Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

#Chapter 53: A Mess To Clean
Abby

The sun’s barely peeking over the h o rizon as I pull open the door to the restaurant.

I can already feel the hustle of a new day, the potential for a fresh start. Walking in, I expect the familiar

comfort of an empty space, but I’m met instead with Ethan’s brooding form. His jaw is set tight, his

brow furrowed.

He doesn’t look up as I approach.

“Morning,” I greet cautiously, sensing the tension in the air.

He sighs heavily. “Abby… What the hell happened here last night?”

Confused, I follow his gaze. The kitchen. Oh no. My heart ski ps a beat as memories of last night flood

back. The cooking. The laughter. The… moment with Karl.

“What do you mean?” I manage to ask, feigning ignorance.

Ethan’s eyes fix on me, and I can see his irritation. “I’ll show you.” Without waiting for a reply, he leads

me into the disaster zone that is the kitchen.

Every counter is smeared with remnants of our late-night feast. Pots and pans are sc at tered

everywhere, some still containing leftover food. The sight makes my stomach churn with guilt. How

could I have been so careless?

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “I… I was working late last night. Got hungry and…” I trail off, trying to

find a good excuse, but words fail me.

Ethan just raises an eyebrow, his expression demanding more.

“And… I forgot to clean up,” I finish lamely, avoiding his gaze.

A beat of silence. Then, “Forgot?” His tone is sharp, filled with disbelief.

My mind races. If he even catches a hint of what transpired with Karl, rumors would spread like wildfire,

jeopardizing not only my reputation but potentially the restaurant’s as well.

“I was exhausted,” I murmur.

His eyes scan the kitchen, lingering on a particular spot on the counter, and my heart races. That’s

No. I shake my head m entally. Now’s

breath, I roll up my sleeves. “I’ll clean this up,

“Just… be more careful, Abby.

idea, I think grimly. But

with the mess—both the literal one in the kitchen and

I scrub the counters, my mind can’t help but drift back

To Karl.

spot I clean, every dish I wash, feels like an echo of his presence. The way

his laughter, the touch of

stop this. Last night was a mistake.

I shouldn’t be thinking about him

I scrub, the more I try to erase not just the

confusion. The

to pass as I’m lost in my thoughts, cleaning up my mess in more ways than

kitchen is spotless—gleaming counters and organized

sort out my emotions.

lean against the counter, the same one where Karl and I shared that

raw. But this is neither the

the counter, reminding myself of

and the promises I

focus on the present, not get lost in the

…

sunlight sl ants through the half-drawn blinds, casting

monthly earnings. There’s a particular rhythm to

outside my office gently soothes

there’s a knock,

I call out, expecting to

door swings open to reveal a tall, commanding

in a sharp charcoal suit, with an air of unquestionable authority, the stranger’s steel blue

himself. “You’re Abby, correct?” he asks.

restaurant?”

wasn’t expecting any health inspectors

smiles. “I’m

greet him, I shake his offered hand, slightly taken

believe we had an appointment. How

“I represent the Alpha Gathering

surprise, but your restaurant has garnered

gathering. It’s where deals are struck and alliances formed, all

meals and

I promised to go on that date with Karl, since I lost

mind races, trying to grasp why a representative from the committee

modest office.

continues, his tone steady, “Among countless establishments in

finalists we’re considering to cater for our