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

I… No. I shake my head m

I roll up my sleeves. “I’ll clean

his anger simmering down to annoyance. “Just… be more careful, Abby. This

But all I say is,

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

the counters, my mind

To Karl.

I clean, every dish I wash, feels like an

his laughter, the touch of his

I need to stop this. Last night was a mistake. An indiscretion borne out of nostalgia and

shouldn’t be

more I try to erase not just the stains of food but the remnants

The longing.

to pass as I’m lost in my thoughts, cleaning up

done, the kitchen is spotless—gleaming counters and organized tools. I wish it was as

sort out my emotions.

where Karl and I shared that

feelings raw. But this is neither the time nor the place to deal

I push away from the counter, reminding myself of

the promises I made to

to focus on the present, not

…

sl ants through the half-drawn blinds, casting soft golden beams onto

a particular rhythm to the mornings here,

my office gently soothes my usually anxious

knock, crisp

call out, expecting to see

the door swings open to reveal a tall, commanding figure

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

hand, introducing himself. “You’re Abby, correct?”

restaurant?”

I wasn’t expecting

man smiles. “I’m Calvin

hand, slightly taken aback by the

had an appointment. How can I help

preamble, he begins, “I represent the Alpha

a surprise, but your restaurant has garnered quite the

know all about the Alpha gathering. It’s where deals are struck

meals and

I promised to go on that date with Karl,

races, trying to grasp why a representative from

modest office.

his tone steady, “Among countless establishments in

finalists we’re considering to cater for our