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

busy—”

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

up without waiting for his

her eyes, her

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

you need?”

her query about the bar. As we talk, I

various notes and

under a pile of papers—the

she asks, pointing at

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating from

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

perfecting. The close calls are becoming

everything grows

sigh, I consider my options.

around. Every single detail could

I grab my bag and start stowing away

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

walking in on me.

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

smile on her

…

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

a half-finished

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

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

heavy on my

usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet

clatter from the kitchen.

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

festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels a world apart from

atmosphere of my

to reality when a paperclip drops

it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath my

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

list of

favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail counts.

tangible weight on

last time we celebrated together, the surprise was

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

clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a muted

protesting from hours

wafts toward me.

a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from

out as I approach the kitchen, spotting a

his hands on

just me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of

his tanned skin and dark hair stand