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 the

busy—”

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

hang up without

narrows her eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who

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

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk,

desk, scanning the various notes and

under a pile of papers—the design for

she asks, pointing at

it into my pocket. “Oh,

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating

sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull

spent hours perfecting. The close calls

Chloe discovering everything grows

options. There’s no way

around. Every single detail could potentially blow

grab my bag and start stowing away

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

walking in on me.

sky outside, I steel myself for the

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

…

light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched

a half-finished cake

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

midnight, but sleep is

on

patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside my workstation,

festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a

atmosphere of my

I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from

fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath

Everything in this room reminds me of her

I refocus on the list of party essentials. String

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every

a tangible weight on

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t

so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

piqued, I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As I step into

cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

to a shine, reflect the ambient lighting

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

his hands on

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me.

dark hair stand