BEHIND THE VEIL

I knew I was going to hell.

My name is Olivia. Think of a beautiful lady of 22 yrs, elegant and charming in appearance like the roses of the valley.

The worst thing I hate is trouble because I have a delicate heart and never had it crossed my mind to ever hurt a fly but here I am, behind a Hilux with cuffs on my wrists while a chain engulfed my ankles like a criminal.

Looking beside me, I saw men dressed in army uniform at my both sides, handling a deadly rifle which they would use to send any unfortunate being to an early grave. None of them were smiling. They look scary and fear grips my fragile heart.

As the Hilux drove through the City, I felt the urge to jump down and escape but that is one surest way to die.

I'm not going to survive it and the soldiers wouldn't think twice before shooting me dead at any attempt to escape.

I know you must be wondering what offense a gentle and beautiful soul like me committed that is about to lead me to one of the deadliest prisons- Rikers prison.

You might call me a fool or spank me for taking the decision but I don't regret the reason why I did it. I did it for love.

It was on a cold night. I sat on a sofa in the living room, passing away the night and waiting for my husband, Maverick Slade, a business tycoon, to return home.

Lazily, I sipped a glass cup of wine and my soft laughter filled the room as I passed the time with my favorite TV show.

Suddenly, the door of the room burst open and Maverick hurried inside with blood all over his cloth.

Startled, I sprang up and the glass of wine slipped from my grip, crashing to the floor.

“Maverick. What is the problem? Why do you enter like that?" I asked worriedly but Maverick didn't reply. He pulled his bloody suit and flung it at me then hurried inside with his briefcase.

I was lost.

The suit hung there on my shoulder and the blood on it had stained my white nightgown.

Before I could go after him, the door broke open again, slamming against the wall and starling me for the second time.

Turning sharply, I saw two police men pointing a gun at me.

“You're under arrest for murdering Alexander lake."

Gasps!

My tongue went dry instantly. The air in the room stiffened, choking me. I couldn't breathe properly after the accusation that knocked me down like a heavy rock.

Before I could speak, Maverick came out to the living room, looking fresh and wet. He had just taken his bath and he had changed into blue pajamas.

I was shocked, wondering how my husband changed so quickly.

Maverick frowned confusingly, staring between the Policemen and I.

“Honey. What is happening here? Why are you with the police?" He asked cluelessly as if he never saw me the first time he entered.

“Your wife is under arrest for murdering. She's following us for further questioning." One of the policemen said and cuffed me. They led me out.

On my way out, I stared at Maverick. He looks innocent but I'm very sure he had done something which I trusted him enough not to do. He murdered Alexander lake.

Before I was interrogated at the station, Maverick called me, telling me he accidentally hit Alexander lake with his car on his way home and he pleaded with me to take responsibility for the crime.

“I can't. I'm not going to do it, Maverick!!" I stated firmly.

Maverick held my hand gently, a charming and irresistible expression crossing his handsome face.

“Please Olivia. My career is at stake here. I'll get you out of the prison after a month." He promised with a smooth low voice.

I sighed, staring into his grey eyes. I felt weakened by his soft words and his hand which gently held mine.

“What about my career Maverick? I..I can't do this..'

Maverick interrupted me with a kiss. He looked into my eyes romantically.

“I'll handle everything. Trust me." He said.

Was it love or foolishness? I gave in.

That was how I accused myself for a crime I never committed and i was found guilty.

After the Court proceedings, the judge hit the gavel against the slab.

“I hereby sentence Olivia martins to life imprisonment for murdering Alexander lake." She declared and I was led out of the courtroom.

Everything recapped into my memory as we approached Rikers prison.

The gate of the prison opened and the Hilux drove in. The soldiers jumped down from the vehicle.

The prison has a basketball court and on top of the building were soldiers monitoring the place with binoculars and rifles.

The soldiers escorted me inside and handed me to a female warden.

The woman fixed her cold gaze at me as if I'm the worst person on earth. In her hand is a book which she glanced into.

“You're the murderer of?" She looked up at me.

“I didn't murder anybody!!" I cut in arrogantly, my voice laced with anger.

She leaned forward with a mockery smile on her face. “If you didn't murder anyone then why are you here?" She chuckled.

I simply glare at her without responding.

“Tag her and take her to cell 22." She gestured at a younger warden who brought the yellow prison dress and white Snickers.

After wearing the uniform which had the number '7' boldly written behind it, they took my photograph and I was led to my cell.

Walking along the passage behind the warden, I looked around to see female prisoners glaring at me like a predator. One of them was smiling at me but I knew it wasn't a sincere one.

Getting to cell 22, I saw two girls inside. One of them laid on the upper layer of the bunker while the other girl sat at the edge of the lower, glaring dagger at me. I gulped hard, fear running through my spine.

“Get inside." The warden instructed but I hesitated.

“Get the fuck inside!!" She yelled at me, kicking me and I staggered inside, losing my balance. I fell on the floor with my arm.

Crack!

My bone dislocated.