18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 255

Austin couldn't help but chuckle at their timid behavior, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Just take it."

He wasn't keen on doing so, but they all had families to take care of. He couldn't let his pride lead their families to hunger.

When Monkey came to receive his ration, Stella smiled and asked, "Did you get a house?"

"I did," Monkey grinned, "I couldn't have done it without you."

Their points were sufficient, but they were short on food. Austin had covered it for them.

Monkey was pleased, "Miss, our house is right across the police station. Once it's all fixed up, you should come and visit."

They never thought they could afford such a hot spot. It was Austin who had used his connections to get the deal done.

Stella almost choked, "You folks who engage in speculative buying and selling chose to live right across a police station? You've got balls. Aren't you afraid they'll raid your place?"

Monkey boasted, "You're missing the point. The most dangerous place is often the safest."

Fate indeed. Stella never expected that she, along with Jasper, Monkey, his buddies, and the residents from the Eastwood Eden would end up owning the entire building.

At least they knew each other very well, lessening the chances of major chaos.

The major work was temporarily done and Monkey and his group shifted their focus on renovating Austin's villa.

To Stella's amusement, they copied everything down to the last dot. Not just the structure but even the brand of cement Austin used was the same as that of Stella's.

Stella had a lot of finishing touches to do and had already paid their wages in food, so she didn't need to go and help.

The outer walls of the house were thick. Jasper decided to install two doors, an electrically charged stainless steel door on the outside and a heavy wooden door inside. It was like the ancient city gates, not even a battering ram could break it down.

However, they didn't have the right materials. Stella quickly came up with a solution, "Let's install the steel door first and later we can have Patrick custom-make the wooden one."

They planted vegetables and raised rabbits in the backyard. In the front yard, they built two flower beds where they planned to plant honeysuckles.

Jasper smoothed and compacted the ground while Stella laid out the pebbles they had gathered from the river.

They installed a solar generator on the roof and wired the entire house.

There was refrigerator, washing machine, air conditioner, heater, induction cooktop and gas stove. Always enjoy what you have while you can, since calamities can strike anytime.

Stella had stockpiled many appliancesin Arcadia. She had brought out almost everything that could improve their lives. They were all placed on the second floor. The living room on the first floor was kept relatively simple.

Jasper installed a door at the stair entrance. It could be left open but when guests or rowdy children were around, it was best to keep it closed.

The reasons were easy to find: in the post-apocalyptic world, it wasn't safe. Having an extra layer of protection by installing the door added an additional safeguard in case someone unauthorized tried to enter.

The second floor was more luxurious with a sofa, a tea table and, to top it off, a six-figure massage chair.

In the corner, there was a high-end three-door refrigerator filled with various fruits and snacks. So, whenever Rosie and Cooper were hungry, they could just grab something. Rosie, who was eight, still had a lot to learn about cooking.

It took a few days to clean the entire place.

Rosie's room was right next to the study and Stella and Jasper's master bedroom was next to that. The windows were double layered with thick, anti-peeping glass and the doors were just as heavy.

They even tested the soundproofing, which was pretty good. NôvelDrama.Org owns all content.

However, Cooper wasn't satisfied. He gave up his own room, dragged his bean bag to the second floor and claimed the living room as his territory.

What a sensitive and clingy dog.

Stella brought out 30 fertilized eggs from Arcadia, 10 each of chicken, duck, and goose, and placed them all in an incubator.

Three years had passed since the disaster, and the 3000 chicken eggs they had stored were almost gone, as was the poultry meat. It was time to replenish their stock.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they could live in the villa for six to seven years. As long as they raised their poultry well, they could easily store meat enough for several years.

Jasper was supportive, "You can get some bamboo or wood out tomorrow, and I'll build a coop for the chickens and ducks."

Stella teased him, "Are you sure you can do it?"

"Is there anything I can't learn?"

Three years of grinding had turned Jasper from a kitchen disaster and planting failure to a home chore expert. Now, he was a wall mason. What else could possibly stump him?

Stella decided to deflate his ego a bit, "Jasper, I suggest you not be too cocky."

Jasper leaned in and pecked her lips, "I've got more confidence in other areas. Care to try?"

Stella suddenly realized where this was going. Before she knew it, the door was locked, the curtains were drawn, and she was trapped.

Stella grumbled, "You weren't like this before."

"Really?" Jasper opened a drawer to retrieve something, "Maybe you didn't know me well enough."

Indeed, this man was deceptively clever. At first, he appeared to be an upright, serious man. But in reality? He was a cunning fox in sheep's clothing.

After their fun, they woke up late. By the time they were done washing up, Rosie had already cooked a soup with meatballs, garnished with green onions. The aroma was heavenly.

Listening to the radio while having breakfast was now a routine.

New job openings were announced: official store managers, food factory workers, lime factory workers, plantation workers, security patrol officers, and more. Government positions were also available, inviting capable individuals for interviews.

Newtown was gradually improving and operating smoothly.

Stella wasn't interested. She had no intention of working and was determined to continue her laid- back lifestyle.

Just as they finished breakfast, they heard a car honk outside.

Austin, along with his son, appeared, "Stella, my house is under construction and not safe. I'm afraid my son might get hurt. Can I leave him here for a while?"

Survivors were constantly migrating to Newtown, making the old city area increasingly unsafe. Austin was busy with the renovation work and wasn't comfortable leaving his son at home.

Dylan, Austin's precious son, was around eight or nine years old. He was dressed in a smart little suit and carried a big backpack. Unlike his talkative father, Dylan was gentle and shy.

In the future, they would be neighbors. Besides, since the little was already here, Stella found it difficult to refuse. "Okay, he can stay and play with Rosie. But remember to pick him up on time."

"Alright, thanks for doing this."

Austin didn't go in. Standing at the entrance, he encouraged his son. "Play with Rosie, buddy. I will be right next door. I'll come get you later."

Dylan felt a bit uneasy, but he still nodded in agreement.

Stella guided Dylan inside, "Rosie, we have a new friend here."

Rosie, who had been upstairs sharing a peanut butter sandwich with Cooper, quickly wiped her mouth, stashed the food away, and even rinsed her mouth before descending.

A new human? The dog narrowed his eyes as he watched from the stairs. He quickly used his paw to shut the door to the staircase, not allowing the newcomer to ascend.