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?”

on my flustered expression. “I had a question about the

busy—”

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

hang up

narrows her eyes, her curiosity

trying to push down the guilt.

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As

notes and lists. Her

of papers—the design

asks, pointing at the

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating

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

The close calls are

everything grows with each

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

Every single

and start stowing away the various party-planning

surprise, I’ll have to stay late, work in the

walking in on me.

outside, I steel myself for the long night

Chloe’s smile on her birthday,

…

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

and a half-finished cake

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

past midnight, but sleep is

heavy on my

with patrons and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

framed picture of Chloe and me rests beside my

The warmth and laughter from that day feels a world apart

atmosphere of my

to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap, clinking

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

from Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in this

gaze away, I refocus on the list

sea blue… Every

tangible weight on

was spoiled. I

it’s a bit of a

distant clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a

piqued, I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of

cleaner wafts toward me. The

reflect the

Who’s here?” I call out as I approach the kitchen,

his hands

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

and dark hair stand