Jasmina Reamer-Kaplan sits comfortably in the scarlet leather couch, drinking a hot mug of chocolate while watching Trevor Kaplan's interview on The Late Late Show with James Corden. The twenty-five-year-old author tucks back strands of straight blonde hair behind her ear as she giggles when her husband, Trevor, throws another humorous remark at the host, to the latter's playful chagrin.
Three more days, she tells herself while gazing lovingly at the screen. Trevor is on promotional tour for his second album, Falling, which was released a week ago. She had to stay behind to catch up writing her second book after going on tour herself to promote her debut duology, Where it Ends and Where it Begins—now famously called the Where Series.
Trevor Kaplan will be coming back home to Fairhaven, Massachusetts where Jasmina is waiting. It has been a rough two weeks for her without him, especially when they've just been married for six months.
Before her mind could take her back to those memories though, the cordless phone on the drawer beside her rings shrilly in the chilly night of October end.
"Happy Samhain," greets the voice on the other line. Jasmina immediately recognizes her cousin-in-law's high, feminine voice.
"Happy Samhain to you, too, Lucy," she answers back. The two women, despite their opposite personalities, have found one aspect in which they grew fond of: Wicca. When they were introduced to each other last Christmas, Lucy Woods greeted her with "Merry meet", a Wiccan greeting Jasmina knows too well. They both believe in Wicca, a practice which involves deep appreciation of nature and being one with it. Since then, the two of them often talk about their shared beliefs and rituals to celebrate Wiccan traditions.
Tonight, October 31st, is the Wiccan celebration of Samhain, a festival of the Dead and considered as the Witch's New Year. Wiccans believe it to be the interval when the law of time and space is temporarily null, where they can commemorate the dead and guide their souls to the Summerlands. It is very similar to Christian's celebration of Halloween in November 1.
"How are things?" Jasmina asks when they are done discussing their Samhain celebrations.
"Not good." Lucy sighs audibly from the other line.
"You don't sound like yourself," Jasmina notes. "What's going on?"
A long silence follows before she answers. "Listen, um, I'd rather tell you this first than Trevor. Helterground is kind of in trouble right now and a lot of things have happened recently. My dad thinks it's high time for me to… um, get married."
"What?" Jasmina splutters. "What exactly happened, Lucy?"
"I really can't tell you right now. Look, I need you to come to New York within three days. Can you do that? I'll tell Trevor to meet you at the airport. My engagement will be announced by then."
"Okay, but I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. Tell me what happened."
"Well…" Lucy struggles with herself, Jasmina can tell. Detachment rings in her voice, as if she's trying hard to deny the whole thing. "You know all about the bad blood between me and Gray Langdon, right? Something happened and now I have to marry him."
Jasmina doesn't respond. She knows that Lucy needs someone who will listen, not someone who would make a gossip out of her ramblings. The distressed woman continues her monologue.
"I don't think they even care about the intense hate between me and Langdon. It only acted as a catalyst. They've already made the decision long before they told us. Dad was talking about some stupid old tradition of the company and the need to save Helterground. He said the company's collapsing because of all the scandal that Langdon and I have been involved with individually. Well, I hope Helterground crumbles down for all it's worth."
"What do you mean the company's collapsing?" Jasmina asks after a moment of silence.
Lucy sighs again. "The media has dubbed me and Gray as juvenile delinquents who are not fit to take over Helterground in the future. Even now, investors are pulling out of several deals. The thing is, I could care less about it. I have no interest in running the company."
"Oh my," Jasmina says, petrified and speechless. She wishes she was right beside Lucy so she can comfort her. "Don't worry. I'll arrange everything so I can take the first flight after tomorrow."
"Thank you. I feel very suicidal at this moment, really. I'm stuck in my unwanted life. Screw destiny and fate. My future is just being played in the hands of my father. I feel like a ragged doll being tossed around, you know. Well, I'm drained. I have so much to deal with. I'll see you soon. Thanks for listening, Jazz. I appreciate it."
"Of course. Merry part," Jasmina responds but the line is already dead.