Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 43: True Passion
Abby

The antiseptic smell of the hospital surrounds me, a cold, clinical scent that seems to hang in the air. I

glance down at my arm, now wrapped in white gauze, the skin beneath it red and angry. The pain

pulses with every heartbeat, but it’s a dull, manageable ache for now.

“Abby, you should be heading home to rest,” the doctor’s firm voice breaks through my thoughts. He’s

an older man, silver hair and a gentle, fatherly demeanor. “That burn needs time to heal, and you need

time to recover.”

“I understand, doctor,” I reply, doing my best to sound appreciative. “Thank you.”

Karl waits just outside the small cubicle, flipping through a magazine. The fluorescent lights highlight

the worry lines on his forehead. He looks up as I emerge, magazine forgotten.

“All set?”

I nod, reaching for my jacket with my uninjured arm. Karl moves quickly to help, his fingers brushing

against mine. The touch is unintentional, but it sends a rush of warmth through me.

“Thanks,” I murmur, avoiding his gaze.

He just nods, his expression serious. “I’ll drive you home.”

But as I step into the corridor, the weight of unfinished business pulls at me. “Not home. Back to the

restaurant.”

He stops in his tracks, eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “Are you serious, Abby? After what you’ve just

been through?”

“The night isn’t over,” I reply firmly, pain making my voice sharper than intended. “The restaurant needs

me.”

Karl shakes his head, clearly struggling to comprehend my determination. “Let’s sit for a moment,” he

suggests, guiding me towards a set of chairs in the waiting area. It’s relatively quiet here, a few people

sca ttered about, absorbed in their own world of worry and waiting.

He waits for me to get settled before taking the seat next to me. “Abby, talk to me. Why do you feel the

need to go back there tonight? It’s just one night.”

I turn to face him, biting my lip. “You weren’t there when I opened up the restaurant.”

turning a slight shade of red. “No. I

I murmur, my voice soft. “It’s a culmination of

challenge I’ve faced. One disaster isn’t going to keep

me tonight.”

a long moment, his brown eyes filled with

room’s harsh lighting casts shadows on his face, making him

choosing his words carefully. “It’s not about your determination or passion.

But sometimes, you need to step back and take care

the hospital, the beeping

a pang of nostalgia. It reminds me of the times

wound around one

all mussed together.

the restaurant is what keeps me going. When I face challenges, when things

now, even for a night, what message

myself? To my staff?”

that… when I saw that fire,

scared the hell out of

through my chest. Without thinking, I reach out,

And I’m grateful for your concern, truly. But the best way you can support

is to understand.”

moment, absorbing my words. The m uffled sounds of

up, a determined

condition.”

an eyebrow. “Which

going back to that restaurant,

smile tugs at my lips.

we leave the hospital, the night air greets us, a stark contrast to

alive, lights glittering in the distance, the gentle hum of traffic a

holds the door open for me, ever the

he asks, one

reply with newfound

drive back to the restaurant is filled with comfortable silence, the kind that comes

into a cascade of lights

corner holding

the familiar outline of my restaurant comes into view, I feel a mixture

a testament

out front, his gaze

I reply with

with purpose, the kitchen hums with

wafts through the air. I can see Jake orchestrating the dance,

tension in his shoulders.

enter, relief flooding his features. “Boss! You’re

promised, didn’t I?” I

on his lips. “You truly

would’ve given up, you push

when you

shakes his head in wonder.