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?”

her gaze fixed on my flustered expression. “I had a question

busy—”

further, I quickly interrupt Mr.

hang up without waiting for his

eyes, her

push down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier. Nothing urgent.

you need?”

she proceeds with her query about the bar.

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

a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

that?” she asks, pointing

into my pocket. “Oh,

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating from

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

hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming

discovering everything grows with each

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

Every single detail could potentially blow the

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

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

walking in on me.

myself for the long night ahead. The

smile on her

…

cluttered office, I sit hunched over a

a half-finished

of the overhead light is the only sound accompanying my

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

heavy on my

and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

me rests beside

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

of my

back to reality when a paperclip drops

fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath

Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in this

I refocus on the list of

sea blue… Every detail

becomes a tangible weight on my

together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again. And

it’s a bit of

distant clang echoes from the

stand and stretch, my muscles protesting

lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The

a shine, reflect the ambient

out as I approach the kitchen,

wiping his hands on

he responds, looking surprised to see me.

skin and dark