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?”

“I had a question

busy—”

raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin,

I hang up

eyes, her curiosity evident.

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

you need?”

her query about the bar. As we talk, I can’t help but

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

a pile of papers—the design for

she asks, pointing

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

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating from

I sink into my chair, heart pounding.

perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent, and the

Chloe discovering everything grows with each

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

around. Every single detail could potentially blow the

grab my bag and start stowing away the various

stay late, work

walking in on me.

myself for the long night ahead. The

on her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

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

and a half-finished

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

midnight, but

heavy on my

staff, feels eerily quiet now, save for

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside

music festival. The warmth and laughter

of

back to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap, clinking

I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug beneath my

Everything in this room

the list of

Every detail counts. The looming pressure of making

becomes a tangible weight on

celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled.

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

clang echoes from the kitchen, followed by a muted

my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts

reflect the ambient lighting

call out as I approach the kitchen,

his hands on

to see me. The stainless-steel

skin and dark hair stand out