An Arranged Marriage

What is more devastating than having cops storm your dressing room on your wedding day?.. What is even worse than having them point accusing fingers at you, the bride? I thought I'd experienced the worst when my stepmother locked me in a dark room for three nights without food and water but the particular sight I was beholding at the moment was nothing but a nightmare come true... “Annabelle Finn?..” I repeated the last statement I'd just heard in a questioning tone and with trembling lips while staring at the tall man who was cladded in a neatly-ironed blue uniform. “Yes, are you the one?” he responded, questioning back. My breathlessness didn't get any better, it worsened. For crying out loud, I was the only Annabelle Finn I knew of!!.. My eyes landed on the handcuffs the second man was holding and once again, a pail of dread poured out its content on me. “Yes, but –” I paused, turning to take a swift glance at the two artists who had surprising expressions on their faces while still holding onto a comb and makeup kit respectively.. I turned back to the cops, exhaling. “I don't understand, why would you come into my dressing room to ask for me? My wedding is in an hour!” my words stumbled upon each other as I made several stutters. I didn't speak harshly but one could tell that I wasn't only confused but scared. I was still cladded in the blue short gown which I was about to replace with my ball wedding gown before I heard a knock… Somehow, a part of me seemed to know why they were here and all I did was try to ignore the whispers in my head but still, my mind didn't stop drifting back to a particular night, a particular statement.. But, why should I be the one the cops are here for?... Shouldn't it be— “I'm so sorry this has to happen on your big day but you're under arrest for the murder of Chief Larsson” the second cop said, raising the handcuffs which hadn't stopped sending dreadful chills down my spine since my eyes caught them. I heard the artists gasp behind me but that was the least of my worries, so I paid them no attention. “Chief Larsson, murder?!” my eyes widened. I scoffed.. “This is definitely a mix up” I shook my head sideways. I didn't know how I managed to complete a statement despite the amount of fear in me, but nevertheless, I did so. The first cop silently scoffed. “We weren't expecting you to admit the truth anyways. We have very strong evidence and I'll advise you to save yourself the stress of arguing or denying the truth we already know.” he said with an expression that was as frank as one could imagine. “No..!” “No..” I shook my head sideways with heavy breaths while taking a step backwards. No, not a step but three. “I swear this is a mix up, I have no business with him, I can't even kill a cockroach” I said, panicking. My stomach churned with dread and my hands quivered in fear. “Officer, please do your work” he turned to his colleague, pointing in my direction. “Today is my wedding day, you can't do this to me!” I shouted, allowing my tears to ruin the makeup I'd sat for a long while to wear. “Ma'am, please turn around and put your hands behind your back” the cop said, taking further steps towards me. I was a hundred percent sure about something, My step mother and sister were definitely behind this.. But that wasn't the main worry here, my main priority was getting rid of the situation and maybe then, I could go confront them – that's if it's ever possible though. Where the hell was I supposed to get the guts to look them in the eye, let alone confront them? “I didn't kill him, I swear to God. In fact, I only met him once!” I cried as my hands were forced to move backwards. Chief Larsson was one of the aged men my step sister, Bella, dated and I knew they had a falling out after he refused to divorce his wife and take her in but ….. murder? All I knew about his insecurity was the words I overheard Bella say to someone on a phone call when I was about to serve her juice, twelve nights ago.. ‘I just want him cleared’ were her words to the caller.. But how could I have known that what she meant was ending his life?.. All I thought she meant that night was maybe she wanted to threaten him and demand a huge ransom or blackmail him somehow.. If I'd known that she'ld be stabbing him like the broadcaster had reported two days ago on the TV while announcing his death, I wouldn't have walked into the room and allowed her to know I was listening.. I could have just waited till she was done with the call before entering with the damn juice she didn't even drink!.. And now, she's pushing it to me!.. I knew she hated me but I never expected this!!... Not even on a day like this!!! “You’re making a big mistake, I didn't do it” I cried more, struggling with the cop who was still trying to handcuff me. “Please move..” he said, ignoring my words. “It's not me, believe me. I didn't do it!” I pleaded again, crying and struggling. My pleas fell on their deaf ears and unfortunately, none of the artists could save me. And then, my eyes fell on my wedding dress which was still hanging on the mannequin.. My heart ripped into two and more of my bitter tears fell.. This must be a dream, it can't be reality right?..