Underneath The Wedding Invitation

2. Reached

Reaching home I started packing my bags quickly. I had lied to Paul about the light bill. I shouldn't have done that I realised, but when time comes I will let him know about this all. First, I need a cup of coffee and need to again re-think my decision. It's better to think a thousand times before coming to some conclusion. I grabbed a cup and poured some hot coffee then sat on my couch. I turned on my television while sipping slightly, pressing the remote buttons impulsively. I hadn't even changed my clothes yet.

My house was looking so clumsy and messy. I need to clean up. There was barely any place to sit. Why was the television showing all uninteresting things to me today? Thought I would watch some movie to calm my mind a bit, but in the midst of all these I got a channel where I stopped and realised it was talking something about the wedding I'm about to attend. I paused for a second and kept my remote aside, turning the volume up.

A huge mansion with intricate carvings was behind the reporter which I assume was of the people who invited me to the wedding. The reporter was blabbering something, but the headlines were all clear, stating that the biggest wedding in the state is going to happen this following week. And with that some photos of the people from the mansion. I can't recognise the bride and groom. I have no idea to whoses’ house I'm visiting. And what will I exactly investigate over there? How will things work? But judging from the photos, some people look mean and really criminal minded.

There were a lot of people in this house that I might need to keep an eye on. A family of fifteen are you kidding me? The reporter was reporting this. How come I never came across them anytime was the biggest question right now. Anyways, their mansion looks beautiful. It was decorated hugely with beautiful lighting and fireworks were going out in the sky. There were a lot of lamps lit in the lawn and plants were in abundance. A huge place of the rich!

I found out there were over fifty rooms in their massive mansion. And only fifteen people were living in that house?! I turned off my television to wash my coffee cup and go to bed while gathering some mess and putting it into place. My phone rang in the midst. It was some kind of message. An unknown sender again. 

Saying, “I hope you will surely come to the wedding. I will wait for you.” 

Well that sounded creepy and horrifying. I tried to text back that I am coming, but the message got deleted then. Whoever this person is, is playing very smart with me. I can't even track the phone number now. Of course, the rich have the source of technology too and they can use it however they want. 

My “seen” must have reached them.

I tried not to fret about the situation for now and stopped biting my nails while thinking hard about it again and continued doing what I was doing.

After a while when I was all done, I plopped on my bed and took a deep breath of comfort and peace. Turned to the side and checked my phone again for some messages. But there was none this time. Whoever it is, they desperately want me to come to the wedding. Maybe it is the groom itself and he doesn't want this marriage? Wait, that sounds funny? Or maybe the bride? That will be hilarious. I will take my payment for the silliness if this is that silly!

I slept soundly, thank god! But I didn't want to wake up and do this. Though the other side of me was thinking this was quite interesting and felt like a thriller movie. This case of mine will go down in history. I slided the curtains and let the radiant sun rays fall on my porcelain face. It felt so warm and cosy. I made my bed, rearranged it and put some clothes in the washing machine before I leave my house today for the wedding. Brushing my teeth I felt, what if this is the whole family inviting me, maybe like a security, but if that was the case wouldn't they need more members from the police force? No, no. This is not what it is? Questions will keep on rising until I reach there. I took a warm shower and put on my jeans and blazer, tying my hair into a ponytail.

I took my suitcase out that I packed yesterday and hung my black bag on my shoulder which has my essentials, all ready to leave my house. I Made sure all the lights and fans are closed, the stove is closed, the curtains and the whole house is shut. Grabbed my car keys and rushed to drive all in towards the wedding location.

Paul called me when I sat in my car.
I tried to pick up, punching on my car seat thinking now what he will ask and what I will say.

“Hello paul?”

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING? YOU CUT ME OFF YESTERDAY,” He sounded confused.

“I know and I'm sorry for that. I promise you Paul, I will let you know what's going on. But please, no more questions. I know you are worried, but believe me. Please!” I said it real fast.

He let out a sigh, “I trust you, Scarlett. But…okay. Do let me know your whereabouts and keep calling me. Please!” He cared.

“Sure. I will. Love you, bye!” I hung up.

***
Driving on the streets in the mid morning was my favourite time. The sun kept shining and the bushes and trees kept me busy and engaged in them. It was beautiful scenery here in Washington. My neck hurts a bit with all the tension. I grabbed it and licked my lips looking here and there to relieve the stress. It helped.

I made sure I had the invitation in my bag. The location was a bit far and it will be night until I reach there. It was beside a beautiful deep ocean. I'm not here on a picnic! I'm sure. But everything looks like a vacation. I had my gun and my licence with me all loaded.  I don't want to show them at first glance that I'm a cop. Whoever sent me the invitation will surely come to me by themselves.

I was getting drowsy and sleepy as I was nearing the night time. But I kept awake with the drink I had. Music helped a lot too.
I was very close to the mansion now. A few turns and I'm all there.

I was starting to observe the beautiful lights by the ocean, encircling the sand bed beach on the side. Coming to know that I've arrived. There was a big turn towards the mansion and everything was lit up brightly at this time. I saw my watch, it was nine in the night. There were LED and flower hangings on the trees.

The gates opened when I showed the invite. There were four guards standing there. With the gate, tall and made up of solid iron with ornate carvings. The welder must be a talented man! 

I parked my car inside and began walking towards the mansions’ main door. It was marble. Completely! I knocked.

“Who do you want?” One guard came running towards me and asked. 

“Ah, I…” I showed them the invite. 

Meanwhile a voice from my other side called, “Hey, please take her inside. She is our guest.” 

I looked and saw a guy standing in a sleeping pyjamas. 

I squinted.