Chapter 200

In Chapter 199 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma faces an uncomfortable confrontation with Cassian, who presents her with a proposition that she finds both arrogant and dismissive. The tension in the room is palpable as Gemma, despite her unease, firmly rejects his offer. Cassian’s disbelief at her refusal highlights his entitlement, as he is not used to being turned down. Gemma’s inner turmoil is evident as she grapples with her aspirations versus the mundane paths suggested to her, revealing her passion for hacking and her determination to pursue a career aligned with her skills.
As the conversation escalates, Cassian belittles Gemma’s ambitions, mocking her plans to join Dream International. His condescending attitude ignites a fierce response from Gemma, who defends her capabilities and past achievements. Despite her strong retorts, the interaction exposes a deeper emotional wound—Cassian’s inability to see her potential beyond his narrow perspective. The clash between them becomes not just a professional disagreement but a personal standoff, leaving Gemma feeling unseen and exhausted.
Just as Gemma attempts to distance herself from the bitterness of their exchange, a familiar ringtone interrupts the tension, drawing her back to painful memories associated with Cassian’s past relationship with Reyna. The melody evokes a flood of emotions, reminding her of her unacknowledged feelings and the marks Reyna has left on Cassian. Gemma’s internal struggle intensifies as she realizes that the ringtone symbolizes a connection she cannot compete with, deepening her sense of inadequacy and hurt.
The chapter culminates in a moment of revelation when Reyna’s voice comes through the phone, shattering the fragile atmosphere. Gemma’s heart constricts as she listens to Reyna’s plea for help, highlighting the emotional distance between her and Cassian. This moment serves as a poignant reminder of the unresolved feelings and the stark reality of Cassian’s loyalties, leaving Gemma at a crossroads of heartache and determination. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved tension, leaving Gemma to grapple with her feelings of insignificance and the complexity of her relationship with Cassian.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 199**
**CONTENT: Chapter 199**
**Chapter 206**
Gemma’s POV
The atmosphere in the room hangs heavy with an uncomfortable silence, a stark contrast to the audacious offer he just laid before me. Cassian’s proposition, brimming with a casual arrogance, suggests he believes he’s bestowing a favor upon me, as if my dreams are so trivial they could easily fit into the palm of his hand.
I find myself seated across from him, my gaze locked onto his face, illuminated by the soft glow of my laptop. The light casts shadows across his damp torso, painting him in hues of blue and purple. But if he thinks I should feel grateful, he is sorely mistaken.
“No,” I respond, my voice steady and unwavering.
“No?”
His voice barely rises above a whisper, echoing my refusal with a hint of disbelief.
I can sense his surprise without needing to glance away. Cassian Blackwell is not a man accustomed to hearing the word ‘no.’
The thought of becoming a flight attendant, as my grandfather once suggested, or remaining a warehouse worker, as I currently am, fills me with a sense of dread. Those paths do not resonate with my true passions. Hacking is my calling, and no amount of scrutiny from Mikhail will deter me; I am confident in my abilities.
“I’m not interested in your company, and I certainly have no desire for any position you might offer. Since I resigned, I have not once entertained the idea of returning. In fact, I have already accepted an offer elsewhere…”
“Elsewhere!”
“Yes, Dream International. Once I return, I’ll be joining their entertainment subsidiary.”
For a fleeting moment, I catch a glimpse of genuine surprise flickering across his features, but it quickly morphs into a light, mocking laugh.
“Dream International? Are you applying as a receptionist or an office assistant? Let me at least negotiate a decent salary on your behalf, or you’ll find yourself fetching coffee in exchange for pennies—”
A familiar sting of hurt and dismissal ignites within me. I knew it. In his eyes, I will always be seen as insignificant. He truly believes that’s the pinnacle of my potential?!
“Mr. Blackwell, you are sorely mistaken. Even if I am deemed useless, I possess a multitude of skills. At the very least, I could be an artist in their entertainment division. Even a vase can find its place in the spotlight.”
I hurl his own veiled insult back at him, my words sharp and deliberate.
His expression shifts to one of genuine astonishment. “An artist? Don’t tell me you think you’re cut out for that?”
The retort simmers on my tongue, hot and biting.
“Haven’t you noticed? Half the industry is filled with individuals whose only qualification is looking good under the lights.”
His eyes narrow, skepticism etched across his features.
“So that’s your plan? To be a vase?” His gaze sharpens, as if he’s trying to decipher whether I’m bluffing. “Do you really believe that qualifies you to survive in a corporation like Dream International? Beauty does not equate to ability.”
“Clearly, Dream International thinks otherwise! While looks may not hold much weight for you, don’t pretend they don’t open doors. And for the record, arrogance does not equate to truth either.”
He scoffs, a dismissive sound that grates on my nerves. “Really? And did they accept that argument? Based on what qualifications, exactly?”
“Based on the fact that I was scouted by talent agents throughout college,” I retort, lifting my chin defiantly.
“Based on the fact that I was the campus belle for three consecutive years. Or did you forget?”
“This is a multinational corporation, Gemma, not a college talent show. What was your major again? Nothing even remotely related to finance or entertainment management. This is a fantasy.”
I exhale a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of futility settle over me.
The conversation has reached a dead end; there’s no point in continuing. At least now I understand that he will never truly see me.
He only perceives the reflection of his own desires. We are caught in a standoff, neither of us willing to acknowledge the personal nature of this conflict. A wave of fatigue washes over me, and suddenly, I yearn to escape this room.
I push my chair back and rise, moving toward the wardrobe to retrieve my pajamas. I need a shower to cleanse myself of the bitterness his contempt has left on my skin.
My fingers barely graze the soft cotton when an unexpected sound slices through the stillness of the room.
A ringtone, but not just any ringtone.
It’s the familiar opening notes of the piano piece, ‘Love Story.’
My hand freezes on the doorknob, and my heart constricts painfully, as if the melody has unearthed hidden wounds I thought were buried.
I glance back, and there it is—Cassian’s phone, resting on the bedside table, vibrating insistently with the tune. He remains motionless for a moment, and in that fleeting instant, memories flood back.
I recall a time, long ago, when I asked him to change that very ringtone. I remember how he laughed dismissively.
“Why should I? It’s just a ringtone,” he had said, treating my request as if it were a childish whim.
But it was never just a ringtone. Reyna had set it herself once, and he had never bothered to change it back.
I had asked him to switch it, not because I despised the song, but because I loathed what it represented. It was a reminder that she had left a mark on him that I could never erase. How could I explain to him that hearing something so intimate, so personal, reserved for another woman, stung like a fresh wound?
To him, my request was nothing more than a petty complaint.
He had laughed even harder when I suggested replacing it with something else. “What do you know about music, Gemma? Don’t make trouble over trivial things.”
As if my two years of practice in college, the countless hours spent on stiff keyboards in borrowed rooms, were all inconsequential. He never even knew I could play… he never cared to find out.
Now, every note grates against my ears. The sweet, romantic melody he associates only with her feels like a taunt, a public declaration of where his true affections lie.
I stand rooted to the spot, paralyzed by the sound, waiting for him to answer, a tightness coiling in my chest and a bitter taste rising in my throat.
The ringtone ceases, only to resume, its insistent chime tugging at the bitterness buried deep within me.
Finally, Cassian answers.
And Reyna’s voice spills into the room like a sudden storm. “Cassian? Thank God you picked up. I—I missed my flight. I’m still at the airport. Can you come and get me?”
In this moment, the weight of Cassian’s indifference crushes Gemma, revealing the chasm that has grown between them. The ringtone, a haunting reminder of Reyna’s presence, serves as a catalyst for her realization: no matter how fiercely she fights for recognition, she remains trapped in the shadows of his past. The laughter that once echoed in their shared moments now feels like a distant memory, replaced by the sharp sting of betrayal and inadequacy. Gemma’s heart aches not only for the love she yearns to receive but also for the dreams that seem to slip further from her grasp with each dismissive word he utters. As she stands frozen, the realization dawns upon her that this confrontation is not merely about career aspirations but rather a deeper struggle for validation and self-worth.
Yet, within the turmoil, a flicker of resolve ignites within Gemma. She understands that her identity cannot be defined by Cassian’s perception or the echoes of Reyna’s influence. The bitterness that once threatened to consume her now transforms into a source of strength. She recognizes her own worth, not as a mere reflection of Cassian’s desires, but as a vibrant individual with aspirations that deserve to be realized. As Reyna’s voice fills the room, Gemma takes a deep breath, preparing to step away from the confines of this toxic dynamic. The rain may have yet to touch the earth, but the warmth of her memories—of who she is and who she wants to become—begins to rise within her, promising a new beginning that lies just beyond the horizon.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
As the echoes of Reyna’s voice linger in the air, Gemma finds herself on the precipice of a tumultuous emotional storm. The unexpected reappearance of Cassian’s past love threatens to unravel the fragile threads of her newfound confidence and aspirations. Will she confront the ghosts of their shared history, or will the weight of Reyna’s presence compel her to retreat further into her shell? The tension in the room is palpable, and readers are left wondering how Gemma will navigate this precarious situation, especially now that her ambitions are at stake.
In the next chapter, expect a whirlwind of revelations and confrontations that will test Gemma’s resolve. With Cassian’s attention diverted back to Reyna, will Gemma seize the opportunity to assert her independence, or will she find herself grappling with insecurities that threaten to derail her plans? As emotions run high and buried feelings resurface, the stakes will rise, leading to pivotal decisions that could alter the course of their intertwined lives. Prepare for a dramatic clash of past and present, where every word spoken may either forge a new path or shatter the fragile hope Gemma has been clinging to.
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