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 bar, but if

busy—”

wanting to raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr.

hang up

eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who was

shrug, trying to push down the

you need?”

about the bar.

my desk, scanning the various notes and lists. Her

out from under a pile of papers—the design for

she asks, pointing

the paper and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

further. “Alright. Well, I’ll

smirks, retreating from

the door shuts behind her, I sink into my chair,

intricate design I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls

grows with each passing

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

single detail could potentially blow

and start stowing away

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

walking in on me.

outside, I steel myself for

her birthday, it’ll be

…

light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a

and a half-finished cake

is the only sound accompanying

me that it’s past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and

heavy on my

restaurant, usually abuzz with patrons and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside my workstation, our grinning faces

music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a world

of my

I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops

it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath

overseas trips. Everything in this

gaze away, I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights,

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every

tangible weight on my

the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let

so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want it to

echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As I

of lemon scented cleaner wafts

shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

I approach

his hands

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

dark hair stand