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?”

my flustered expression. “I had a question about the bar,

busy—”

not wanting to raise her suspicions further, I quickly interrupt

back?” I hang up

her curiosity

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

you need?”

with her query about the

my desk, scanning the various notes and lists.

from under a pile of papers—the design for her birthday

she asks,

into my pocket. “Oh, just

get when I’m brainstorming.”

clearly skeptical but doesn’t press further.

retreating

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

design I’d spent hours perfecting. The close calls are becoming

discovering everything grows with each

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

with Chloe around. Every single detail could

made, I grab my bag and start stowing away the various party-planning materials. If I’m

I’ll have to stay late, work in the quiet hours when there’s

walking in on me.

I steel myself for the long night ahead.

on her birthday, it’ll be

…

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

a

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

past midnight, but sleep is

on my

staff, feels eerily quiet

clatter from the kitchen.

rests beside

warmth and laughter from that day feels

of

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

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

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

my gaze away, I refocus on the list of party essentials.

her favorite shade of sea blue… Every detail counts. The looming

tangible

surprise was spoiled. I won’t let that happen again. And

so it’s a bit of a milestone. I want

the kitchen, followed

my muscles protesting from hours of inactivity. As

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

reflect the

call out as I approach the

wiping his

to see me. The stainless-steel

his tanned skin and dark hair stand out