'Say what?'

Erisha managed to get out, her eyes as wide as saucers, as she stood there with her mouth hanging open.

'Yes, you heard me right! We are here to get married..'
Treyton looked down at her astonished face, and with the tip of a finger closed her mouth shut.

'B..b..but..you..I mean we..no..I mean you said..'
Erisha couldn't string a proper sentence, so stunned was she.

Treyton moved her against the wall next to the room they had been about to enter, as someone excused them to move past.
His eyes fixed on Erisha, he palmed her cheek.
'I know..I know I said I'd never get married, ever, because of my past..'
He tucked a strand of hair, that had fallen over her face, behind her ear.
'But, the past three days..'
His green eyes darkened with emotion.
'They have shown me, that I hadn't been thinking straight! I was so elated when I found out you are ready to move in with me, that I thought I couldn't be happier..'
He paused.
'But then, you disappeared. I went out of my mind. The thought of you..leaving me..'
He shut his eyes briefly before looking back at her, with fear and pain in his eyes.
'It made me realise, that I loved you so much, that it hurt..it hurt so bad! To have you snatched away from me, with no hopes of finding you..I..I couldn't..'

'Ssshhh..'
Erisha couldn't bear to see his pain anymore. She lifted a finger and placed it over his mouth.
'Please..stop!'
She swallowed past the emotions clogging her throat.
'I can't see you like this..I'm here..I'm here now..with you!'

'Yes! And I'm never letting you go! You are mine..only mine!'
The possessiveness in his words was mirrored in his eyes as he pulled her closer.
'Marry me, Erisha..'
He whispered against her mouth.
'Put me out of my misery..for I am incomplete..without you!'

'Try and get away..'
She pulled at his tie, bringing him closer, before leaning up to cover his lips with her own.

There was an instantaneous spark..because after the relief was over, there was only passion for each other.
They both forgot the time or the place, as they clung to each other, mouths devouring the other's.

'If I've already solemnised your marriage, go home or get a room!'

A woman's voice broke into their daze, and Treyton and Erisha sprung back, looking flushed.
A middle aged woman stood there, arms crossed over her chest, eyebrows raised as if she was looking at two petulant kids, instead of adults.
But her expression changed to one of surprise, as she saw who it was.
'Herr Elrod?'

Treyton looked at the woman, a frown replacing his passionate haze, trying to place her.
'Yes?'

'I'm Martha Higgs, the registrar who's supposed to be marrying you right now..'
She smiled, extending a hand to Treyton, who took it quickly.

'Oh, yes! I was told that when I called a little while ago.'
Treyton turned to Erisha.
'This is my to-be wife, Erisha..'

Erisha, who looked slightly baffled at hearing the word 'wife' associated with herself, also came forward to shake the woman's hand.
'Hello..'

'Yes, I figured that..'
The woman smiled knowingly, which caused Erisha to flush.
'If you would follow me, we will proceed right away..'
The way she said that, made it sound as if she knew how eager the couple was to go and be together.

Erisha blushed more, but Treyton gestured with his eyes. Nodding assent, she placed her hand in his, before they followed the woman inside a hall.
But, again Erisha stopped, stunned.
Because her grandfather was getting up from a chair, looking at them enter.

'Nanna!'
She looked at Treyton with happiness in her eyes, and he nodded.
Erisha let go of Treyton's hand, as she ran to hug her grandfather.

'My child!'
KK put his arms around Erisha, tears coming in his eyes as he looked at her.
'Thank God you are safe and sound! I had been so worried!'
He kissed the top of her head.

'I'm so sorry, Nanna!'
Erisha began to cry.

'Hush, my child!'
KK wiped her tears.
'I knew with my everything, that Trey will find you! And, when he called me a while ago to tell me to come here, I was overcome with joy!'
He looked so happy.
'I can't ask for anything more! You are so lucky!'

'Actually, it's me who's the lucky one!'
Treyton came behind them, his eyes on Erisha.
'Your granddaughter has turned my life around..made it worth living..'

'Herr Elrod, please come..'
Martha Higgs called from across the desk she had seated herself behind.
Two more people were sitting next to her.

Treyton nodded, about to move.
But then he stopped, slapping his forehead.
'KK, did you bring what I asked you to?'

'Oh, yes! How could I not?'

Erisha looked at them both, wondering what they were talking about.
But, she was surprised when KK picked up something from the chair, and it turned out to be a dress bag, the kind that carried dresses and gowns.
He handed it to Erisha.
'Where else will you get a man like this? Trey asked me to bring a dress for you to change into, so you wouldn't have to get married in the clothes you have been wearing since 3 days..'

Erisha looked at Treyton, who smiled at her astonishment.
'Hurry up, go change! I'll get the paperwork done till then..'

Erisha, dazed with all that had happened so suddenly, hurried to where someone pointed the bathroom was.
Once there, she saw that it was more of a dressing room, one where brides probably did their last minute checks, before they went out for their wedding.
She opened the dress bag, expecting her grandfather to have brought one of her old dresses from her apartment. But instead, she was stunned to see a new dress, baby pink in colour, its' bodice adorned with sequins of the same colour, the skirt dropping into a swirl of silk. It was beautiful, and Erisha was awed.
Her makeup bag, which she had brought when she had cone to shift to his house, was also tucked in the pocket, and her eyes widened.

Had Treyton known beforehand, that he wanted to marry me? How did he arrange this dress on such a short notice? And the makeup..he thought of everything, while I'm still in shock..

Erisha hurried to wash her face, and get dressed.
The dress was exactly the right size, and Erisha felt beautiful in it, a sweetheart neckline and thin shoulder straps hinting at her cleavage, without looking too exposed. The skirt flowed down to her mid calf, the silk soft against her legs.
She opened her hair, and wishing she had time to give it a wash, made do with brushing it, till it shone and framed her face and down her back.
Erisha applied a light pink lipstick, and lined her eyes with an eyepencil, before spraying on some perfume.
She looked at herself in the full length mirror, and twirled around, loving the look.
Just as she was done, there was a knock on the door.

'Erisha?'
KK's voice came through it.

'Coming, Nanna!'
Taking a deep breath, Erisha opened the door.

Treyton had just completed with the forms, when he felt Erisha come back into the hall, and he turned his head while speaking.
'Yes, that would be g...reat...'
His breath hitched in his throat as he set eyes on his bride.
Erisha looked absolutely gorgeous, and he couldn't move his eyes away.
He got up from his seat, and Erisha met his gaze. Her heart was in her eyes, as KK led her to his side.
'Perfect..'
He whispered, his tone suggesting that he wasn't just talking about the dress.

'Thankyou..'
Erisha whispered back, feeling butterflies dancing in the pit of her stomach at the desire in his eyes.

Treyton took her hand, and seated her next to him, while KK stood by.
While the woman spoke, telling them the rules and procedure, Erisha watched Treyton, unable to believe this was happening.
I don't know how I lucked out with the most amazing man ever..but thank you, God! I owe you..big time..
Treyton, feeling her eyes on him, turned to look at her awe stricken face.
'You have been really busy while I slept in the car..'
Erisha smiled at him, indicating the dress, and the hall.

'Nothing compared to what you have done for me..I love you..'

'Sign here, please..'
Before Erisha could reply back, the registrar was pushing some papers towards her.

Erisha nodded, before she picked up the pen, and signed her name, with a sure confidence that Treyton had given her.
Treyton did the same, followed by KK who acted as a witness to their union.

'Congratulations, Herr and Frau Elrod..'
The registrar beamed at them, excited at having been responsible for marrying the most eligible bachelor in Austria.

'Thankyou!'
They both replied.

'You may now kiss your bride!'
Martha Higgs seemed just as eager as the couple in front of her, and Erisha blushed prettily, remembering what had happened outside the hall just a while ago.

'Mrs. Elrod..'
Treyton whispered, before taking her lips in a breathtaking kiss.

The sound of throats clearing brought Erisha out of her trance, and she nudged at Treyton's chest, till he finally let her go.
He didn't look the least bit fazed, while Erisha reddened at the several pairs of eyes looking at them, including her grandfather's. But KK looked happy, and on closer look she could see dampness in his eyes.

'Congratulations to my favourite people in the world!'
KK hugged Erisha and then Treyton, as they came to stand beside him.

'Thankyou, KK! If it hadn't been for you, all this..'
He gestured to the hall, Erisha and himself.
'Would have been impossible on such a short notice..'

'Thank God I was free, and knew the registrar from before..'
He shrugged, as if he didn't deserve the credit.
'It all kind of fell in place.'
He placed a hand on Treyton's shoulder.
'I couldn't ask for a better life partner for my daughter-like granddaughter. Many wouldn't even think of something like a change of dress or a makeup bag..'

'Yes, that was very thoughtful of you!'
Erisha looked grateful.
'Or I'd have had to go through the best day of my life, looking like something the cat dragged in..'
She rolled her eyes.

'Never that!'
Treyton denied.
'You would still have looked beautiful..'
He met her gaze, and they both felt desire stirring.

'Ahem..'
KK said teasingly.
'You guys should get going now..'

'Oh, definitely!'
Treyton said, and what his tone suggested, brought a deep blush to her cheeks.

Amid good wishes, Treyton and Erisha left the office hand in hand.
Treyton didn't let go of her hand, even in the car.
Erisha felt her heart swell at his care and love for her. It had all been so obvious with everything he had done for her today.
She turned to him.
'Treyton, I love you..more than you can imagine..'

His eyes darkened with emotion.
'Not as much as I've come to for sure!'
He lifted her hand to his mouth, and pressed a lingering kiss, causing her heart to flutter.
'You have changed me in a way I thought no one ever could..I didn't even know what I had been missing all my life..'

'And now?'
Erisha gave him a teasing look.
'Will you miss what you did have?'
When Treyton gave her a questioning look, she laughed softly.
'Your freedom, perhaps?'

'After you, I don't need it!'
A look of anger passed through his eyes, sudden, but definite.

'I didn't..'
Erisha was taken aback at the unexpected change in him.

'You listen to me, and listen to me good!'
With a swift movement, he brought his hand behind her neck, and pulled her head so close to his, that she could feel his breath on her face.
'I can be a bad adversary, can do anything to get what I want, can even be dangerous, but I can never be unfaithful..like my mother!'
He said with a vehemence, the words torn out of him, twisting her heart.

'I believe you!'
Erisha lifted a hand to his cheek, in an attempt to calm him.
'I didn't mean it that way! I'm sorry..I..'

Treyton shut his eyes briefly, as her touch caused the sudden anger to drain away as rapidly as it had come.
He opened his eyes to see worry in Erisha's eyes.
'I'm sorry! I..didn't mean to attack you like that..I'd never hurt you..oh, God!'
He let her go, and moved back, turning his head away, upset with himself.

'Treyton!'
Erisha turned him to face her.
'I know you would never hurt me! You have always been so gentle and caring..please don't think like that!'
Her mouth turned down as he looked at her.
'I was just teasing, and it got so out of hand..I'm really sorry! I love you, and I don't care who was in your life before me..the now and the future are mine, I know it with every breath in my body..'
Saying so, Erisha reached over and kissed him.

A bit stiff at first, but gradually Treyton softened, leaning into her, his lips clinging to hers, as they assured each other of their feelings.
'I love you..thankyou..'
He said, looking grateful at her attempt to appease him.

Just then, the car stopped, and they realised that they were home, a home where they could now live together..forever..

Treyton and Erisha were warmly welcomed by Gordon, who looked extremely happy.
He had been smiling ever since Herr KK had arrived to take something his employer had asked him to.
He had told Gordon that his employer had found Frau Erisha, and that the two were getting married. Gordon had eagerly assisted the old man, even informing him of where 'madam's' luggage was.
And after he had left, Gordon had gotten busy on his own.
So now, as the newly wed couple arrived, and he saw the happiness on Treyton's face, he knew he had done the right thing.
'Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, madam!'

'Thankyou, Gordon!'
Treyton smiled at his trusted manservant, and was surprised to see his damp eyes. The man cared for him too much, and it was now visible.

'Yes, thankyou..'
Erisha smiled at him, too. She had already taken a liking to the man when he had helped her the day she had come to confess her feelings to Treyton.

'Welcome Frau Elrod..'
He folded his hands in front of his stomach and bowed.
'I've taken the liberty to prepare you a supper. Please, do not refuse..'
He added, as Erisha opened her mouth to speak.

'I wasn't going to..'
Erisha chuckled.
'I was going to say, thankyou. I'm famished!'

Treyton slapped his forehead in disbelief.
'Oh, God! How could I not remember?'
He looked at Erisha sheepishly.
'After your ordeal, you must be so hungry. And instead of feeding you, I had you traipsing all over the city..'

'But that too, I wouldn't have missed for the world!'
Erisha brushed away his worries, hooking her arm in the crook of his elbow.
'But now..we can eat..something smells heavenly..'
Erisha tugged at Treyton and began walking to the kitchen.

'Ma'am..not there today! I've set up the main dining table..'
And with that he led them towards a hall, that Erisha had not seen.

'Wow! This is beautiful..'
Erisha complimented the tastefully decorated room, adorned with a huge glass table, and lined by a seating area, where probably an aperitif or after dinner drinks were served.
What more, the dining table was now set up with tempting food, and Erisha left Treyton's arm to take a closer look.
'All this looks mouthwatering..'
She looked at Treyton, biting her lip, wondering if she was supposed to be so enthusiastic about something like food. She didn't know anything about the high life, and how the rich lived.
But Treyton was delighted by her eagerness, and hurried after her, to pull back a seat.

Erisha sat down, and so did Treyton, while Gordon began to serve them the food.
Having survived on sandwiches and water for the past three days, Erisha tried everything, from the delectable shrimp tempura, to the chicken steaks sautéed with vegetables and mushroom sauce.
'Gordon, this is amazing! I go to restaurants to have this kind of food..and here you have prepared them at home..simply outstanding...'

If it was possible, the elderly manservant blushed at the compliments.
'Thankyou, madam..'

'Hmm..seems like Gordon has gotten himself a big fan..maybe now I'll also get to eat all this good stuff regularly..'
Treyton smiled in amusement.

'Regularly? No!'

Erisha and Gordon both spoke together, and she actually saw a grin on Gordon's face.
'This food is for a celebration, not a daily menu..you will get the same food you have been getting..'
He paused, his eyes twinkling, as Treyton made a face.
'But, madam..you will have to brief me on what you like to eat..for you, I'll comply..'

Treyton's mouth opened in a gasp, while Erisha burst out laughing.
'How sweet of you, Gordon..'
Erisha turned to Treyton, her expression becoming serious, as Gordon left to bring dessert.
'This man loves you like his son..'

'Yes! He never expresses it, but all these years, he's never judged me, just taken care of me like his own..'

Erisha took hold of Treyton's hand on the table.
'I'm glad..that you had someone to take care of you..'

'And I'm even gladder..'
Treyton squeezed her hand.
'To finally have someone I can take care of..for life..'

After dessert, Treyton took her hand in his, and at Erisha's insistence, showed her around the rest of the pent house.
It was all tastefully decorated, and Erisha could only gape in awe.

'This has always been a bachelor's pad, so if there's anything you want to change or refurbish..you have a free hand..'
Treyton told her.

'You have to be kidding! This is all so beautiful..perfect infact!'
Erisha was shocked that he would even think of changing anything. She had never seen such luxury in her life.

'Okay, if you say so, Mrs. Elrod..but I can see something even more beautiful..and perfect right now.. '
He suddenly caught her to him as she stood admiring an antique table, a naughty look coming to his face.
'Enough seen and done..'

Erisha knew that his mood had shifted, but she pretended to misunderstand, and gave him an innocent look.
'Really? I'm sure there's more that I haven't seen yet..why don't we..'
She made to walk away, but he caught her again.

'I have more important things to see..and do..'
He ran the back of his hand up her arm, the look in his eyes leaving no doubt as to what he meant.

Erisha suddenly felt a bit shy, which was ridiculous, but the thought of today being her wedding night was slightly unnerving.
Treyton noticed, and found it endearing somehow.
Without any warning, he picked up Erisha in his arms, causing her to squeak in surprise.
'What are you doing?'
This, as Treyton began to walk like that towards his room.

'Carrying my bride to our room, because all I want to do right now is make love to her, and leave her with no doubt that she is now mine..forever..'
Treyton's voice had become husky.

Erisha felt her pulse race, and butterflies flutter in her tummy, as her gaze locked with his, and she saw the desire he was feeling.
He had to look away to see where he was going, but her eyes never wavered from his face.

When he finally stopped at the door to his room, he looked down at her.
Nudging the door with his shoulder, he opened it and entered.
When he stopped at the threshold, Erisha who had been watching his face, turned to see what had stopped him.
She gasped out loud.

To be continued...