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?”

my flustered expression. “I had a question about the bar, but

busy—”

further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry,

back?” I hang up without waiting

her curiosity evident. “Who

a casual 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

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

under a pile of

she asks, pointing at

paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just some doodles. You know

get when I’m brainstorming.”

doesn’t press further.

She smirks, retreating from

sink into my chair, heart pounding. I pull

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

discovering everything grows with

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

Every single detail could potentially blow the

and start stowing away the

stay late, work in the quiet hours

walking in on me.

steel myself for the long night

her birthday, it’ll be

…

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

a half-finished cake

light is the only sound

midnight, but

on

with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save

clatter from the kitchen.

and me rests beside my

laughter from

of

back to reality when a paperclip

the wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing

her overseas trips. Everything in

I refocus on the list of party

shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The

a tangible weight on my

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

birthday, so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want it

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of

cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

the

as I approach

his hands on a

looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel

skin and dark hair stand out