Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 184

Abby

I’m still clutching my phone so tightly that my knuckles are probably turning white. I’m standing in the middle of the cold storeroom, my hands shaking slightly as I wait for Mr. Thompson’s verdict.

“I’ve called to inform you of the results from last night,” he says. “First of all, I hope you’re doing well.”

“Y-Yeah, I’m doing good,” I manage, struggling and, quite frankly, failing to keep my voice steady. “And you?”

Mr. Thompson chuckles lightly. “I’m well, Abby,” he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. I can picture him on the other end of the phone, probably smirking as he speaks. Is he enjoying toying with me? I need to hear the results!

My heart skips a beat, and I grip the phone even tighter. “Look, Mr. Thompson—” I begin, but he cuts me off.

“After careful consideration,” he interrupts, “the judges have decided…”

My heart feels as if it’s about to stop. This is it. My career feels like it’s hinging on this moment. Everything I’ve worked for, everything I’ve sacrificed, all comes to this. And Mr. Thompson, kind, sweet, compassionate Mr. Thompson, is taking his damn time with telling me. I want to scream.

“You’re going to cater the Alpha gathering.”

A rush of joy floods through me, and I can't contain my excitement. “Um.. ahem… excuse me,” I manage. Without waiting for a response, I put the phone down for a moment and just stand there.

Then, I’m suddenly jumping up and down, squealing with delight. I clamp my hand over my mouth, trying in vain to hide the absurd sounds that are coming out of me.

This is it! This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. No, not just waiting for, working for. And despite my odds, I made it. Everything is going to change from here on out.

Mr. Thompson’s voice crackles through the speaker then, breaking through my reverie. “Abby?” he calls out, his voice muffled by the distance. “Abby, are you there?”

I pick the phone up again, my voice breathless. “Mr. Thompson,” I breathe, “I can’t believe it! Thank you so much! I promise I won’t let you down.”

He laughs warmly. “I have no doubt about that, Abby. Your talent and passion shine through in your cooking. But that’s not all.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “It’s not?”

“No,” he replies. “Look, Abby, your story has captured the hearts of many. People are fascinated by your journey, and we believe it could be a great opportunity for your restaurant as well. I’ve scheduled a TV interview for you. It’s tomorrow. Can you attend?”

I swallow, nodding even though I know he can’t see me. “O-Of course,” I say. “Of course, I could do that.”

But then, Mr. Thompson’s tone turns more serious as he continues. “But there’s one more thing I’d like to discuss. We’ve received numerous requests from viewers who are enamored with your mysterious sous chef, ‘Ken.’ He should appear on the show with you.”

My excitement falters for a moment. I hadn’t anticipated this. Karl had played an integral part in all of this, but that was behind us now. He was back at home, focusing on his Alpha duties… and his new future Luna. He couldn’t appear on television, not like this.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Thompson,” I say, my voice filled with regret. “But he won’t be able to appear on TV anymore. In fact, he’s no longer working with me to this capacity. It was only a temporary arrangement.”

There’s a brief silence on the other end of the line. I can feel Mr. Thompson’s disappointment through the phone. “I see,” he finally says. “That’s unfortunate. But I understand.”

I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Karl has been so supportive throughout this journey, and it hurts to think that I won’t have him by my side for this next step. But I also know that it’s for the best.

After all, our paths have diverged, and it’s time for both of us to move on.

Mr. Thompson’s voice brings me back to the present. “Well then,” he continues, “I’ll be looking forward to your interview tomorrow. I’ll email you the details as soon as we’re done here.”

I can’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mr. Thompson. Really.”

With a deep breath, I hang up the phone and lean back against a storage rack, too stunned to even stand up straight. I just can’t believe it; despite everything, I’m catering the Alpha party.

After taking some time to calm down a bit, I push away from the storage rack and walk over to the door. And when I push it open, I find myself face to face with none other than…

Daisy, Ethan, Chloe, John, and Anton, all huddled together by the counter as if they weren’t just eavesdropping on my conversation. Their guilty expressions are comical, and I can’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“What’s going on here?” I ask, thoroughly amused.

They scramble to break apart, each of them pretending to be engrossed in something else entirely. Chloe suddenly finds her coffee cup fascinating, John starts examining a tray of pastries, and Ethan pretends to be deeply absorbed in his phone.

But I meet Chloe’s eyes and can’t help but grin. With a dramatic flair, I throw my arms up in the air and announce, “I’m catering the Alpha party!”

The effect is immediate. My friends erupt into cheers, and we gather in a tight circle for a big group hug. I can’t help but laugh as they shower me with congratulations and well wishes. John’s bear hug sweeps me off my feet, leaving me breathless when he finally sets me back down.

“Abby, that’s amazing!” Chloe exclaims, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Daisy wipes away a tear of joy. “I knew you could do it.”

Ethan claps me on the back, his grin infectious. “See? Told you.”

Anton nods vigorously. “I can see it now in shining lights: Chef Abby, Extraordinaire.”

I can’t help but giggle, tears of joy filling my eyes. I can’t believe I’ve made it this far, all thanks to them.

But there’s one other person who I want to thank, and he’s not here.

The space where he would normally be standing, arms folded across his chest and leaning against the counter, is empty. The apron he wore, stained with tomato sauce, is still hanging on the hook, untouched.

And my heart feels just the tiniest bit colder.

But Chloe’s voice brings me back to the present. She’s shoving something in my hand: a glass of champagne. Apparently she had the bottle hidden behind her back, and during my reverie, she popped it and began to pour.

Now, everyone is looking at me with their own champagne glasses in hand, waiting expectantly for me to say something.

I feel awkward as I clear my throat, wondering what to say.

“Gosh, guys, I…” I begin, but my voice falters. “I… I don’t know what to say. I just…”

I pause, looking around at all of my friends, at all of their smiling faces. If only there was just one more. But he’s gone, and he’s not coming back to this kitchen. That ship has sailed, and I wasn’t on it.

“Oh, fuck it,” I finally say with a laugh, raising my glass. “I love you guys. Really, from the bottom of my heart. This is all because of you. So thank you.”

There’s a silence, and for a moment, I wonder if I didn’t say enough, or if what I said wasn’t good enough. But then, Anton’s voice bellows above the rest, causing all of us to turn to face him.

“Salut!” he exclaims, holding up his glass.

We all grin in unison, holding ours up and clinking them together in one big, jumbled, beautiful mess.