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

busy—”

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

I hang up without waiting

eyes, her

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

you need?”

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

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

out from under a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

asks, pointing at

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well, I’ll leave you

She smirks, retreating from

into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out the

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

Chloe discovering everything grows

options. There’s no

single detail could potentially blow

start stowing away the various party-planning

pull off this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work in the

walking in on me.

sky outside, I steel myself

smile on her birthday, it’ll be

…

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

a

the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The large clock

it’s past midnight, but sleep is

on

with patrons and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside

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

atmosphere of my

back to reality

retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath my

of her overseas trips. Everything in this room

list of

Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

a tangible weight

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again. And

bit of a milestone. I want

from the kitchen, followed by a muted

my muscles protesting

lemon scented cleaner wafts

shine, reflect the ambient lighting

I call out as I approach

wiping his hands on a

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

dark hair stand out