Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 341

Abby

The bus finally lurches to a stop after what feels like forever, and I take a deep, steadying breath as I peer out the fogged window.

Despite my lingering nausea and the sadness still clouding my mood after last night, awe rises in my chest as I take in the enormous, sprawling mansion that’s waiting for us.

Prince Damon really wasn’t kidding when he said we would be staying at his family’s estate. This place is straight out of a fairytale, with sculpted hedges and marble fountains leading up the front walk.

“Holy crap,” Chloe murmurs. She nudges my elbow as we gather our things. “Look at this place, Abby. We’re gonna be living like royalty.”

I manage a weak smile. “I told you, didn’t I? Damon said that he’d spare no expense.”

Chloe snorts. “Seems like ‘sparing no expense’ is sort of in his nature, isn’t it?”

We file off of the bus, stretching our cramped limbs. Almost instantly, a small fleet of staff in tidy black and white uniforms appears to collect our luggage. Before I can protest, my suitcase is whisked neatly away.

One man steps forward with a polite smile. “Miss Abby?” he says. “I’m Edgar, Prince Damon’s head butler. On his behalf, I’d like to welcome you and your team. Please, come inside. I’ll give you a tour and show you to your quarters.”

The grand foyer alone is decked in more gold, crystal, and marble than I’ve ever seen in my life. As Edgar leads us on through various sprawling sitting rooms and down a maze of halls, I realize my mouth is hanging open. Behind me, I can hear gasps of awe from my team.

“Holy moly, Ethan.” Daisy stops to gape out a towering window overlooking sculpted gardens. “Can you believe this?”

Ethan lets out a low, impressed whistle. “Abby really wasn’t kidding when she said this was a big time gig.”

“Yes,” Edgar says with a polite smile. “Do feel free to explore the estate during your stay; no rooms or gardens are off limits, except for Prince Damon’s private quarters, of course.”

“I see. A man likes his privacy,” John says, his hands in his pockets as he peers out the window behind the others.

Edgar pauses, glancing at John over his shoulder. There’s a moment of silence before he replies, “Yes. A man does like his privacy.”

Finally, Edgar opens two grand oak doors, ushering us into a lavish entertainment lounge lined with plush couches. My eyes widen as I take in the furnishings. There’s a huge flatscreen on one wall surrounded by every gaming console imaginable on glossy wooden shelves, a full bar, and even a foosball table.

Not to mention the massive window overlooking the back gardens.

“Merde,” Anton breathes as we all step into the room. “Can you believe this, Abby? We truly are staying in a palace!”

I can’t help but laugh as a surprisingly giddy sensation takes over me. But then, I find myself turning, opening my mouth to say something to Karl—only to realize that he’s not here.

My heart sinks a bit as I see that the spot where Karl would usually be, leaning in the doorway with his hands in his pockets and his dark hair a little ruffled, is… empty.

Right. We’re not together anymore.

And we won’t be together ever again.

Swallowing, I return my attention to Edgar, who has begun leading us further into the room. The walls on either side of the room are lined with doors.

“Each of you will have your own room if you so choose,” he says, opening each door in succession. “Each room comes equipped with a king-sized bed, an en suite bathroom, and a personal television.”

My eyes widen as I step into the room that will be mine. Already, I can imagine a good night’s sleep on the plush bed. After last night and this morning, it will be welcome.

But then my heart sinks again; there’s the full-length mirror that I imagined would be perfect for a seductive selfie to send to Karl.

A selfie that will never be sent now.

“These will be your private quarters for the duration of your stay,” Edgar explains, drawing my attention back to him. “Anything at all you require is yours with but a call. Now, if you’ll please make yourselves comfortable, Prince Damon has requested a private audience with Miss Abby.”

I blink, surprise jolting through me. Already? I figured I would at least have time to settle in first. But Edgar is waiting expectantly, so I have no choice but to follow him back out and through another maze of halls.

When we get to an ornately carved door, Edgar gives me an encouraging smile. “Go right in, miss. Best of luck with the meeting.”

Before I can overthink it, I slip inside. Compared to everything else I’ve seen so far, Prince Damon’s study is rather understated: just gleaming wood, a massive desk, walls of bookshelves, and a crackling fireplace.

Prince Damon rises with a dazzling smile from behind his desk. He’s an imposing figure in his crisp suit, his dark hair impeccably styled. He’s undeniably handsome, I’ll give him that.

“Abby!” he says, outstretching his arms as he circles around his desk to meet me. “So wonderful you could make it.”

I reach out to shake his hand. “Of course, sir. Thank you again for this opportunity.”

Damon clicks his tongue, gesturing for me to sit in a leather chair across the desk from his.

“Please. Call me Damon.” He settles back into his own seat, tenting his fingers contemplatively. “I must say, I’m really so glad you’re here. I’ve been watching your budding career, you know. It’s an honor to have such a skilled chef in my home.”

“Oh.” I blink rapidly, caught off guard by his kind words. He’s a prince, after all; I expected him to have encountered far more prestigious chefs than myself. “Well, uh… I really appreciate that. My team and I are so excited to be here.”

For the next few minutes, we discuss menus, recipes, dietary restrictions for the various diplomats and royals who will be attending the upcoming gala. It’s all so exciting, and I can’t believe I’ve been offered this opportunity. It almost feels like another fresh start after everything.

But as we talk, I can’t ignore the way Damon’s piercing hunter eyes seem to bore into me, flickering frequently down to my lips. He seems to lean forward on his desk, closing the gap between us as much as possible.

When we finally wrap up the meeting, I stand, feeling almost relieved that I can finally return to my room and relax. But as soon as I turn towards the door, I nearly crash right into Damon’s chest.

He’s barely an inch from me, having come up silently right behind my chair.

My heart leaps as I stumble back a step. “Oh! I… sorry, I didn’t realize you were… uh...”

I trail off. Damon just keeps smiling pleasantly down at me, leaning in slightly. Before I fully realize what’s happening, he reaches up and gently tucks a lock of hair behind my ear, his knuckles grazing my cheek.

“It really is nice getting you all to myself like this,” he murmurs, his voice low. “I hope you'll save some time to… get to know each other better while you’re here.”

My stomach swoops with a surge of nerves and disbelief. Is he hitting on me right now? Does he do this with all his staff?

I force a tense laugh, taking another step back towards the safety of the open door. “R-right. Well, uh… I should really get back and help my team settle in.” I gesture vaguely behind me. “Still feeling pretty worn out from the trip and all.”

Damon’s smile widens. He inclines his head politely. “Yes, of course. Please, rest up.” His eyes seem to flicker down to my lips again. “And I do hope you’ll join me for a private dinner tonight… to discuss the event plans further.”

My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. The way he says it makes my skin prickle uncomfortably. But I can’t exactly say no to the prince who holds my career in his hands right now.

I manage a tense smile. “Sure, of course. I could meet for dinner.”

Damon leans back a bit and levels me with a polite gaze and a nod of his head. The atmosphere seems to relax ever so slightly. “Excellent,” he says. “I’ll send Edgar to come collect you around eight. It’ll be a pleasure to get to know each other a bit more.”

“Yes. It will.” My hand is already hovering on the door knob, and this time, Damon doesn’t stop me when I swing it open.

“See you soon, Abby.”

As I walk down the hall, the moment we shared in Damon’s office keeps nagging at me. His closeness, the way he tucked my hair behind my ear before I could even react…

It’s all a bit much.

But maybe I can handle a bit much right now. After all, my staff and I are catering for a prince.