greet Treyton eagerly.
As she made to lean over and kiss him on the cheek, Treyton smartly moved back, not allowing her to, and Marissa, after an initial surprise, gave a wan smile.

'I don't go back on my word..'
His eyes moved around the boutique, where the dress racks and furniture had been moved away, to make space for a runway surrounded by seating.
Marissa quickly led him towards that with cameras flashing, as the reporters followed.
No mention of Erisha, I see..she didn't even ask where she was..

'We are just about to start..'
Marissa gestured to the waitresses who had been hired to provide refreshments and champagne.
'Here..have some..'
Marissa lifted a glass from a tray, but Treyton raised a hand to decline.

'No, thankyou! If you would start the show..'
He flicked back the sleeve of his suit jacket to glance at his watch, meaningfully.

'Yes, yes, ofcourse!'
Marissa quickly hurried over to the stage and began making an announcement, so the show would start.

Treyton's mind was not on what was happening, but on what he had to do.
His gut feeling told him Erisha was here, and he had to find out.
Officer Dane had been informed, and his team was already about in casual clothes. He had already signalled to them.
He waited till the show was underway, and Marissa got busy with her models and the media, before getting up from his seat.

But, Marissa had been watching him, and hurried over to him.
'You are leaving already? There's still more to..'

'No, I'm not leaving! I need a rest room. I seem to have dropped champagne on my pants..'
That made Marissa look down at the stain of the drink, which Treyton had just deliberately thrown over himself.

'Oh, okay! Sure! Let me take you..'
She quickly began to lead.

'I'm not a baby! Just tell me where it is!'
His voice was irritated.
'Besides, the reporters are calling you..'
He pointed to where they were actually gesturing to her.

'Yeah..okay..sure..uh..just go down the corridor, then to the left. First door is my office..the bathroom is there..'

'Yeah, thanks!'
He made eye contact with one of the officers, who gave a nod, before hurrying down the corridor.
Heedless to the ruined pants, Treyton moved from one door to another, opening them and checking inside.
She has to be here, somewhere! I can feel it!

Treyton reached the end of the corridor with no luck, and was about to turn back to recheck, when he noticed a small stairway, that at first look had seemed to be hidden out of sight, but once he noticed it, he couldn't believe how he had almost missed it.
Glancing behind him, he quickly climbed the stairs, and lucked out.
For there was a room here as well.
This was almost too easy..
Sending a prayer heavenwards, he reached for the handle and was not surprised to see it had been latched from outside.
Looking to his left and right, his ears attuned to the sounds of the music coming from the ground floor, he opened the latch, and then the door.

He had just stepped inside to close the door, when someone hit him square in his back.
He grunted, before his defensive side came to the fore. He turned to see a large beefy looking, bearded man glaring at him.
He evaded another punch, by moving his head at the last minute, and the man's fist hit the wall, and he growled in pain.
'Erisha!'
He shouted, before punching the man again.

Erisha heard his voice, and tears almost pooled in her eyes.
He's here! He found me!
She couldn't call out, but she made sounds from her throat, trying to catch his attention.
I'm here!

She heard grunts and moans, and knew her bodyguard was trying to keep Treyton away.
She even saw Treyton go flying back against some boxes through the gap between more boxes.
Oh no! Please, don't let anything happen to him..

The clash between the two men continued till finally she heard a loud thud and then an ominous silence.
Erisha's heart jumped into her throat.
Oh God! Did he render Treyton unconscious? No, no! Nothing can happen to him..

Suddenly, the boxes in front of her were moved aside, and fully expecting the  enraged bodyguard, she was surprised to see Treyton, a slightly bruised but relieved Treyton.

'Erisha! Oh my God!'
Treyton rushed to her side, kneeling down to her level, worry evident in his eyes, as he carefully removed the tape covering her mouth.
'Are you alright?'
He brushed his thumb over her slightly sore lips when Erisha nodded.

'Treyton! Are you alright? That man..he hurt you..'

'I'm fine!'
Treyton brushed away her worries, before he began to untie her hands and feet.
'I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you..'
He finished untying her and framed her face with his hands.
'Are you really alright?'

Erisha could still see concern in his eyes, and knew that he genuinely cared.
He does love me..this is not just a fling for him..Marissa couldn't be more wrong..
'I'm fine..really! No one hurt me..'
Erisha stood up, and Treyton took her in a bone crushing hug.

'You don't know how it felt, when the thought of losing you hurt so bad..'
Treyton closed his eyes, relief running through his entire being at being able to see her, touch her.
The minute he had seen her, all tied up, he had felt all the anger, stress and worry leave him.
She was fine..
'Come on..'
He moved back, and took her hand in his.
'We have to leave before this guy wakes up..'
He gestured to where the large man was knocked out on the floor.
'And Marissa notices how long I've been missing..'

'Too late for that..'

They both looked towards the door, to see Marissa, flushed with anger.
Treyton moved Erisha behind him protectively.

'So, you found her..I guess wanting to use the bathroom was a ruse..'
She was still on the defensive.

'You are a despicable woman! That you would stoop so low, I could never have imagined! I don't know what I ever saw in you!'
Treyton's anger was now totally directed on her, and he lunged forward. He had never hit a woman, but right now it was the only thing he wanted to do.
Erisha, sensing this, took hold of his arm, in an attempt to prevent it. He stopped.
But Marissa flinched, and suddenly her whole demeanour changed.

'Treyton! I'm sorry! I..I couldn't bear seeing you so happy with someone else..I just wanted a chance with you..I loved you..'

'Love?'
Treyton almost spat at her.
'Do you even know the meaning of the word?'
He moved towards Marissa, and this time Erisha let him.
'Even I didn't, but Erisha taught me! With her, I discovered what it's like to be selfless, how to put someone else's happiness over one's own! She did for me what no one has ever done before..'

Erisha felt tears prick her eyes.
She was left with no doubt about his feelings for her, and knew that she had chosen the best man ever for herself.

'You don't know what love is! If you loved me like you are claiming, you would have been happy for me, not gone around kidnapping the woman who's my everything!'

Marissa looked stunned, so powerful was his way of expressing things.
'I...I didn't mean to harm her..just wanted her out of the way, so you could realise what we had had was good..'

Erisha couldn't even feel sorry for the woman after what she had done, and stood there looking at her plead her case.

'What we had was long over Marissa!'
Treyton sounded resigned now.
'I've told you that several times. I can't help it if you didn't take that as the truth! But, after what you have done, I'm sorry..I can't even feel sorry for you..'
Treyton looked beyond her.
'Officer, you can take her now..'

Marissa turned to look, her eyes widening in fear as she saw two men ready with guns pointed at her, before turning back to Treyton.
'No! Please! Don't get me arrested! I promise I'll never even come near you or Erisha again..my boutique..I have an event going on downstairs..I..'
Marissa implored.

'You should have thought about that before you did something so stupid!'
Treyton took Erisha's hand, and walked to the door.

'Please, Treyton..don't do this..I beg you..'
Marissa continued calling out, her pleas falling on deaf ears, as the officers took hold of her and Treyton left with Erisha.

Erisha watched her man, his jaw clenched, as he led her down the stairs, along the corridor, and out of the boutique.
His driver was ready and waiting with his car, and he seated Erisha first before coming round to sit beside her in the back seat.

The car moved away to enter the afternoon traffic, and Erisha leaned back in her seat.
But Treyton, he was tense still, and Erisha caught hold of his hand that was fisted on the seat between them. She gave it a squeeze, and he leaned back closing his eyes.

'It's alright..I'm alright..'
She assured him.
'Thankyou..'

That made him open his eyes and turn to her. Their eyes met, emotions darkening his green eyes.
Before she could say anything else, he had caught hold of her head, and his lips were on hers.
Erisha gave a small moan, having been deprived of the touch of him, before giving him full access to her mouth. His mouth plundered hers, a sheathed wildness palpable in him.
Treyton pulled her closer, running his hands over her shoulders and back, as if assuring himself that she was really there..with him.

'Oh God!'
He breathed out, when the kiss no longer allowed him to.
He pressed his forehead to hers.
'I love you so much..'
He moved back to look at her, his eyes showing evidence of that love.

'I love you too..I thought I'd never get to see you..'
She clasped his hand tighter.
'The mere thought was killing me inside..'

'Same here..'
He hugged her to his side, and Erisha leaned her head on his shoulder.
'I'd have searched the ends of the earth to find you..'

They sat together like that, content, till Erisha dozed off, obviously tired after her misadventure.
Treyton watched her, unable to keep his eyes away, feeling  thankful for being there with her.

It was as the car stopped after a while, that he gently shook her awake.
'Erisha..sweetheart..'

Erisha, still groggy from her nap, opened her eyes. Seeing him brought a smile to her face.
'Are we home?'

Treyton's heart swelled at her words, and he knew he had made the right decision.
'No, not yet!'
When Erisha looked out the window, and saw them parked in front of a large building, she frowned.

'Where are we? Do you have some work to do?'
Erisha looked at him enquiringly, as he got off the car, and came to her side to let her out.

'Yes, in fact I do! Something I should have done earlier..'
Treyton's expression didn't give anything away, as he held her hand in his and began walking.

'Okay..you are piquing my curiosity..what is it..'
Erisha looked around, never having been here before.

'This is the standesamt..'
Treyton reached a door at the far end of the corridor, before he opened it and let her in.

'Standesamt?'
Erisha frowned even more, as she rattled her brain for the word.
'Oh, you mean the vital statistics office, right? But why do we..'
She stayed standing at the doorway.

'Because we need an official..'

'To do what?'
Erisha's perplexed expression caused Treyton's face to break into a grin.

'To get us married, ofcourse...'

To be continued...