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 question about the bar, but

busy—”

her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt

I hang up without

eyes, her curiosity

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

you need?”

query about the bar. As we talk, I

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

a pile of

that?” she asks, pointing at

and stuff it into my

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating from

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

hours perfecting. The close calls

discovering everything grows with each passing

consider my options. There’s no way I

single

grab my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials.

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

walking in on me.

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

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

hum of the overhead light is the only sound

it’s past midnight, but sleep is

heavy on

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

clatter from the kitchen.

beside

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

of

reality when a paperclip drops from the heap,

it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

of her overseas trips. Everything in

list of party essentials. String lights, floral

sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure

becomes a tangible weight on

we celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again.

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

echoes from the kitchen, followed

my muscles protesting from hours

lemon scented cleaner wafts

the ambient lighting from

I call out as I

emerges, wiping his hands on a

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

skin and dark