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?”

her gaze fixed on my flustered expression. “I had a question about the bar,

busy—”

her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry,

up without waiting

her eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who was

trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just

you need?”

her query about the bar. As we talk, I

my desk, scanning the various notes and

from under a pile of papers—the

asks, pointing

paper and stuff it into

get when I’m brainstorming.”

doesn’t press further. “Alright. Well, I’ll

retreating from my

I sink into my chair, heart pounding.

I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent,

everything grows with each

deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way

Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially blow

grab my bag and start stowing away the various

stay late, work in

walking in on me.

myself for the long night ahead. The task

smile on her birthday, it’ll be

…

of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with sc

a half-finished

light is the

past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and Chloe’s

on my

and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save for

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces captured

and laughter from that day feels a world apart

of

back to reality when a paperclip drops

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

from Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in this

refocus on the list of

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

becomes a tangible weight

surprise was spoiled. I won’t

of a milestone. I want it to be

from the kitchen, followed by

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As I

wafts toward me.

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from

I call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a

wiping his hands

looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel

tanned skin and dark hair stand