Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 196

Abby

Before I even have the chance to resist, I’m being shoved down into my office chair. Chloe grabs my makeup bag off the floor while Leah practically rips my hair out of its tight bun and gets to work.

“Ow—hey!” I whine as she begins brushing my hair. “I can handle myself! You guys don’t need to be doing this!”

“Well, too bad,” Leah says with a smirk. “We’re giving you a makeover, and you’re going to like it.”

“Just trust us. You’re going to look amazing, Abby,” Chloe says as she expertly applies eyeliner.

It seems as though my protests are going to fall on deaf ears, so I quickly give up trying to resist. Before I know it, I’m surrounded by a flurry of activity: makeup, perfume, hair straighteners, brushes, the works. The world turns into a blur of powder and the smell of lilacs, and I’m caught in the middle, just trying not to sneeze from the smell.

“Hand me the bobby pins,” Leah says, holding out her hand like a surgeon waiting for the scalpel.

“Bobby pins, coming right up,” Chloe replies.

“Are you guys sure about this?” I ask as Leah begins to pin my hair up in a half-up, half-down hairdo. “I mean… I’ll need to go back to the kitchen eventually. I was just gonna let my hair down and then put it back up later.”

Leah scoffs. “Do you really want to go out there with your hair looking all smashed up from your tight bun?” she asks.

“Seriously, Abby,” Chloe says with a huff. “I mean, think about those Lunas who practically hate your guts and everything you stand for. You don’t wanna go out there looking half-dressed.”

“But I—”

“How many times do we have to say no buts?” Leah interrupts before I can finish.

I let out a sigh and let them continue. A few moments later, my hair is half-up in a beautiful style, and my makeup is perfect—not too much, and not too little. Chloe and Leah got it just right.

“Wow,” I breathe as I look at myself in the mirror. “It looks…”

“Don’t say perfect yet.” Chloe walks over to the door and grabs the gown off of the hook, holding it up so it shines in the light. “You’ve still got your dress to put on.”

Carefully so as not to wreck my hair or makeup, Chloe and Leah help me change out of my dirty chef’s whites and into my gown. It fits like a glove, just like the last time I tried it on. The silk hugs my curves in all the right spots while the delicate beadwork reflects the light in tiny little rainbows.

But I can’t help but feel a bit silly. It’s a far cry from my chef’s attire, and it makes me wonder if people will see me differently when I walk out there. If the chef comes out wearing a fancy white gown, what will they think? That I’m shallow? Superficial? Unprofessional?

“I feel like a fairy princess,” I admit, a hint of self-consciousness in my voice.

Chloe steps back to admire her handiwork. “That’s because you are, Abby. You look stunning.”

Leah nods in agreement. “Don’t feel self-conscious, Abby. You look like you belong.”

With a final touch-up of my lipstick, they declare me ready. As they push me towards the door, I take a deep breath and muster all the confidence I can. It’s time to face the party and the sea of guests waiting beyond.

When I step into the main area, the sight that greets me is overwhelming. The soft glow of fairy lights illuminates the room, and laughter and conversation fill the air. The scent of delicious food hangs in the atmosphere, and I feel a sense of pride surge through me.

However, my moment of triumph is short-lived as everyone turns to look at me. The other Lunas’ eyes bore into me, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and surprise. I can feel their judgment, but I force myself to push past it.

Then, my gaze lands on Karl, and my heart skips a beat.

He’s here, looking handsome in his formal attire, and he’s not alone. He’s still dancing with that stunning woman, her fiery red hair catching the light. They move together with grace, and I can’t deny the pang of jealousy that twists in my chest.

Chloe and Leah, who have been watching my every move, approach me with reassuring smiles. Chloe gives me a little nudge forward. “Go on, Abby. Mingle with the guests. You’ve got this.”

Summoning my courage, I take a step forward and approach a group of guests who are savoring the appetizers. Their faces light up as I introduce myself as the chef behind the delicious dishes. The compliments start pouring in, and it’s a welcome distraction from my nerves.

“You’re Abby? The chef?” one of the guests exclaims. “This food is incredible!”

I beam at the praise. “Thank you so much. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying it.”

As I continue to chat with the guests, I start to relax a bit. It’s clear that my hard work has paid off, and before I know it, I’m hardly thinking about Karl and his new date at all.

Just as I’m engrossed in conversation with a pair of guests, Vanessa, who I haven’t seen all night, approaches me with a warm smile.

Without a word, she pulls me into a tight hug, and I’m momentarily taken aback by her warmth. She’s wearing a bright red dress with pieces of gold flecked throughout her afro. She looks like a goddess.

“Abby, you look absolutely beautiful,” Vanessa says, her eyes filled with pride. “I’m so proud of you. The food tonight has been phenomenal.”

I return her hug, feeling touched by her words. “Thank you, Vanessa. That means a lot to me.”

“Of course,” she says. “Abby, I’m so sorry for what happened at the cook-off. I couldn’t say anything for the sake of professionalism, but… fuck it. You deserved to win. And I’m so glad that Logan and I banded together to advocate for you once we realized what Daniel had done.”

At her words, my eyes widen. “You and… Logan advocated for me?” I stammer, my voice quivering. “Logan, as in… the judge, Logan?”

She chuckles. “I know what you’re thinking,” she says. “Logan can be quite harsh, but he’s that way with people he thinks have great potential. He believes in you, Abby. He’s just not the type to show it openly.”

I’m stunned by this revelation. As Vanessa speaks, my eyes catch Logan’s from across the room. He’s standing in the corner, in the midst of a conversation with someone else. But, as though he senses that I’m looking, he glances in my direction.

Our eyes meet. And then, slowly, he raises his glass.

“Anyway,” Vanessa says, pulling my attention back to her, “I have to mingle. Appearances, you know? But please, enjoy the party. Stay for a while, will you?”

I nod, still too stunned to speak. Vanessa gives me a smile and squeezes my hand, slipping away into the crowd. I feel frozen to the spot. I just can’t believe it; Logan, the judge who I thought hated me the most, the man who said I had no passion… was an advocate for me.

Suddenly, before I can return to my own mingling, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see Karl standing there, looking as dashing as ever in his suit.

“Hey, Abby.”