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 the bar,

busy—”

suspicions further, I quickly interrupt Mr. Lin, “I’m sorry, can I

up without waiting for

eyes, her curiosity

down the guilt. “Oh, just a supplier.

you need?”

about the bar. As we talk, I

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

from under a pile of papers—the design for

she asks, pointing at

and stuff it into my

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

smirks, retreating from

my chair, heart pounding. I pull

spent hours perfecting. The close calls are

grows

options. There’s

around. Every single detail could potentially

bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials.

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

walking in on me.

the darkening sky outside, I steel myself for

smile on her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

cluttered office, I sit hunched

a half-finished

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

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

heavy on

usually abuzz with patrons and staff, feels eerily quiet

clatter from the kitchen.

picture of Chloe and me rests beside my

festival. The warmth and laughter from that day feels

atmosphere of my

I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip drops from the heap, clinking

it, my fingers brushing against the

Chloe after one of her overseas trips. Everything in this

my gaze away, I refocus on the list

of sea blue… Every detail counts. The

becomes a tangible weight

last time we celebrated together, the surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen

of a milestone. I want it to be

the

stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of

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

to a shine, reflect the ambient lighting

I call out as I approach

emerges, wiping his

me,” he responds, looking surprised to see me. The

dark