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—”

raise her suspicions further, I

hang up without

narrows her eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who

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

you need?”

but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk, I can’t help

notes and lists. Her eyes stop on the corner of a

from under a pile of papers—the design for her

that?” she asks, pointing at the

it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles. You know how

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well, I’ll

smirks, retreating

my chair,

The close calls are becoming

discovering everything grows with each

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

Every single detail could potentially blow

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

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

walking in on me.

steel myself for the long

for Chloe’s smile on her

…

of my cluttered office, I sit hunched

a half-finished cake

soft hum of the overhead light is the only sound

midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and Chloe’s

heavy on my

patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces

laughter from that day feels a world apart from

atmosphere of

to reality when a paperclip

floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing

overseas trips. Everything in this room

the list

Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

becomes a tangible weight on my

surprise was spoiled. I

of a milestone. I want it to be

clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

protesting from hours

lemon scented cleaner wafts

shine, reflect the ambient lighting from

out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a

wiping his

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

dark hair stand