18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 91

Now that Stella knew what they were thinking, and she couldn't be oblivious to Jasper's action. She was not slow. It was something about Jasper that made her confused. Was he interested in her or was she simply overthinking?

But how could she possibly refuse him without solid evidence of his feelings? And what if she was misreading the signs? Living next door to him and having to work together made the situation even more awkward. Her friends, too, seemed to be at a loss.

"Love can't be hidden," said Lukas, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe we could help you figure it out?"

"No need," Stella replied, slightly irritated. "I can handle it."

Back at her room, she flopped onto her bed. She touched her face, acknowledging her own attractiveness but questioning whether it was enough to capture the attention of someone like Jasper. In her mind, they belonged to separate worlds, and the only thing that brought them together was the ongoing crisis.

Before she could sort out her feelings, Stella received a call. "Stella, are you up for some practice today?" It was Jasper.

"Yes," she decided, eager to get a better read on him.

As they practiced, Stella kept a close eye on Jasper, even feigning a stumble to see his reaction.

True to form, Jasper was quick to help her up, showing no signs of inappropriate behavior or hidden intentions.

She stayed a bit longer, helping Rosie make dinner, but Jasper seemed to be focused on training her dog.

Feeling frustrated, Stella decided that Lukas' advice was misguided. There was nothing to suggest that Jasper had romantic feelings for her.

Stella served dinner onto plates, relieved. But as she turned around, she found Jasper watching her. Startled, she almost dropped the plate. "Why are you staring at me?" But after she said that, she immediately felt her outburst was a little too much. "Looks like the snow is getting worse," Jasper noted, effectively changing the subject.

Stella turned and looked outside. Well, Jasper was right. He's got really got eyesight!

invitation, Stella returned home with her dog. Her mind was a whirl of confusion

asleep. Her dreams were filled with scenarios of Jasper confessing his

There seemed to be something, but she couldn't

indecisiveness, Stella finally decided to ask Jasper. "Do you like me?" she asked, with her heart pounding in her chest. Jasper didn't

marriage," she blurted out. "I've always been happy living

position. "I'm sorry if I've disturbed you. I won't pressure you into anything, so don't worry." Relieved by his response, Stella felt a weight lifting off her chest. "You're a great guy. You'll find someone who truly loves you."

still be a team?" she asked, eager to maintain their

if you're okay

best partner I could

but there was also a pang of regret. If the ongoing crisis didn't exist, she

he hadn't considered confessing his feelings to Stella. After all, he was still taking care of his sister,

over, calling out,

deep eyes full of warmth as he gently patted her head, "Have you

I don't understand. Can I go

part don't you understand? I

...

up on lost sleep. When she woke up, she

stepped out of her room, she saw Jasper emerging from his at the same time. They exchanged awkward greetings before realizing that a group of violent intruders was attempting to break

on his face, Jasper murmured, "This doesn't

a day would come, returned to her room

time from the imminent disaster, researchers ate and slept in their workplaces, returning home only once every half a month, so Joey and Mikey

A few days ago they had started collecting the

than a dozen people had come. Aside from the bodies stacked up on the icy surfaces, they also entered every building to clean up and transported the dead to a central