It was hard to say who was more stunned.

The minute Treyton's lips touched hers, it was as if a blaze was let loose.
Erisha pushed at his shoulders astounded, and he moved his head back to look at her.
Their eyes met, amazement in both, their breathing suddenly erratic.
Neither moved, unable to believe what a touch had ignited.
But then Treyton took hold of her face with his hands, and bent his head, taking her lips again. This time, he heard her groan, as he coaxed her lips open. What had begun with anger, turned into something entirely opposite.

She was sugar and spice, rolled into one. Hearing her groan, he touched his tongue to the crevices of her mouth, before touching hers.
The combustion was incredible, threatening to burn them up.
Her hands on his broad shoulders tightened of their own accord, as he deepened the fire within them both, kissing her with all the pent up emotions he had been feeling, from the day he had seen her.
Their eyes closed, lost in each other's mouths, there was no sense of time, as they tasted one another. There was only a building heat, ready to consume them.
Treyton pushed against her, his hands moving to her hair, and heard her moan.

Lights from a car passing by, shone onto their entwined faces and bodies, startling them.
Erisha, suddenly realising what she had been doing, pushed at him again, and this time he moved back, putting a distance between them.
Treyton let her push him, completely dazzled by the kiss.
It took him a moment to realise, that he had kissed her to punish her for slapping him, but he had been totally bowled over by her response, and everything had changed. She had been with him, every inch of the way.
Even in the low light, he could see her flushed face, as she struggled to control her features. They both were breathing rapidly.

'As you can see..'
Treyton had a slight smirk on his face, as he returned back to his element.
'I don't make empty threats. I follow through on my promises..'

Erisha straightened up at that, and gave him a glare, returning back to her fiesty self.
'I will remember that the next time!'
Her tone indicated that there would be no next time, as far as they were concerned. This caused Treyton to lift his  eyebrows, but he let it go for now.
'Now, if you would please..get out of my way..'
Ericha pushed past him, finally succeeding in opening the main door.

'Sure! Go ahead! But keep in mind, this conversation and we are far from over..'
Treyton watched, as Erisha ignored him, and moved inside, shutting the door.
Treyton stood there for a couple more seconds, before he turned, and walked back to his car.

His gaze went automatically to the building again, as his driver made the turn to leave.
What the hell was that! And why did it feel so good?
Was Erisha part of the game plan by the Hubers? Or was Finn really the culprit?
Finding her here was puzzling, the answers still unclear.
But that kiss..oh God, that kiss! She's full of fire..a fire I want to ignite over and over again..
He gave a small smile, as he remembered her response. She had been one with him all the way..
This is going to be interesting..very interesting...

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

'May I come in, Herr Elrod?'

Treyton looked up, as the door opened to let in his HR manager.

'Kommen sie!'
Treyton called him inside, looking at the man closely, as he entered.
Julian Finn looked a bit puzzled on being called to the boss's office, and that too, so early in the morning.

Julian was surprised to see another man already seated across from Treyton's desk.
The atmosphere was tense, and the boss looked far from pleased.
'Yes, sir?'

'Finn! Take a seat!'
Treyton's voice brooked no argument, and Julian hurried over to sit.
'I believe, you have access to all the employees in this office. Is that correct?'
Treyton's gaze was piercing.

'Yes, sir! All personnel files and information is up to date, sir!'
Julian quickly confirmed, and Treyton nodded.

'I needed some information about an employee..'
Treyton kept his eyes on Julian's face.

'Sure, sir! Just tell me the name, and I'll get back to you in twenty minutes, max!'
Julian said eagerly, looking ready to move, so he could carry out the orders.

'Well, then..go and get me your file..Julian Finn.'

'Yes, sir...I'll just go and...what?'
Julian had shot off the chair, but as he heard the name, he sat back down.
'Me, sir?'
His voice came out as a squeak.

Treyton got up from his chair, and came to stand beside him. His stance was formidable, and Julian swallowed audibly.
'Yes, you..Julian Finn..'

'But...w..what do you w..want to know about me?'
He raised his head to look up into Treyton's frowning face.

'I want to know, how much salary do you get paid here?'
Treyton asked casually, perching himself against his desk, arms folded across his chest.

The detective looked on, his  eyes fixed on his boss in action, unable to move it away.

'Salary?'
Julian quickly told him the amount, and Treyton nodded.

'And do you get by in that much? I mean, do you have a family, or you are alone?'
Treyton continued.

'I have family, sir, but they live in the countryside. My father's retired, and mother is a housewife.'
Julian prattled on, looking as confused as ever.

'So, did you need money recently?'

'Money?'
If possible, Julian looked more confused than ever.

'Yes..money..geld..Euros..for your father's heart surgery..which the doctor has advised him..no?'
Treyton was no longer lounging against the desk. He was standing up straight, right in front of Julian's chair, waiting, looking like a predator ready to pounce on his prey.

Julian looked stunned for a minute, as to how his boss knew this, but he also knew, that it was no big feat for him.
'Uh..yes! My father does require surgery..but I will manage..'

'Really? On this salary?'
Treyton's voice was now low, and almost dangerous.

Julian couldn't move his eyes away from his employer.
'I've been saving..'

'The hell you have!'
Treyton finally shouted, causing not just the people, but also the potted plants in his office to jump.
He put both hands on the armrests of Julian's chair, and bent himself to his height, trapping him in.
'You saved several thousand of Euros in just two months? Or the Hubers gave them to you for cheating on me!'

Julian was unable to do anything except swallow, his eyes as wide as saucers. There was controlled fury in his boss's eyes, and fear made him sweat.
'Sir..no..'

'Lüg mich nicht an! Don't you lie to me!'
Treyton stood back, and lifting some papers from his desk, threw them on Julian.
'These have something different to say!'
Treyton glared at him, as Julian scanned the statement of his bank account.
It clearly showed the deposition of two million Euros a couple of weeks earlier.

Julian gulped, as he met Treyton's gaze.
'Sir, I know this may seem odd to you..'

'Odd?'
Treyton snorted, before he turned to the detective, stroking two fingers over his forehead, as if speaking about an imbecile.
'You hear that, James? This man thinks it's odd that two million Euros were deposited in his bank account. And surprisingly, around the same time that the Hubers acquired the property that was meant to be mine!'
Treyton again turned his green glare back to Julian, who looked like he had been clobbered on the head with something heavy.

'Sir, you have to believe me! I know what this looks like, but..'

'Because it's the truth, you lying cheat!'
Treyton's voice was low, but had the effect of a shout, because Julian flinched.

'Sir, I swear it! I didn't cheat on you! I've been working for you for the past two years, sir! Believe me, I'm loyal to you..'

'Loyal!'
Treyton rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
'If you are loyal, then I'm the Prince of Wales! Meaning, not possible!'
Treyton walked back to his chair behind the desk and sat down.
'So, why don't you just confess? It might still be able to save you from my wrath, and being unemployed..'

Julian jumped up from his chair, his eyes pleading.
'Please sir! Don't fire me, sir! I didn't betray you..I know the statement says something else, but really, this money wasn't given to me by the Hubers. Please, let me explain..'
Julian looked like he was about to start crying any minute now.

The detective made a laughing sound, turning everyone's attention towards him.
'This is exactly what people do when they have been caught out!'
Ever since Treyton Elrod had called him late last night, the detective had worked all night to gain information about Julian Finn, before presenting it to him this morning.
He raised his eyebrows at Julian now, who looked dejected.
'No one confesses by themselves! Well, there are several ways to get you to spit it out, so why not save yourself the trouble, laddie!'

Treyton saw another look of fear pass Julian's face.
'Detective James is right! He has had several years of experience working with the police here. Knowing ways, to get you to confess, are not beyond him.'

'But, sir..'

'Finn! Save yourself the time!'
James interrupted.

'It's true that I needed the money, but I didn't leak any information to get it! A..a friend lent it to me, for my father's surgery. Please, believe me!'

'What friend? Steven Huber, or David Huber?'

'Neither! I know the money came at the time of the leak, but that's just a coincidence. My friend lent it to me. I..I have to give it back. I promised!'

'So, tell us your friend's name, and we will confirm it!'
James told him.

Julian lowered his head.
'They made me promise not to tell. How can I break their confidence in me?'

'Just like I can break your bones, if you don't tell!'
Treyton said quietly.

Julian exhaled slowly.
'I'm sorry, sir..I still can't tell...'

'What do you mean to refuse to your employer?'
James huffed, but Treyton put up a hand to stop him.

'Wait, James!'
He turned back to Julian.
'Alright! I'll give you time! If you tell me the exact truth, I myself will get your father's surgery done..without asking you to pay me back!'
James, and even Julian gasped, their eyes widening.
They couldn't believe the offer their boss had just made.
'But, you have forty eight hours, I want you to think about it!'
Treyton lifted an eyebrow, indicating that consequences wouldn't be pleasant otherwise.
'You may leave now!'
Treyton dismissed him.

Julian was surprised again, but he nodded, and turning around, left.
The detective watched him go, then turned back to Treyton.

'Herr Elrod, why did you let him go so easily? He would have confessed..'

Treyton rolled a crystal paperweight on his desk.
'I think the threats were enough. There was a fear in his eyes, and a concern for his family. Always hit on their weak spots, James! He will confess. We just have to give him some rope, he will hang from it himself!'

'If you think so. But there's one thing I wanted to ask you sir. If Julian Finn didn't turn up at the party last night, as you said, then who was the person who the Hubers were sending the car to? I had thought you would have nailed him there.'

Treyton's thought immediately shifted to Erisha..and their fiery kiss.
He had thought about little else.
But the haze had settled, bringing more urgent things to his mind, and he had immediately called James to get information about Julian Finn.
'Hmm..he apparently decided not to show his face in public, and risk getting caught.'
Treyton shrugged, not sharing his doubts.
'You dig more information on this man. I want to know what he's hiding..'
He instructed the detective, who soon left after that, leaving Treyton with his thoughts.

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

'No, no! I didn't tell him who it was. He tried to get me to, but I didn't give in. I wouldn't do that to you. You have been such a support for me..'

Treyton was leaving the office building, the driver following him. He had almost reached the huge glass doors that framed the entrance of his office, when he heard someone speaking in low tones.
He turned to see a man standing outside, almost hidden by a wall.
Treyton immediately recognised Finn's voice. He  was looking the other way, and talking to someone on the phone in hushed tones.

'You sure? You have already helped me enough..hmm...okay, I'll meet you there..see you..'

Treyton kept walking, as Finn turned to leave, and  went and sat in his car.
But his mind went to what he had just heard.
There's something going on here..who is he talking to? I need to know..
Feeling like a spy these days, he made his driver stand by in the parking, as he waited for Finn to leave.
And true enough, within five minutes, Finn headed for his bike in the parking lot, and rode away, unaware of anything irregular.

As Treyton followed, Julian headed towards the city. In about twenty minutes, he turned towards the local markets.
The driver slowed down, finding a parking on Treyton's instructions, as Finn also stopped, and looking around, crossed the road.
Treyton got off and followed, before he lost Finn in the throng of people. In a suit that screamed wealth, Treyton wasn't one to be part of a crowd, and several people turned to look.
But Treyton was used to being stared at, and continued to push through several people, trying not to let Finn out of his sight.

Finn turned into a smaller street, where open stalls covered both sides of the street, along with several small shops located in buildings. Treyton kept Finn in his sight, as he stopped at one such shop, and went inside.
Knowing he would be obvious if he followed inside, he looked up and saw the  sign announcing the name of the shop. 'DREAMS'.
Moving closer, as he tried to look inside the glass windows, he spotted Finn. Thankfully, there was a crowd milling about in the shop and outside, so he didn't look too odd.

Finn was talking to someone, who was partly hidden by other people.
Who is this person he's come to meet? And why does he have to hide who gave him the money? He was definitely lying this morning in my office..I'm going to nail this son of a..
Treyton was suddenly jostled from behind, as several people moved to go ahead, and he turned around to glare at them.
Dusting his suit free of other people's touch, he turned back to see inside. In the shuffling, he had almost missed Finn moving towards the back of the shop with someone.
Treyton moved his neck from side to side to get a look.
Suddenly, as if he had willed them to, a couple of people moved aside, and the person Finn was talking to was fully visible.

Treyton's eyes widened, as his gaze focused..on Erisha.

What the hell??

To be continued...