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 bar, but if

busy—”

suspicions further, I quickly

hang up without waiting for

her

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

you need?”

her query about the

and

under a pile of papers—the design

she asks, pointing

and stuff it into my

get when I’m brainstorming.”

clearly skeptical but doesn’t press further. “Alright.

smirks, retreating

into my chair, heart pounding. I pull out the cake sketch, staring

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

grows with each

I consider my options. There’s no way I can continue planning

single detail could

I grab my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials. If I’m

work in

walking in on me.

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

on her

…

office, I sit hunched over

a half-finished cake

is the only sound accompanying

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

heavy on

restaurant, usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet now, save

clatter from the kitchen.

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

at a music festival. The warmth and laughter from that

of

thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a

my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath my

of her overseas trips. Everything in

I refocus on the list

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every

a tangible weight on my

was spoiled. I

twenty-fifth birthday, so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want it to be

echoes from the

stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As I

scented cleaner wafts toward me. The

to a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

I call out as I approach the kitchen, spotting

wiping his hands on

surprised to see me. The stainless-steel backdrop of

skin and dark hair stand