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?”

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

busy—”

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

back?” I hang up without waiting for his

eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who was

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

you need?”

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

various notes and lists. Her eyes stop on

out from under a pile of

that?” she asks, pointing at the

it into my pocket. “Oh, just

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating from my

shuts behind her, I sink into my chair, heart

The close calls are becoming too frequent, and the

Chloe discovering everything grows with

options. There’s no way

Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially

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

late, work in the quiet hours

walking in on me.

I steel myself for the long night ahead.

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

…

cluttered office, I sit hunched over

a half-finished

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

wall informs me that it’s past midnight, but

heavy on

usually abuzz with patrons and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

and me rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces captured during

warmth and laughter from

atmosphere of

to reality when a paperclip

I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath

Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything

I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral centerpieces,

shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

a tangible weight

surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that

bit of a milestone. I want it

echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

muscles protesting from hours

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward

the ambient lighting from overhead

I call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a silhouette

emerges, wiping his

me,” he responds, looking surprised to

tanned skin and dark hair stand