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

busy—”

to raise her suspicions further, I

up without waiting for his

eyes, her curiosity

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

you need?”

query about

desk, scanning the various notes and lists.

out from under a pile of papers—the design for

that?” she asks, pointing at the

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating

the door shuts behind her, I sink into my chair, heart pounding. I

design I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent,

grows with each passing

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

with Chloe around. Every single detail could

I grab my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials. If

I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when

walking in on me.

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

smile on her birthday,

…

light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk piled high with sc

a half-finished cake

the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my

but

heavy on my

and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation,

music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels

of my

I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap,

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

trips. Everything in this room reminds me of her in

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

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

tangible

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

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

distant clang echoes from the

protesting from hours

scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s aged

a shine, reflect the ambient

I call out as I approach the kitchen,

wiping his

to

dark hair stand out