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?”

hesitates, her gaze fixed on my flustered expression. “I had a question about the

busy—”

her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin,

up

eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who was

to push down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier. Nothing urgent. What

you need?”

looks unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about the bar.

scanning the various notes and lists. Her eyes

pile of papers—the design for her birthday

asks, pointing at the

stuff it into my pocket. “Oh,

get when I’m brainstorming.”

skeptical but doesn’t press further.

She smirks, retreating from

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

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

Chloe discovering everything grows with

a deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way I can continue planning during

Every single

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

work in the quiet hours when there’s less chance

walking in on me.

outside, I steel myself for the long night ahead. The task seems

her birthday, it’ll be

…

dim light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a

and a half-finished cake

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

past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and

on

staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

Chloe and me rests beside my

laughter from that

of

thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap, clinking

floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate

overseas trips. Everything in this room reminds me of her in

my gaze away, I refocus on the list of

sea blue… Every

tangible weight on my

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I

of a milestone. I

echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting

wafts toward me.

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

here?” I call out as I approach

his hands

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

and dark