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?”

flustered expression. “I had a question

busy—”

not wanting to raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry, can I

I hang up without waiting for

narrows her eyes, her curiosity evident. “Who

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

you need?”

query about the

various notes and lists. Her eyes stop

out from under a pile of papers—the design

asks,

grab the paper and stuff it into my pocket. “Oh, just

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating from

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

hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming too frequent,

everything grows with each

I consider my options. There’s no

Every single detail could

start stowing away the various party-planning materials. If

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

walking in on me.

myself for the

her birthday, it’ll

…

the dim light of my cluttered office, I sit

a half-finished cake

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

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

heavy on my

with patrons and staff,

clatter from the kitchen.

beside my workstation, our grinning

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

atmosphere of my

my thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from

the wooden floor. I retrieve it, my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

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

I refocus on the list of party essentials. String lights, floral centerpieces,

Every detail counts. The looming pressure of

tangible weight on

celebrated together, the surprise was

bit of a milestone.

echoes from the kitchen, followed

my muscles protesting

the smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts

reflect the

here?” I call out as I approach the

his

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

tanned skin and dark hair stand