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?”

fixed on my flustered expression. “I

busy—”

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

I hang up without waiting for his

eyes, her curiosity evident.

to push down the guilt. “Oh, just a

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As we talk,

various notes and lists. Her eyes stop

a pile of papers—the

that?” she asks, pointing at

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

She smirks, retreating from

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

spent hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent, and

discovering everything grows

deep sigh, I consider my options. There’s

with Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially blow

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 of

walking in on me.

steel myself

smile on her birthday,

…

office, I sit hunched

a half-finished

the only

past midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and

heavy on my

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

clatter from the kitchen.

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

music festival. The warmth and laughter from that day

of

to reality when a paperclip drops

it, my fingers brushing against the

Everything in this room

gaze away, I refocus on the list of party

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

a tangible weight on my

was spoiled. I won’t let that happen

bit of a milestone. I want

from the kitchen, followed by a

muscles protesting

cleaner wafts toward me. The

the ambient lighting from

as I approach the kitchen, spotting a silhouette

his

just me,” he responds, looking surprised to

skin and dark hair