INTERLOCKED: A JOURNEY.

24. The Element of Surprise!

Dedicated to LattyBritish

A place you can only dream of.

"SNOW." CAME A VOICE that echoed several times.

"Willow." She whispered.

The lights flickered on blinding them for a moment. Their eyes locked and a huge grin spread across each other's faces.

The sound of music echoed around the yard. Snow looked in the direction of the sound and gasped at sight of the muses around the water fountain. The golden lights illuminated from it shone at the back of the muses giving them a glow like angels. She stood at the very same spot admiring the beauty around her.

Willow took this as a que and marched towards her. Standing in front of her, he extended his hand and said, "Shall we, ma' lady?"

"We shall." She gave her hand in his and let him lead their steps.

Tiny Chinese lanterns hung on the trees creating an illusion of fireflies. The grass was embellished with ground lights which made it seem as if she stepped in a fairy land.

Willow walked her over to a booth. It was a four feet high deck, decked up with white curtains tied with artificial golden flowers and a chandelier in the center, glowing a bright golden. There was a beautiful round table, just below the chandelier, and two black sofa chairs were placed on either sides of it. A tri candle stand stood at the center of the table and covered dishes around it along with a champagne bottle plus two glasses.

Together they climbed the stairs of the deck. Willow pulled out a chair for Snow for which she thanked him and sat down. He then took his seat too.

"This is all so beautiful. Thank you so much Willow." Snow expressed her gratitude.

"The pleasure is all mine. Champagne?" Willow asked as he reached for the bottle.

"Sure. Is this our first official date?" Snow asked out of curiosity.

"Kind of." Willow kept his responses short.

Kind of? This man is so confusing... Snow thought.

"Oh so you practically got me kidnapped by my own brother on our first date Mr. Garner."

"That's my style babe."

The nick-name got her blushing from head to toe. Snow thought it was best to not speak anything now. So she just mumbled a small okay.

"Can you please pass me your glass?" Willow asked Snow.

She was about to hand it when she noticed something inside the glass. It was a white paper roll tied with a golden ribbon. She tilted the glass upside down and the roll fell on her palm.

"Excuse me please. I have a call to take."

Snow wasn't even paying attention. She was focused on opening the paper instead. She gently opened the ribbon and the words that greeted her were not the ones she'd expected in her entire existence.

● ● ●

THE WORLD'S BREATH HITCHED in their throats as they witnessed the scene unfold before them.

Willow was a successful entrepreneur, an inspiration, a friend, a son and an envied person. And so by this live surprise he only proved himself the best in every field.