Speaker 1: This show, along with hundreds of others from Caloroga Shark Media,
is available commercial free on any player. Just look for
the link in the episode or show notes.
Speaker 2: Caloroga Shark Media.
Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to Romance Weekly. This episode is titled
Haunted Hearts, Part two Ghostly Gala Jitters.
Speaker 2: Emma stared at the mountain of Halloween decorations, threatening to
engulf her dining room table. Fake cobwebs, plastic skeletons, and
an assortment of eerily realistic rubber bats spilled onto the floor.
She sighed, wondering for the hundredth time why she'd agreed
to co chair Mystic Fall's annual Ghostly Gala. Mom, have
you seen my witch's hat? Zoe's voice rang out from upstairs.
Check under your bed, Emma called back, pushing aside a
tangle of orange lights. Her fingers brushed against something smooth,
an envelope she didn't recognize. Curious, she pulled it out.
Inside was an invitation, embossed with silver spider webs. You
are cordially invited to Mystic Falls Ghostly Gala, where the
veil between worlds grows thin and magic fills the air.
October twenty eighth, eight pm. Town Hall Costumes mandatory, bring
a guest if you dare. Emma's stomach fluttered as she
remembered the conversation that had led to this chaos two
weeks earlier, at the PTA meeting following the Halloween Carnival.
We need two volunteers to organize this year's ghostly gala,
Principal Hawthorne announced, his bushy eyebrows raised expectantly. The room
fell silent. Emma slouched in her chair, hoping to become invisible.
I'll do it, a familiar voice rang out. Emma's head
snapped up to see Jack Cooper, looking annoyingly handsome in
a flannel shirt. His hand raised, Principal Hawthorne beamed excellent.
Now we just need one more. Before Emma could stop herself,
her hands shot up. I'll help, she blurted out, immediately
wondering what possessed her to volunteer for yet another Halloween event.
Jack caught her eye across the room, flashing that infectious
grin that made her heart skip a beat. Looks like
we make a good team, Miss Johnson. And that's how
Emma found herself drowning in Halloween paraphernalia. With Jack Cooper
due to arrive any minute to finalize their gala plans.
The doorbell rang, sending Emma into a panic. She scrambled
to shove decorations aside, creating a small clear space on
the table. I'll get it, so, he thundered down the stairs,
her witch's hat askew. Emma heard the door open, followed
by excited chatter. She smoothed her hair, took a deep breath,
and stepped into the hallway. Jack stood in the entryway,
his dark hair tousled by the autumn wind. Next to
him was Max, clutching a familiar looking pumpkin. Hi, Emma,
Jack said, his warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners.
Hope you don't mind, but Max insisted on coming along.
He's got a surprise for Zoe. Max stepped forward, holding
out the pumpkin. Remember the one that exploded at the carnival. Well,
Dad and I fixed it up for you, guys. Zoe
squealed with delight, taking the pumpkin carefully. It's perfect. Come on, Max,
let's go put it on the porch. As the kids
dashed off, Emma found herself alone with Jack. She gestured
toward the dining room. Shall we tackle this Halloween hurricane.
For the next hour, they sorted through decorations, trading ideas
for the gala. Emma was surprised at how easily conversation
flowed between them. Jack's enthusiasm for all things spooky was infectious,
and she found herself getting caught up in his elaborate
plans for a haunted photo booth and a midnight masquerade dance. So,
Jack said casually, as they untangled a string of ghostly lights,
Have you thought about your costume for the gala? Emma froze.
In the whirlwind of planning, she had completely forgotten about
her own outfit. I am not really, she admitted. I'm
not big on dressing up. Jack's eyebrows shot up in
mock horror. Not big on dressing up at the ghostly gala.
That's practically sacrilege and mystic falls. Emma felt her cheeks
grow warm. I just I guess I've never found the
right costume, something that feels like me, you know. Jack's
expression softened. He set down the lights and turned to
face her fully. What if we brainstorm together, There's got
to be a perfect Halloween alter ego for Emma Johnson
out there. As they tossed around ideas, everything from literary
heroines to infamous historical figures. Emma found herself relaxing. Jack
had a knack for making her laugh, for seeing possibilities
where she saw obstacles. What about you, she asked, eventually,
what's your go to Halloween costume? A shadow passed over
Jack's face. Ah, well, I usually go as a classic monster, Dracula,
Frankenstein's Monster, that sort of thing. It was kind of
a tradition. With he trailed off, his eyes growing distant,
Emma's heart clenched, remembering what Zoe had told her about
Jack's late wife. With your wife, she asked softly. Jack
nodded a sad smile, tugging at his lips. Sarah loved
Halloween even more than I do. If you can believe it,
she always said. There was magic in the air. On
October thirty first, without thinking, Emma reached out and squeezed
his hand. She sounds wonderful, she was, Jack said, his
fingers intertwining with hers. For a moment, they stood there,
connected by shared understanding and the whisper of something more.
The spell was broken by a crash from the living room,
followed by twin exclamations of oops from Zoe and Max.
Emma and Jack sprang apart, both laughing nervously. We should
probably yeah, definitely, Jack agreed. As they went to investigate
the damage. Emma felt a warmth spreading through her chest.
For the first time in years, she was actually looking
forward to a costume party. The next few weeks passed
in a blur of gala preparations. Emma found herself spending
more and more time with Jack, their planning sessions often
stretching late into the evening. They fell into an easy rhythm,
complimenting each other's strengths and balancing out their weaknesses. Emma
discovered a talent for organization and logistics, while Jack's creative
brought their haunted ballroom vision to life. Together, they transformed
town Hall into a spectral wonderland, complete with floating candles,
a graveyard lounge, and a dance floor that seemed to
ripple like mist beneath your feet. As the big night approached,
Emma felt a mix of excitement and nerves. She had
finally settled on a costume, a celestial themed gown that
made her feel equal parts elegant and mysterious, but a
part of her worried about seeing Jack outside of their
planning bubble. Would things be different at the gala. The
night of the event arrived, Crisp and clear stars twinkled
overhead as Emma made her way up the town hall steps,
her silver flecked gown shimmering in the moonlight. She paused
at the entrance, taking a deep breath. Look like you
could use this, a familiar voice said. Emma turned to
see Jack, looking dashing in a Victorian style suit complete
with a sweeping cape. He held out a glass of
what looked like smoking punch. Thanks, Emma said, Taking a sip.
The sweet, spicy liquid sent warmth spreading through her. You
clean up nice, mister Cooper. Let me guess Dracula. Jack grinned,
revealing a pair of remarkably realistic fangs. The one and only,
and you must be the night Sky personified. Emma laughed,
doing a little twirl. Close. I'm going for Queen of
the Cosmos too much, not at all, Jack said, softly,
his eyes twinkling. It suits you perfectly. They stood there
for a moment, the sounds of the party drifting out
around them. Emma felt that familiar flutter in her stomach,
stronger now than ever before, so Jack said, offering his arm.
Shall we brave the ghostly gala together? Emma smiled, linking
her arm through his. I thought you'd never ask. As
they stepped into the transformed town hall, Emma gasped. Their
vision had come to life in spectacular fashion. Ghostly projections
danced across the walls, while enchanted looking instruments played a
haunting melody. Costumed partygoers twirled on the misty dance floor,
their laughter mingling with the spooky sound effects. We did it,
Emma breathed, taking it all in, we make a pretty
good team. Jack agreed, squeezing her hand. For the next
few hours, Emma found herself swept up in the magic
of the night. She and Jack made the rounds, accepting
compliments on the decorps and joining in the various Halloween
games they had set up. Emma was surprised to find
herself actually enjoying the costume contest and the bobbing for
poison apples station. As the clock neared midnight, Jack pulled
her onto the dance floor. I believe I promised you
a dance, my cosmic queen, he said with a bow.
Emma laughed, letting him spin her into his arms. As
they swayed to the music, She felt a sense of
contentment wash over her. Here in this moment, everything felt right.
Jack's eyes met hers, and Emma felt her breath catch.
He leaned in his lips just inches from hers. Suddenly,
a blood curdling scream rang out. Emma and Jack jumped apart,
turning to see a figure in a tattered white dress
standing in the center of the room. Beware, the figure wailed,
its voice echoing unnaturally. The veil is thin, and the
spirits walk among you. For a moment, the party fell silent.
Then someone started to applaud, and soon the room erupted
in cheers. Bravo. Principal Hawthorne called out, what a wonderful
addition to our ghostly gala. Who was responsible for this
surprise performance? Emma and Jack exchanged bewildered looks. That wasn't
part of our plan, Emma whispered, no. Jack agreed, his
brow furrowed it wasn't. As the party resumed around them,
Emma couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted the
almost kiss hung between them, electric and unresolved, and the
mysterious apparition. Was it just an unplanned performance or something more.
One thing was certain, this Halloween season was far from over,
and Emma had a feeling the real magic was just beginning.
Speaker 1: Romance Weekly is a production of Calaroga Shark Media executive
producers Mark Francis and John McDermott. Portions of this podcast
may have been created with the assistance of AI.
Speaker 2: Calaroga Shark Media