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?”

expression. “I had a question about

busy—”

raise her suspicions further, I quickly

up without

her eyes, her curiosity evident.

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

you need?”

about

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

a pile of papers—the

she asks, pointing at the

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating

behind her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I

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

grows with each passing

options.

with Chloe around. Every single detail

stowing away the various party-planning materials.

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

walking in on me.

I steel myself

smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

the dim light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched

a half-finished

overhead light is the only sound

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

on my

restaurant, usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside my workstation, our

and laughter from that day feels

atmosphere of my

back to reality when a paperclip

wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers

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

refocus on the list of party essentials.

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

tangible

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

bit of a milestone. I want

distant clang echoes from the kitchen,

my muscles protesting from hours of

scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s aged wooden

shine, reflect the ambient lighting from

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

wiping his hands

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

his tanned skin and dark hair stand out even