INTERLOCKED: A JOURNEY.

2.Explaining (part 1 cont.)

Same Day,
The Anderson's Mansion.

        MR. AND MRS. ANDERSON sat peacefully on the sofa, talking about stuff form here and there. Their heads instantly whipped at the door as a sobbing Snow entered. In a fraction of a second they were on their feet running towards her.

        "Snow? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Della asked while Clayton rubbed her back. The worried parents looked at each other wondering what caused their strong daughter to shatter like this.

        "M-m-o-m...." she couldn't complete her sentence. Snow hugged her mother as if her life depended on it.

        "Hush baby! Everything will be alright." Clayton stroked his daughter's hair while giving the positive assurance. He then turned to his wife and nodded towards Snow's room.

        Della at once understood and directed Snow towards her room. She tucked Snow in her bed, which reminded her of the old times when Snow was a little kid. She knew for a fact that when Snow faces these type conditions she just needs one thing, i.e. sleep. She exited with a heavy heart wondering what caused her daughter to endure such pain.

        As Della descended down the stairs she saw the main doors open and Drake walked in. She stood beside her husband again as Drake asked about Snow's condition.

        "What caused Snow to be sobbing so bitterly Drake?"

        Drake started with a disturbed tone. "I don't know Clayton. She had a meeting with The Garners. All I know is that the meeting has caused it all. She went with all the excitement in her face but came out sobbing. I can't see her like this. My hands itch to break someone's nose for causing those precious tears fall." The anxiousness was instantly replaced by anger.

       "Cool down there Drake. She is our warrior. She will find her way out. You are not supposed to be stressing so much old man." Della tried to lighten up the tension.

        If this would be any normal day he would retort back for calling him an old man. Instead he just offered with, "I think I should head back to the quarters. Snow is probably asleep by now."

The Anderson's just gave him a nod.

        After Drake exited Clayton asked his wife "Should I call the Garner office?"

       "No Clayton. I think its best we wait for Snow to tell us. You know she won't like it. Let's go to bed."

        "At such times I wish I would have that 10th grade Snow back." Clayton left out a heavy sigh.

● ● ●

        WHEN SNOW OPENED HER eyes the next morning she couldn't bear the headache. The reality dawned upon her as the events from yesterday replayed, her agreeing to marry the heir of The Garner Enlightment. She didn't want to get out of the bed, she knew better of herself though. She strolled towards her bathroom to take a quick shower. She gasped at her own image reflected by the mirror. She couldn't recognize herself. Swollen eyes, big bags underneath, red nose, swollen cheeks, a sight perfect to describe a drug addict. She quickly took a hot shower, added some make up to her face and left her room, ready to face the day.

        Clayton and Della were seated on the sofa, waiting for their daughter. When Snow finally arrived, Clayton motioned for her to sit between him and his wife.

        The Andersons were not the ones who'd beat around the bush. They were pretty much straightforward.

        Della took Snow's hands in hers and asked in a tender tone, "Honey, could you please tell us what the matter is."

       "M-m-om" she stuttered, taking a few deep, breaths she commanded herself to put on her confident persona and said, "you both know how desperate I was on this one project of mine- merger with The Garner Enlightment, right?

        They both nodded their heads, prodding Snow to continue.

        "So finally after trying so hard to have one meeting with the CEO I achieved the golden opportunity, not with the CEO but directly with it's owner. The meeting went well and he agreed for the merger too. So normally there are clauses for a merger and the only clause he put up was to marry the heir of The Garner Enlightment. I really thought about all aspects. This merger would bring me and The Flakes great profit, as well as it would be a profit to my mates....So, I - I agreed for the arranged marriage." She was breathless after ranting the entire story.

"Oh dear!" Della gasped.

        "Snow, stop being so selfless all the time. You can't keep doing this. What profit would it bring you? It will only profit your company and your mates. I know you thought about others and not yourself. You are the kind of girl who will burn in hell to save the devil himself." Disappointment was clear in Clayton's eyes.

      "Dad, the company is mine and my mates work for me, so I am not being selfless but selfish. I'll be fine dad." Snow assured her parents.

        The heavy running sound made everyone jump in their seats.

"Snow, help!"

"Roger, what happened?"

        Roger was Snow's little brother, currently in ninth grade. He was known for pulling stunts over everyone. He never feared anyone because he knew that he had a sister to back him up.

        "I-I sw-wear I-I didn't do it on pur-purpose. This re-really was by-mistake. I acc-acciden-tly bu-bumped in-to th-the ne-neigh-b-bour's mail-box w-with the cy-c-cle." His words were all muffled with deep breaths because of so much running.

"Hush Rog! I'll speak to them."

        After solving the matter and saying her goodbyes to her family she headed straight to the office. On the way, she repeated the entire story to Drake too. He was furious and disappointed just as Clayton was.

        Just to lighten up the mood Snow tried to make a joke out of it, "Calm your guts old man. I don't want to be a widow before my marriage itself."

        "You know me so well little star, I was just planning to do that. By the way, you can't be a widow without getting married."

● ● ●