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?”

flustered expression. “I had a question

busy—”

I quickly

hang up without waiting

her curiosity

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

you need?”

looks unconvinced, but she proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk, I can’t help

desk, scanning the various notes and lists. Her eyes stop on the corner

a pile of papers—the design for her

she asks, pointing at the

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

retreating from my

chair, heart pounding. I pull

The close calls are

Chloe discovering everything grows with each

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

single detail

and start stowing away the various

stay late, work in the quiet hours when

walking in on me.

darkening sky outside, I steel myself

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

…

office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with

a half-finished

hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my

past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and

on my

abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now,

clatter from the kitchen.

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

at a music festival. The warmth and laughter from that

atmosphere of my

my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality

it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath

from Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in this room reminds me of her in some

on the list of party essentials. String

Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

a tangible weight on

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

bit of a milestone. I want it

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by

I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours

cleaner wafts

shine, reflect the ambient lighting

I approach

emerges, wiping his hands on a

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me.

skin and dark