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, but if

busy—”

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

back?” I hang up without waiting for

narrows her eyes, her curiosity

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

you need?”

proceeds with her query about the bar. As

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

a pile of

asks, pointing at the

thinking, I grab the paper and stuff it into my

get when I’m brainstorming.”

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

retreating

I sink into my chair, heart pounding.

close calls

grows with each passing

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

with Chloe around. Every single detail

my bag and start stowing away

have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when

walking in on me.

I steel myself for the long night ahead. The task

on her birthday, it’ll be worth

…

sit hunched over a desk

a half-finished cake

hum of the overhead light is the

it’s past midnight, but sleep

on my

and staff, feels

clatter from the kitchen.

of Chloe and me rests beside my workstation,

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

of

I’m jolted back to reality when a paperclip

fingers brushing

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

gaze away, I refocus on the list of

blue… Every detail counts. The looming pressure

a tangible weight on

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

bit of a milestone. I want it to be

echoes from the kitchen, followed by

piqued, I stand and stretch, my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity.

scented cleaner wafts toward me. The

to a shine, reflect the ambient lighting from overhead

as I

his hands on a

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

his tanned skin and dark hair stand out