18 Floors Above the Apocalypse novel Chapter 86

Listening to his description, Stella figured the situation didn't seem too dire, and asked casually, “Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet, Rosie's on it.”

Rosie cooking breakfast? She couldn’t even reach the stove.

“She has to learn eventually.”

True, in a post-apocalyptic world, kids needed to be pragmatic to survive.

Suddenly, a scream of pain came from Rosie over the walkie-talkie. “What happened?” Stella asked. She hoped it wasn’t like when Jasper got burned by hot oil.

The walkie-talkie went silent.

Feeling guilty as Rosie was only learning to cook because of her, Stella left her room and headed for apartment 1801. “Rosie?”

After knocking several times, the door finally opened. Rosie was fine. She had volunteered to take care of her injured brother and started by learning how to cook breakfast.

She couldn't reach the pot, so she stood on a stool. She accidentally fell off but thanks to her quick reflexes, she managed to adjust her landing and didn't injure herself.

However, her spirits were low as she sat there. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Sis, am I useless? I can't even make breakfast.” It looked like she was about to burst into tears.

“No.” Stella consoled her, patting her head. “You're only five and you're already learning to cook breakfast, you're doing great. Jasper just started learning recently too.”

Jasper, who was mentioned, was at a loss for words. Finally, he joined in comforting her. “That's right. Rosie, you’re way better than me.”

Feeling guilty for the lack of breakfast, Stella asked, “What do you want to eat, Rosie? I'll teach you how to make it.”

“Pie.” Rosie finally smiled. “My brother wants some pie.”

And so, Rosie climbed back onto the stool, with Stella carefully instructing her at the side. Cooper got up and leaned against the stove. He wanted to learn too!

If it weren't for the apocalypse, Stella would have sent Cooper off to dog college. He might’ve even come back with a degree.

Rosie was surprisingly good at it, from boiling water to washing dishes and wiping the table.

Stella, however, wasn't pleased. She looked worried. Jasper was wealthy, so wthere was no way Rosie learned these chores out of necessity. She must have been forced by her ruthless uncle.

Thinking of Jasper's tough, no-nonsense character, Stella couldn't help but wonder, what happened to his uncle's family in the end? Of course, that was Jasper’s personal matter, and Stella wouldn't pry.

As the two of them and Cooper stayed in the kitchen, Jasper stood by the kitchen door. Even Jasper himself might not have noticed the slight smile on his face.

Admittedly, Rosie was a much better cook than Jasper. Feeling proud, she carefully sent a slice to Jasper. “Jasper, try the pie I made.”

She also served Stella and Cooper.

“I've eaten. I’ll pass.”

Cooper, the greedy dog, ran home and fetched Stella's washbasin from the bathroom, sort of demanding Rosie to “Fill it up!”

Feeling embarrassed like she had neglected Cooper, Stella tugged his ear. “These are filled with chives. You can't eat them. You'll get sick.”

Cooper froze, feeling devastated. Not wanting to die yet feeling unsatisfied, Cooper grabbed the washbasin and left.

Jasper sat at the dining table, first complimenting Rosie before looking up at Stella. “You sure you don't want any?”

Stella declined, “I've eaten.”

Even if she hadn't eaten, she wouldn't easily accept food from others. In a post-apocalyptic world, taking someone else's food was equivalent to taking their life, even if Jasper was wealthy.