Novels2Search
The Power of the Powerless Gambler
Chapter 13: The Tree House

Chapter 13: The Tree House

Zack stared at the wall-mounted clock, his surprise deepening as the significance of the time registered. He had slept until noon—something he couldn’t recall ever doing. For a moment, he just sat there, sinking into the seat as the thought settled in. Then, the sweet smell of food wafted through the air, making his stomach grumble and pulling him into the kitchen.

"Look, who's there? Conk out, man."

Victor taunted, pulling one corner of his mouth into a crooked half-smile. The rare sight of Zack waking up at noon was too good for him to resist poking fun at.

Victor's tattoos rippled beneath the light white fabric of his shirt as he lifted the salad bowl with one hand. The designs on his arms became even more visible as he moved, the ink contrasting against his strong muscles. With deliberate care, he leaned over the table and placed the salad in front of Yuna, his movements smooth and controlled.

"Where's mine?"

Zack’s eyes narrowed in mild irritation when Victor didn’t serve him any salad. He looked over at Yuna, expecting her to side with him, but instead, she clasped her hands together to pray, completely ignoring his protest.

"Let's pray first, love."

Yuna noticed his frown turned into a sarcastic smirk when he heard the word "pray." Despite doing it every meal, they couldn't tolerate the word "pray."

“Don’t you know that a family who prays together stays together?”

She clasped her hands together once more and continued her prayer.

"May all be fed. May all be healed. May all be loved. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, AMEN."

“What is the Holy Spirit? What’s the point of praying if God is sovereign and everything happens according to His will?” Victor inquired, his tone tinged with ridicule.

Yuna could sense that his question wasn’t just complicated but carried a deeper, condemned edge.

"If Mr. Zack Avere could build an application for just hours, then I supposed, takes learners a year or years to differ from one another."

She could answer their question, but he would only understand if his belief altered. Yuna knew it.

"Where's my salad?"

Zack's eyes were drawn to a well-prepared green salad with bits of meat and a delectable dressing.

Victor's raven eyes narrowed as Yuna slid the salad he had prepared for her over to Zack.

"That is yours." I would never spend my time or energy on him.

He vigorously whined.

“Next time, Victor. I don’t have an appetite for vegetables today,” Yuna said, her tone gentle and persuasive as she tried to ease Victor’s disappointment.

“It requires a lot of work and time and this is my first time making a salad.” His tone carries a subtle note of pride. It was clear he sought Yuna’s praise for his effort, making it evident that he had no intention of letting Zack have it.

Victor's countenance changed to exaggerated sorrow, with his eyes enlarging slightly and his lower lip sticking out in a desolate pout. The corners of his mouth drooped, expressing a genuine despair that was almost dramatic.

Yuna’s mouth dropped at Victor’s pitiful expression, unable to hide her shock at how convincingly he could evoke such sympathy.

"You took that from my garden, though."

Zack said, placing a bite of the greens into his mouth. He chewed slowly, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

"You're as shameless as the pest that ravages the plants after someone has worked hard to grow them."

"Cry hard, princess. I ain't going to spit what I can chew."

Yuna frowned, watching the two act like toddlers. Their stature and power contrasted sharply with their attitude at home.

'I wonder whether they are an ally or foe. Their thoughts were well-synchronized if it was about work, yet they incessantly contradicted one another in other aspects.'

“How did you manage to build those big nests?” Victor inquired, his curiosity apparent as he chewed.

Her gaze moved from Zack to Victor. They appear sophisticated and expensive, even if one eats a horse while the other talks with his mouth full.

"Are you referring to the treehouse? After I had planted all of the garden's plants, I started building it out of lightweight yet durable materials."

“Did you build the nest all by yourself?” Zack and Victor asked in unison.

'It doesn't look like a nest at all!'

In her mind, she opposed it.

"Don't worry. I highly respected your instruction that nobody's allowed to enter the gate." She assured.

'How can they ask the obvious?'

Since Yuna moved in with them, not a single guard has entered through the gate. They have a highly advanced, multifunctional robot, which helps with the chores and plays a crucial role helped Yuna with the treehouse construction.

"How did you manage to build it alone?"

"You saw it?"

Victor was doubtful. He never had time to run in the backyard since he was always so busy.

"Moron. I have two clear eyes."

Zack replied sarcastically.

My father could even build a house on his own without all the complete materials, she thought to herself.

"Many thanks to your amazing black card and intelligent robots." I purchased the necessary high-quality materials. "It is not yet finished. Can you assist me? A bed is among the items I need to bring. It's difficult for me to do it by myself."

Yuna responded and requested Zack.

“Zack’s eyes glued to the computer,” Victor remarked with a hint of amusement. “I’ll help you.”

"Don't believe in God if you believe this sissy can help you. He'll watch you like you're in a live theater."

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

'Here they are again. While these two are the birds with the same feathers.'

"You both can help me, though."

...

Yuna’s figure was striking even in her work attire, which consisted of a practical shirt and pants with multifunctional pockets. The outfit, designed to be functional with essential tools strapped to her tool belt, did little to diminish her remarkable physique. As she carried the hammer, square measure, and screwdrivers, her confident presence and well-defined silhouette stood out, blending capability and charm.

While walking, her eyes focused on putting rubber gloves on her hands when she heard people arguing. Then she glanced up and saw two huge people who had no idea what they were doing.

"I told you that is not how it worked. "Will you return to what you are good at?"

"Say by someone who doesn't know how to hold a hammer!"

Yuna blinked, trying to clear her vision and confirm that the object Zack was holding was a brick of wood.

"Do you still remember the weapon I used to dominate a group of gangsters in Japan? You had those awful useless revolvers, but I battled them with a hammer!"

"Hammer is a tool used to drive nails, freak. Not to slaughter people."

'Good God! It can't be! Please save the floor from those idiots.'

Yuna pleaded and wept in her head. As she ascended the ladder to the treehouse, she almost leaped up.

"You guys heard about the glass floor, don't you?"

"You guys heard about the glass floor, didn't you?" Her voice was tight with restrained anger as she confronted the two who had foolishly tried to cover the glass floor with wood. Fortunately, her swift actions prevented them from completing the absurd job.

She jumped onto the glass floor, startling Zack and Victor. “I simply wanted help with the furnishings, to be exact,” Yuna said, her voice steady despite her frustration. To further demonstrate, she leaped again onto the glass, emphasizing its sturdiness. “The strength and stability of this glass flooring are three times greater than timber flooring,” she explained, her tone a mix of irritation and reassurance.

They turned their heads away and blushed, ashamed of their stupidity.

Yuna moved the wood they had planned to lay on top of the glass and spread the Savona rug. The style and color were a perfect blend of the surroundings.

"I chose these materials over wood for three reasons," Yuna began. "First, durability. Second, these glass panels are lightweight and simple to assemble. Third, you can see it when you stay at night." She continued, her tone softening slightly. "But since I assume you're busy, you can leave after helping with the furniture."

Yuna guessed that Zack and Victor would leave promptly after assisting with lifting the heavy items that needed to be placed in the treehouse.

...

The nature-inspired glass treehouse blended with its surroundings, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. The transparent walls, made of high-strength glass, provided clear views of the lush canopy between the treetops. The design emphasized natural light and openness, with clean lines and minimalist furnishings that enhanced the beauty of the forest.

"It's time!" Yuna exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. The culmination of her hard work and creativity had finally come to fruition. As she looked at the wall clock she just installed, her heart raced with exhilaration. It's a quarter-seven in time.

Her quick ascents and descents cause Victor and Zack to nod out.

She was watering the plants while keeping track of the time.

Tick-tock.

The steady rhythm of the clock filled the space as she climbed back up, each tick marking the approach of the moment.

Tick-tock.

With only two minutes left until 7, the anticipation grew. "This is it!" She was so excited as the moments ticked away.

She stroked her arms as she flung open every window to let the fantastic night breeze in.

Yuna folded up the Savona rug she had laid out and then slumped against the glass floor in the corner, her back resting on its cold surface as she stared at the sky. "Wow!" she breathed out, overwhelmed by the incredible sensation of the moment. The experience was beyond words, leaving her in awe of the serene beauty and accomplishment surrounding her.

Yuna's thoughts drifted back to her childhood. 'When I was young, resting on the farm's grass and admiring the towering tree, creating a scenario like this was my fantasy. If the twins had seen it, they would have been overjoyed.' The memory brought a warm smile to her face, adding a layer of nostalgia to her current joy.

"Beautiful."

Her radiant smile glowed, making her look even more stunning under the moonlight.

Victor and Zack followed her gaze as she looked up. The supermoon hung majestically in the sky, its luminous glow bathing the glass treehouse in an ethereal light, casting a silvery sheen across the delicate glass walls.

Victor and Zack rolled onto their sides, pressing their faces against the glass floor to peer through it.

“Awesome,” Victor said, his eyes wide with wonder. “There are five moons with different colors!”

"The landscape was rendered livelier by the whirling fireballs. They are countless that resemble breathing stars and improved the visibility of the ground."

Zack added.

Victor and Zack were mesmerized by the breathtaking scene beneath the treehouse, their eyes wide with wonder. Meanwhile, Yuna's jaw, which had fallen open in awe at the stunning view above, tightened as if she were chewing on something unpleasant.

She wanted to taste the appetizer longer before the main course. But they spoiled it!

"Brilliant. It looks so realistic," Zack commented, his eyes reflecting the awe he felt at the captivating scene below.

He thought that Yuna was using advanced technology to make the luminaries move in such an enchanting way.

The backyard had once been an expanse of green grass, resembling a small forest. Yuna transformed it into a vibrant botanical and vegetable garden. Her selection of botanical plants included a variety of herbs known for their beautiful blooms, such as lavender, bee balm, and dill, among others. These plants added a rich tapestry of colors and fragrances to her garden.

Yuna's frustration bubbled up as she thought, Why are they still here?

"Have you guys heard about fireflies? Well, it's them." She couldn't believe they were unaware of these lightning bugs.

"I see."

Zack responded, trying not to seem excessively thrilled. Despite hearing about it, he had never seen one.

As the cloud passed over the moon, the moon's form, which was reflected in the five-circle fountain, altered. And as the cloud entirely passed by, it completely changed color.

The wind's gentle caress carried the heady fragrance of blooming flowers, sending a symphony of fireflies swirling in a mesmerizing dance. The leaves, kissed by the breeze, rustled and swayed in rhythm, creating a natural elegance and enchantment.

"Whoa? Spectacular."

Yuna tilted her head with a warm smile, wanting to watch their faces to gauge their reactions and see if they were as captivated by the scene as she was.

Yuna was more astounded by what she had seen in their expression. Victor and Zack, at last, cracked a genuine smile. They appeared like a young child who had just discovered the world's beauty.

Sometimes, in her view, their reactions revealed an ignorance greater than that of her two special sisters.

"How does it feel; "to be under the moonlight and above the five moons?" Yuna's long, curled lashes framed her lovely almond-shaped eyes, which sparkled with curiosity as she smiled and asked.

"Well. At least, even though the moon is gray, I now know we can create a fountain that can reflect a moon in multiple hues."

Zack’s gaze lingered on Yuna, his deep-set eyes softening with a rare, earnest warmth. After a moment, he turned his focus back to the sky.

“It’s incredible. How did you do it?” Victor's eyes widened with genuine wonder, eager to understand the magic behind the scene.

"The fountain had a basin constructed of highly reflective materials, such as polished glass, that reflected the moonlight. It utilized color-changing filters, LED lights, and fiber optics to create dynamic hues and reflections. Surrounded by lush grasses and herbs, the fountain attracted fireflies, adding to its magical effect."

Yuna paused to admire their expressions, noting how their current look made them even more stunning.

"For the treehouse construction, I am telling you, if I am not this man's wife, I could be a carpenter."

Yuna replied earnestly and laughed at the last line.

"But you are a girl."

Zack joined the conversation.

"What's wrong with that? The only thing you have that I don't is the thing between your thighs."

Victor chuckled loudly, raising his head and resting his palm on his chin as he looked at her.

"What else are you good at?"

She chuckled wryly, her eyes sparkling with silliness. "Pissing people off," she said with a playful tone.

Zack furrowed his brow as her gaze shifted pointedly in his direction.

"Hahaha. I couldn't agree more."

"Are you taking me as a joke?"

Zack groaned.

Yuna replied with a playful smile, "Of course not! My husband is the best. He's dependable, capable, thoughtful, trustworthy, loving, and the most handsome man in the world."

She stood up from the floor, paused midway, and said, "Oh, by the way, lying is my art."