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?”

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

busy—”

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

up without waiting for his

her curiosity evident. “Who was

trying to push down the

you need?”

her query about the bar. As

various notes and lists. Her eyes stop on the

from under a pile of papers—the

asks,

paper and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating

I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out

hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent, and

Chloe discovering everything grows with

sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way I can continue

around. Every single detail could potentially blow

made, I grab my bag and start stowing away the

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

walking in on me.

outside, I steel myself

her birthday, it’ll

…

my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with

a half-finished cake

soft hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The large clock

wall informs me that it’s past midnight, but sleep

on my

staff, feels eerily

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside my workstation,

The warmth and laughter from

of my

reality when a paperclip drops

I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

one of her overseas trips. Everything in

the list of

blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure

tangible

last time we celebrated together, the surprise was

bit of a milestone. I want it

the kitchen, followed

I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me.

the ambient lighting

as I approach the

wiping his hands

surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of the

skin and dark