18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 179

Having tidied the room, the two, accompanied by their dog, sat down to lunch in their humble abode in Arcadia. Rosie, however, was still fast asleep in the room. Knowing that time in Arcadia was precious, Jasper didn't rest. Instead, he helped Stella harvest the green beans in The Garden.

The beans were not yet mature, still in the green bean phase. The leaves and beans bore a vibrant green hue.

Given the long days ahead, Stella decided to turn them all into pickled beans. She figured it would be a good pastime to munch on them alongside some jerky. Cooper, the dog, was not one to be outdone. He bit into the bean sprouts and pulled them out at a remarkable speed, albeit with a lack of precision.

He was really competitive!

Harvesting the beans, washing them, adding pickling spices, and cooking them was their routine.

After teaching Jasper the process, Stella returned to her room for a nap. Waking around five, she was about to roll over when she felt a hand resting on her waist. Jasper was spooning her, fast asleep. Had she been that sound asleep? She hadn't even heard him enter the room. Was she too relaxed, or was he just that stealthy? Stella nudged him, "Quit pretending, I know you're awake."

Jasper opened his eyes, only to pull her closer. With their bodies close and eyes locked, she could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin. Stella felt her mind go blank, her gaze involuntarily shifted away. Suddenly, Jasper leaned in for a kiss. Stella froze for a moment, feeling her body betray her. She didn't push him away. And so, they found comfort in each other's presence.

He didn't push things further. He held her for a long while before his breathing steadied, "Stella, do you think the marriage office is still open?"

Stella considered, "Probably not."

"Once this disaster is over, we'll go and get our marriage certificate."

Stella threw a pillow at him, "I never said anything about marrying you."

Jasper gazed at her, "But I want to take care of you. Aren't you going to give me a chance?"

"Bark, bark, bark!"

Outside, Cooper was causing a commotion, calling for his trainer to start their practice. Jasper felt exasperated as his confession was interrupted.

laughing so hard

Cooper, starting their workout with a warm-up run, followed by twists, jumps, and crawls. In the end, Cooper collapsed on the grass, panting

around seven, Jasper initiated, "Stella, shall

that. Time was precious, and she didn't want to waste it. At this time, it was already dark outside, which meant they were less likely to be

strapped back into her safety harness. Stella caressed her cheek, "Sorry,

they quickly

have rolled all the way down from the hilltop. The good news was that the tsunami had receded. However, the roar of the waves could still be heard in the distance.

out her night-vision binoculars, but the tsunami had destroyed everything. The sea was pitch

field of vision. Presumably, the sea hadn't receded to a safe

into Arcadia, Stella was about to return to the villa with her flashlight when Cooper suddenly tensed up, growling softly. Jasper furrowed his brows, "Someone's in the

it was likely that some had survived. As for what kind of people they were, that was another story. Jasper wanted to investigate. He handed Rosie over to Cooper, "Stay here with Rosie, and wait for

took on the task, staying close

of firelight. Having lived there for a month, Stella knew her way around. She saw that the villa's front door was wide open. On the ground was a fire pit for light, and

were the

man on the ground was dressed in a camouflage uniform, appearing to be a soldier. Stella took a closer look and found him vaguely familiar. It

at

soldier

of a tourniquet. His face was pale, indicating significant blood loss. Being injured to this extent in

meant. Simultaneously, she noticed something off about Jasper. She gently held his hand, sensing his icy stiffness and the barely concealed murderous intent.

"I'll go first."

voice sounded. A man pulled out a rusty knife from

and stuttered, "But, that man saved...

of

into the crowd without uttering another word. The others remained silent

The fire pit flickered,

with her assault rifle,