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

busy—”

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

I hang up without

eyes, her curiosity evident.

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

you need?”

but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk, I can’t

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

a pile of

asks, pointing at the

grab the paper and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

but doesn’t press further. “Alright.

She smirks, retreating from

my chair, heart pounding. I pull out

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

discovering everything grows with

out a deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s

around. Every single detail could

bag and start stowing away

have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when there’s less chance of

walking in on me.

darkening sky outside, I steel myself

for Chloe’s smile on her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

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

and a half-finished

light is the only

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

on my

with patrons and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

beside

and laughter from that day feels a world apart from the

atmosphere of my

to reality when

retrieve it, my fingers

from Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in

refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights,

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

a tangible weight on my

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I

of

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed

muscles protesting

the smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me.

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

I call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting

emerges, wiping his hands on a

to see me. The

dark hair stand out even