Chapter 186

In Chapter 185 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma finds herself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions as she exits a cab and enters a hotel. Her hands tremble with anger and adrenaline from a recent chaotic encounter that she had with Mikhail, a wealthy individual who orchestrated a staged gunfire incident to scare her. Gemma’s disappointment in Mikhail, whom she had hoped would display some decency, intensifies her frustration as she grapples with the realization that her life was put at risk for a cruel joke.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, Gemma is met by her friends Zina and Jace, who express their concern over her abrupt departure. As she recounts her experience, Zina’s shock deepens when she learns that the gunfire was staged and that Mikhail was behind it. The revelation leaves Jace agitated, questioning Gemma’s decision to continue working for someone like Mikhail. Despite her anger and the tumultuous events, Zina encourages Gemma to put the incident behind her and enjoy their vacation, suggesting they go on a snorkeling tour instead.
As Gemma prepares for the tour, she tries to inform Cassian about her plans, but he repeatedly hangs up on her calls. Frustrated, she sends him a text, asserting her independence and deciding not to wait for him. Meanwhile, Reyna, who is with Cassian, is irritated by Gemma’s persistence and dismisses her text without a second thought. As Cassian reveals his plans to spend the rest of the trip with Gemma, Reyna’s jealousy simmers beneath her calm exterior, and she contemplates how to insert herself into their dynamic.
The chapter captures a range of emotions, from Gemma’s fury and frustration to Reyna’s jealousy and scheming. Gemma is determined to reclaim her agency and enjoy her vacation, while Reyna is plotting to disrupt the connection between Gemma and Cassian. As the story unfolds, the tension between these characters hints at deeper conflicts and unresolved feelings that may come to a head as their vacation progresses.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 185**
**Gemma’s POV**
My hands tremble uncontrollably as I step out of the cab and stride through the hotel’s revolving doors, a storm of anger brewing inside me. At this moment, I feel as if I could unleash my fury on anyone who crossed my path. The remnants of adrenaline pulse through my veins, a harsh reminder of the chaos I just escaped.
I had hoped for a shred of decency from Mikhail—if not as Smith’s son, then at least as a former soldier. But no! He turned out to be just another spoiled rich kid, indulging in reckless games that put lives at risk.
What infuriates me the most is that I genuinely believed my life was in jeopardy. I found myself mentally calculating how to ensure my mother would be taken care of if I didn’t make it back. And for what? For a pathetic joke?
A twisted performance orchestrated by that arrogant bastard to “scare away” the housekeeper his father had forced upon him.
I bite down on my lip, the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth, a distraction from the seething rage within.
Zina is the first to notice me, springing up from the couch in the lobby as if I were a long-lost friend. Jace follows closely behind, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a palpable tension.
“There you are, Gemma! What happened to you two? You left so abruptly! We were worried sick! Jace was just trying to convince me you’d come back here instead of sticking around at the restaurant, but you could have at least called!”
I take a moment to catch my breath, still reeling from the chaos. “Zina, can you just breathe for a second?” I manage to say, my voice shaky. “I didn’t choose to leave; I got caught in gunfire.”
Her face drains of color. “Gun… gunfire? So it was true! There were whispers in the restaurant about two gangs having a shootout, but we had no idea you were caught up in it!”
“Technically, I wasn’t.”
I mutter the words under my breath, but she hears me. “What do you mean, technically?”
I let out a long breath, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. “Because it was staged, orchestrated by him—”
“By… Mikhail?”
Jace is the first to connect the dots, while Zina clutches her mouth in shock.
“Yes. They were his men, using blanks and terrible aim just to scare me off. It was never real.”
Both of them stare at me as if I’ve just revealed that I’m an alien from another planet.
Jace runs a hand through his tousled hair, clearly agitated. “I knew it! I knew that guy was shady! Gemma, you’re not still planning to work for him, right?”
I don’t respond immediately, and Zina lets out an exasperated groan that echoes through the lobby.
“Ugh! And here I was rooting for you two so hard!”
I turn to her, my brows furrowing in confusion. “Shipping?! What the
“Never mind!” she snaps, cutting me off mid-sentence. “To hell with that for now! Anyway, that jerk isn’t your problem until next month. Let’s enjoy this vacation while we can. No more Cassian or Mikhail for today. We’re going to spend the rest of this day soaking up the sun, sand, and saltwater, and maybe indulge in a little alcohol.”
A reluctant smile breaks through my frustration. “You know what? Deal.”
She throws her arms up in victory. “Great! To distract myself from calling the police and searching for you, I was browsing through some brochures and found a private snorkeling tour around a restricted island.”
“Awesome. Book it.”
I say it without a second thought, and Zina starts tapping rapidly on her phone, her eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Done! The van leaves the hotel in forty minutes.”
Jace wraps an arm around her shoulder, a playful grin on his face.
“Forty minutes!? We need at least ten minutes to grab our clothes and gear.”
“Five minutes,” Zina corrects him, her tone decisive. “Let’s meet right here in the lobby.”
They split off toward the elevators, and I linger for a moment in the lobby, pulling out my phone. If I disappear for the rest of the evening without informing Cassian, he’ll likely launch a search party and potentially blow up half the island in his panic.
I call him, but he hangs up.
I try again, and again, he hangs up.
Frustrated, I open my messages and type quickly.
[Going on a snorkeling tour with my friends. Won’t be available this evening, don’t wait up for me.]
I hit send, shove the phone back into my pocket, and take a deep breath as I head for the elevator.
I’ve done my part to keep him informed, calling and texting my plans. If he chooses to ignore me, that’s on him.
—
**Reyna’s POV**
I hang up on Gemma for the fifth time in a row.
Does she not understand that he doesn’t want to talk to her?
How can someone lack such self-respect? Calling repeatedly, as if Cassian will suddenly come running to her just because she’s whining over the phone.
The phone vibrates in my hand again, and I grit my teeth in irritation. A sixth call! This woman is unbelievably clingy and shameless.
With a flick of my thumb, I end the call, glancing down the corridor where Cassian disappeared a moment ago to use the restroom.
Good! He’s out of sight, and even better, it seems that luck is finally on my side today because she has stopped calling.
Good riddance.
A soft chime flashes on my screen, indicating a text message from Gemma.
[Going on a snorkeling tour… won’t be available this evening…]
Perfect. I don’t even bother reading the rest; I delete the message with a swift swipe. Just one last step remains: to delete the call history.
There. Good riddance!
Just in time, as Cassian returns moments later, wiping his hands on a napkin before sitting down across from me.
“Everything okay?” he asks, his voice casual.
I offer him my softest smile, letting my shoulders relax just a fraction. “Mm-hm. All good.”
The food arrives, but I barely taste it. My mind is consumed with thoughts of the candlelit dinner he had planned for tonight. I had overheard snippets of his conversation with the hotel manager this morning: white wine, a private balcony overlooking the bay, a special Italian chef flown in for the night… it all sounds so obnoxious.
He nods, setting down his napkin, pulling my attention back to him.
“Reyna, the work you were here for is mostly complete. Whatever formalities remain will be handled by my team, and I’ll be spending the rest of this trip with Gemma. You should either join a tour group to explore with, or fly back home whenever you’re ready.”
Cassian’s tone is almost a warning, and though his words sting, I nod sweetly and smile as if I completely understand.
“Of course, don’t worry about me. Just enjoy your vacation. A tour group sounds lovely; I’ll definitely think about it.”
He accepts my response and returns to his coffee. I maintain a relaxed facade, but inside, my mind races with thoughts.
A tour group? Like hell I will.
If Gemma is floating somewhere out at sea right now, then that little candlelight dinner Cassian planned for six o’clock won’t happen. He’ll be left alone, disappointed in her absence.
And when that moment arrives, he will need comfort. I take a sip of my iced tea, hiding a satisfied smile behind the rim of the glass.
One way or another… someone will be sitting across from him at that dinner.
And it isn’t going to be her.
In the wake of chaos, Gemma finds a flicker of clarity amidst the storm of emotions swirling within her. The adrenaline that once fueled her anger begins to dissipate, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie as she embraces the carefree spirit of her friends. Zina’s enthusiasm for the snorkeling tour serves as a balm for her frayed nerves, allowing Gemma to momentarily set aside the tumultuous events with Mikhail. The decision to indulge in the sun and sea symbolizes a shift in her mindset; she is no longer a pawn in someone else’s reckless game but a woman reclaiming her agency. With a reluctant smile breaking through her frustration, she steps forward, ready to dive into the adventure that awaits, leaving behind the shadows of fear and betrayal.
Meanwhile, Reyna’s machinations unfold in the background, her satisfaction stemming from a calculated sense of control over Cassian’s attention. As Gemma seeks solace in the ocean’s embrace, Reyna revels in the notion that her rival’s absence will create an opportunity for her. The contrast between Gemma’s pursuit of freedom and Reyna’s scheming ambition encapsulates the emotional stakes at play. While Gemma sheds the weight of her recent ordeal, Reyna’s determination to manipulate the situation only deepens the tension. As the sun sets on the horizon, both women stand at a crossroads, their paths diverging yet intertwined, each driven by their desires and the choices that will ultimately shape their destinies.
In the upcoming chapter, readers can expect the tension to escalate as Gemma and her friends embark on the snorkeling tour, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface. With Cassian’s attention shifting away from her, Gemma will have to navigate the complexities of her feelings while trying to enjoy the moment. Will the ocean’s beauty provide a much-needed distraction, or will the weight of her unresolved issues with Mikhail and Cassian loom over her like dark clouds? As secrets and hidden agendas surface, Gemma’s resolve will be tested, and she may find herself caught in a web of intrigue that could change the course of her vacation—and her life.
Meanwhile, Reyna’s scheming will take center stage as she plots her next move. With Cassian focused on Gemma, Reyna is determined to insert herself into his life, setting the stage for a confrontation that could shatter the fragile peace between the three of them. Will her manipulations succeed in driving a wedge between Cassian and Gemma, or will Gemma’s strength and resilience shine through the chaos? As the sun sets on the horizon, promises of betrayal and unexpected alliances will create a thrilling atmosphere, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover how the delicate balance of relationships will unfold amid the crashing waves.
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