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?”

her gaze fixed on my flustered expression. “I had

busy—”

raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin,

hang up without

her eyes, her

to push down the guilt.

you need?”

query about

and lists. Her eyes stop on the corner of a

from under a pile of papers—the

asks, pointing

I grab the paper and stuff it into my pocket.

get when I’m brainstorming.”

skeptical but doesn’t press further. “Alright.

retreating

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

I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls

everything grows with

out a deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s no way

with Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially blow the

grab my bag and start stowing away the

pull off this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet hours

walking in on me.

at the darkening sky outside, I steel myself for

smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

sit

and a

light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The

past midnight, but sleep is a

on my

usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save

clatter from the kitchen.

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

laughter from that day feels a world apart from

of my

jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from the

fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath my

from Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in

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

blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

tangible weight

last time we celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again. And

of a milestone.

the kitchen, followed

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours

of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The

shine, reflect the ambient lighting from

as I approach the

emerges, wiping his hands

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see

tanned skin and dark