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?”

fixed on my flustered expression. “I

busy—”

further, I quickly interrupt Mr.

hang up without waiting for his

her eyes, her

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

you need?”

she proceeds with her query about the bar.

notes and lists. Her eyes stop on the

of papers—the design for her birthday

asks,

and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating

chair, heart pounding. I pull out

The close calls are becoming too frequent, and

grows

I consider my options. There’s no way I

single detail

I grab my bag and start stowing away the various

this surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work

walking in on me.

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

her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

light of my cluttered office, I sit hunched over a desk

a

soft hum of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my scribbles. The large clock

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

heavy on

patrons and staff, feels eerily

clatter from the kitchen.

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

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

atmosphere of

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

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

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

refocus on the list of party essentials. String

blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure

a tangible

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

of

echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

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

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

I approach

wiping his

responds, looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel

skin and dark hair