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?”

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

busy—”

raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt

I hang up without

eyes, her curiosity evident.

casual shrug, trying to push down the guilt. “Oh, just

you need?”

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

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

under a pile of papers—the design

that?” she asks,

it into

get when I’m brainstorming.”

press further. “Alright. Well,

retreating from

chair, heart pounding. I pull out

The close calls are becoming too frequent,

grows with each

my options.

with Chloe around. Every single detail could potentially blow the

stowing away the various party-planning materials.

have to stay late, work in the quiet

walking in on me.

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

Chloe’s smile on her birthday, it’ll

…

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

and a half-finished

the overhead light is the only

midnight, but sleep is a distant luxury, and

on

with patrons and staff, feels eerily

clatter from the kitchen.

Chloe and me rests beside my workstation, our

laughter from that day feels a world apart

of

thoughts, I’m jolted back to reality

my fingers brushing against the intricate rug

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

on the list of party essentials. String

sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure of

tangible weight

surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that

so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want it to

clang echoes from the kitchen, followed

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

smell of lemon scented cleaner wafts toward me. The restaurant’s

to a shine, reflect the

Who’s here?” I call out as I approach

his

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

and dark hair stand out even