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?”

flustered expression. “I had a question about the bar, but

busy—”

not wanting to raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m

hang up without waiting for

eyes, her

push down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier.

you need?”

with her query about the bar.

eyes on my desk, scanning the various notes and

under a pile of papers—the design

that?” she asks, pointing

paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh,

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating from my

the door shuts behind her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull

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

discovering everything grows

options. There’s no way I can continue

single

stowing away

this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work

walking in on me.

darkening sky outside, I steel myself for the long night ahead.

on her

…

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

a half-finished

hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles.

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

on my

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

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our

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

of my

jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from

I retrieve it, my fingers

Everything

the list of party essentials.

blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure of

becomes a tangible weight on

was spoiled. I won’t let that happen

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

clang echoes from the

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

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

reflect the ambient lighting

I approach the kitchen, spotting a silhouette

wiping his hands on

to see me. The stainless-steel

dark hair stand out even