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?”

fixed on my flustered expression. “I had a question about the bar, but if

busy—”

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

up without waiting for

her curiosity evident. “Who was

casual shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier. Nothing

you need?”

unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk, I

eyes on my desk, scanning the various notes and lists.

of

she asks,

stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles. You

get when I’m brainstorming.”

squints, clearly skeptical but doesn’t press further. “Alright. Well, I’ll leave

retreating from

I sink into my chair,

perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent, and the

grows with

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

single

made, I grab my bag and start stowing

I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet

walking in on me.

the darkening sky outside, I steel myself for the long

on her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

dim light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over

and a

the overhead light is the

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

heavy on my

with patrons and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

framed picture of Chloe and me rests beside my

festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a world apart from the

atmosphere of my

jolted back to reality when a paperclip

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

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

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

sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure

becomes a tangible

was spoiled. I

it’s a bit of a milestone. I want it to

the kitchen, followed by

protesting from hours of inactivity. As

lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

shine, reflect the ambient lighting

call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a silhouette moving

emerges, wiping his hands on a

he responds, looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of the

tanned skin and dark hair