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

busy—”

wanting to raise her suspicions further, I

hang up without waiting

her eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who was

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

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As we

and lists. Her eyes

a pile of papers—the design for her

asks,

the paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

retreating from

behind her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out the cake sketch, staring

hours perfecting. The close calls are

discovering everything grows with each

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

Every single detail could potentially blow

stowing away the various party-planning

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

walking in on me.

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

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

…

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

a half-finished cake

overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The

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

heavy on

with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

picture of Chloe and me rests beside my

festival. The warmth and laughter from that day

of

jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops

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

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

on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral

sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming

becomes a tangible weight

the surprise was spoiled. I

it’s a bit of a milestone. I want

the kitchen,

my muscles protesting from

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me.

shine, reflect the ambient

as I

his hands on a

surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of

his tanned skin and dark hair stand