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?”

expression. “I

busy—”

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

up

narrows her eyes, her curiosity evident.

the guilt. “Oh, just

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As we

notes and

under a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

asks, pointing at

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

doesn’t press further.

retreating from my

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

The close calls

Chloe discovering everything grows with each

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

Chloe around. Every single

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

stay late, work in the quiet hours when there’s less chance

walking in on me.

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

Chloe’s smile on her

…

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

and a half-finished cake

soft hum of the overhead light is the only sound

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

on

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

clatter from the kitchen.

picture of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our

and laughter from that day feels

of

to reality when

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

one of her overseas trips. Everything in this

my gaze away, I refocus on the list of

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

tangible weight on my

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I

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

the kitchen,

muscles protesting from hours of

cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

shine, reflect the ambient lighting

as I

wiping his

to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop

skin and dark