Chasing His Kickass Luna Back

Chapter 0456

Abby

The sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, as the first day of the library project comes to an end.

My team and | are packing up our tent, the aroma of our day’s cooking still lingering in the air. We're all tired, but there’s a sense of accomplishment that hangs around us, a satisfaction in a day's hard work.

| know it’s going to be a long week since we'll be coming back every day for the rest of the week, but it'll be worth it. It’s nice to be with them again, and I’m also glad to give them some actual paid work—even if the money is coming from none other than Karl.

As we're closing up the tent, the event organizers approach us. Their smiles are wide, their gratitude genuine. “Thank you so much for all of your hard work today,” one of them, a woman with bright, enthusiastic eyes, says. “The food was amazing, and your team’s energy really helped lift everyone's spirits.”

Karl, who's been helping with the final touches of packing up even though I’m sure he’s utterly exhausted from lifting heavy beams all day, nods and thanks them. “Abby and her team are the best,” he says.

The other organizer, an older man with wire-rimmed glasses and a jovial air about him, chuckles. “Well,” he says, “too bad you don’t have a restaurant here, Abby. I’d certainly be dining under your roof every day.”

His words make me blush. “Thank you, both of you,” | say.

Once the organizers leave, my team starts discussing plans to go out for drinks. | can see the excitement in their eyes—they deserve a night of relaxation after all of their hard work today. But I’m just too drained, both physically and emotionally. The comfort of a hot bath and my soft bed is calling to me.

“You guys go on without me,” | tell them, smiling to soften the blow. “I’m just beat. Have a drink for me, okay?”

They protest at first, but | insist, and eventually, they give in. Waving goodbye, | watch them head off, chatting and laughing, their spirits high. Karl trails along behind him, shooting me a glance over his shoulder.

I can tell he’s torn, but Anton and John are insistent on dragging him along, and | think he secretly wants to chat with them. | think they kind of turned into his friends when he was in the city, aside from Chloe.

| start walking back to the mansion alone, the quiet of the evening a welcome reprieve after the busy day. It’s peaceful, but my mind is anything but. | keep replaying the day in my head, especially the moment with the food poisoning joke.

| have to admit that I’m proud of how | handled it, but it’s just one of many challenges | know I'll face until the truth about the Alpha party is officially proven.

In fact, I’m so lost in thought that | almost don’t hear the footsteps behind me. Turning with a start, | see Karl jogging to catch up with me. I'm surprised, to say the least.

“| thought you were going out with the team,” | say as he slows to a walk beside me.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “I changed my mind. Didn’t want you walking home alone in the dark,” he replies.

I can’t help but smile a little at that. Despite everything, he’s always been a gentleman. “Thanks, Karl,” | say, feeling a flutter in my stomach that | try to ignore.

As we walk, the silence between us is comfortable, but it doesn’t last long. Karl is curious about earlier today. “What made you take that comment about the food poisoning so well?” he asks, his tone genuinely inquisitive.

I sigh, looking up at the sky, now a deepening blue. | know it was out of character for me to stand up for myself like that. “I've been thinking a lot lately,” | admit. “Taking these things so seriously won't help me in the long run, and it won't create a good image for me and my staff. | have to be stronger, you know?”

Karl nods, listening intently. “Makes sense. Well, I’m impressed; you handled it really well.”

We continue walking, the gravel crunching under our feet. Then, out of the blue, Karl asks, “Could you see yourself opening a restaurant here instead of the city? Like what the organizers mentioned?”

I stop in my tracks, turning to face him. “Karl, | haven't lost the bet, and | never will,” | say with a slight chuckle, although my heart is pounding a little at the mere thought.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

For a split second, | see a flicker of something in his eyes—sadness, maybe? But it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. He punches my arm lightly, a playful grin on his face.