Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 49: Up Late
Abby

The morning sun bathes my office in a gentle glow as I dial Leah’s number, eager to discuss Chloe’s

upcoming birthday.

The phone rings a few times before Leah’s raspy voice picks up on the other end.

“Abby? That you?”

“Leah, hey,” I greet, trying to hide my concern. “You sound terrible. What’s up?”

She lets out a congested laugh. “Caught a nasty cold. I’m in bed, sipping on some horrid chicken soup.

Can’t believe I’m missing all the action.”

“That’s terrible,” I answer. “I was hoping you could help with Chloe’s party prep.”

A pause ensues, and I hear Leah sigh. “I wish I could, Abby. I had so many ideas, but right now I can

barely lift my head off the pillow.”

I let out a quiet chuckle, trying to keep the mood light. “Don’t worry about it. Just rest up and get better,

okay? We’ll need you at the party in top form.”

“What about the cake? I know you were keen on baking Chloe’s favorite, the red velvet one.”

“I’ve got it covered,” I assure her. “And the party details too. It’s a lot, but I can handle it.”

“You sure?” Leah sounds skeptical.

“It’s no big deal,” I reply, although a nagging feeling at the back of my mind suggests otherwise.

“Alright, if you say so. Just promise you won’t burn out.”

“I promise,” I say, although the weight of responsibility is already settling in my chest. “Oh, and I’ll be

over later to bring you some chicken soup that’s not horrid, okay?”

After ending the call, I immediately switch tasks, reaching for my phone again to book a karaoke place

for the party.

The man on the other end, Mr. Lin, sounds elderly, his voice raspy but jovial.

“Lin’s Karaoke. How can I help you?”

“Hello, Mr. Lin, I’d like to rent one of your rooms for a private party,” I begin, but before I can finish, the

door to my office swings open, revealing Chloe, looking puzzled.

“Abby, do you have a minute?” she asks, her eyes darting to the various party notes strewn across my

desk.

“Um,” I falter, my attention divided between Chloe and Mr. Lin. “Just a sec,” I tell him and turn my

attention to Chloe. “What’s up?”

flustered expression. “I had a question about the

busy—”

I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry, can

up

her eyes, her

a casual shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just

you need?”

query about the bar. As

various notes and lists.

out from under a pile of papers—the design

that?” she asks,

into my pocket. “Oh, just

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well, I’ll leave

retreating

into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out the cake

intricate design I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent, and the

discovering everything grows with each

out a deep sigh, I consider my options.

Chloe around. Every single detail

my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials.

off this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when there’s less chance of

walking in on me.

steel myself

smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

cluttered office, I sit

a half-finished cake

is the

midnight, but

heavy on

staff, feels eerily quiet now, save

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside my workstation,

at a music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a

of my

back to reality when a paperclip drops

the wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

Everything in this room reminds me of her in

gaze away, I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral

shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure of

a tangible weight on

time we celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let

so it’s a bit of

distant clang echoes from the kitchen,

piqued, I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

cleaner wafts

reflect the ambient

I

his hands on a

to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop

and dark hair stand out