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

busy—”

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

up

her

shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier.

you need?”

about the bar. As we talk,

the various notes and lists.

out from under a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

asks, pointing at the

and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

doesn’t press further. “Alright. Well, I’ll leave

She smirks, retreating from

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

I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls

everything grows

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

single detail could potentially blow the

stowing away the various party-planning materials. If

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

walking in on me.

the darkening sky outside, I steel myself for the long

smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

sit hunched over

a half-finished cake

the only sound accompanying my scribbles.

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

on my

staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside my workstation, our

and laughter from that

of

in my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops

retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the

overseas trips. Everything in this

I refocus on the list

favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming

becomes a tangible weight on my

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen

twenty-fifth birthday, so it’s a bit of a

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As

smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

shine, reflect the ambient lighting

as I approach the kitchen, spotting

emerges, wiping his

looking surprised to see

and dark