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

busy—”

I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin,

I hang up without waiting for his

eyes, her curiosity evident.

push down the

you need?”

with her query about the bar. As we

and lists. Her eyes stop on the corner of a

out from under a pile of papers—the

she asks, pointing at

the paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles. You know how

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating from

my chair, heart pounding.

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

everything grows

options. There’s no way I can continue

single detail could potentially blow the

start stowing away the various party-planning materials. If I’m

late, work in the quiet hours

walking in on me.

I steel myself for the long night ahead.

smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

sit hunched over a desk piled high with sc ttered

and a half-finished cake

light is the only

past midnight, but sleep is a distant

heavy on my

with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces

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

of

thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip

my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

overseas trips. Everything in this room reminds me of her

the list of party essentials. String

Every detail counts. The looming pressure

tangible

time we celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled.

it’s a bit of

from the kitchen, followed by a muted

stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

to a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

Who’s here?” I call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a

emerges, wiping his hands

surprised to see me. The

his tanned skin and dark hair stand