Chapter 206

In Chapter 205 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Gemma finds herself unexpectedly confronted by the hotel receptionist regarding her accommodation charges. After a long and tumultuous day, she is caught off guard when informed that her husband, Cassian, has switched rooms and left her responsible for the exorbitant bill of the presidential suite. This revelation sparks a mix of confusion, anger, and a sense of newfound independence within Gemma, as she realizes that Cassian’s actions have inadvertently granted her a moment of freedom from his controlling presence.
Determined not to be manipulated by Cassian, Gemma decides to seek refuge with her friend Zina instead of paying the outrageous bill. Her frustration boils over as she explains the situation to Zina, revealing the staggering cost of the suite and her refusal to waste money on it. Despite her attempts to maintain a light-hearted demeanor, Gemma’s irritation is palpable, and she grapples with the implications of her decision to stay with Zina rather than securing her own room.
Meanwhile, Cassian is strategizing his next move, having orchestrated the room change with the expectation that Gemma would confront him. However, his plans unravel as he discovers that she has checked out of the hotel entirely. This unexpected turn of events ignites a mix of disbelief and irritation in Cassian, who feels both challenged and intrigued by Gemma’s boldness. As he grapples with his emotions, he reflects on their tumultuous relationship and the impact of her departure on their honeymoon.
The chapter culminates with Cassian receiving a call from the police regarding Reyna Holloway, a figure from their past, who has encountered an incident. This news forces Cassian to confront his feelings about Reyna and the potential fallout it may have on his relationship with Gemma. The chapter ends on a tense note, highlighting the complex web of emotions and unresolved issues between the characters, setting the stage for further conflict and revelations.
**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 205**
**Chapter 205**
**Gemma’s POV**
The moment I step into the hotel lobby, my fingers absently twisting my bracelet, I am jolted from my thoughts by a bright, cheerful voice calling my name. At this hour of the night, such exuberance seems almost surreal.
“Mrs. Blackwell!”
I halt in my tracks, forcing a polite smile as I pivot to face the source of the sound. “Yes?”
The receptionist beams at me, her smile as practiced and radiant as her tone.
“Regarding your room, will you be extending your stay? We actually need to settle the charges for an additional night in your original suite if you wish to keep it.”
My smile falters, confusion washing over me.
“Isn’t it paid for, in advance?” I ask, my voice tinged with disbelief.
“Indeed, the payment was made for the room under Mr. Blackwell’s name, originally booked for several nights,” she explains, her tone condescending, as if I were a child struggling to understand a simple concept.
“But he changed rooms this evening and specified that you would be responsible for the charges on the original presidential suite upon your return.”
For a fleeting moment, relief floods through me. Cassian moving to another room means I can breathe, at least for a little while—distance from his stifling presence feels like a precious gift.
A rebellious joy bubbles up within me. Could anything be more perfect than this unexpected freedom?
“No problem!” I exclaim, my voice perhaps too bright given the tumultuous day I’ve had.
“Excellent. By how many days should I extend the booking?” she asks, her fingers dancing across the keyboard.
“Two, for now,” I declare, a surge of independence coursing through me. If only I knew that my relief would last a mere three seconds.
The receptionist continues to type, her sweet, monotonous voice slicing through my thoughts.
“Great. The total for two additional nights will be $886,000.”
I blink, disbelief washing over me. “Eight hundred-what?”
She repeats it, unfazed: “Eight hundred eighty-six thousand dollars, ma’am.”
My mouth goes dry. That amount isn’t just exorbitant; it’s downright extortionate.
For a fleeting moment, I envision myself pulling out my credit card, swallowing the absurd fee just to maintain my pride. But no! Paying that amount would mean Cassian wins in whatever twisted game he’s playing.
Technically, I could afford it; the payout from my recent hacking job is burning a hole in my account. But the very principle of it ignites my fury. He cannot leave me with this bill while he lounges in another room, absolutely not!
I lean closer to the desk, lowering my voice conspiratorially.
“Actually, I think my husband has gotten confused. There must be some misunderstanding, and I should probably go and discuss this matter with him directly.”
“Sure, ma’am. Please wait while I check the number of his new suite…”
The receptionist blinks, her smile faltering into a look of confusion as I turn on my heel, not waiting for her response.
I don’t need Cassian’s number; I know exactly whose door I need to knock on first.
By the time I reach Zina’s floor, my irritation simmers just beneath the surface, hot and prickly against my skin. I rap sharply on her door.
Zina opens it groggily, her hair tousled in a messy bun, eyes still heavy with sleep.
“Gem? What’s wrong? You look like you’re about to murder someone.”
I step inside without a word, tossing my clutch onto the nearest chair with a huff.
“That’s because I am! Cassian switched rooms and left me holding the bill for the presidential suite. Do you have any idea how much that place costs?” I pace the room, the frustration bubbling over. “$443,000 a night! For two nights, that’s $886,000! Do I look insane enough to throw that kind of money away?”
“So what are you planning?” Zina asks, her brow furrowing in concern.
I stop pacing and meet her gaze directly. “I’m staying with you, that’s what I’m planning.”
“Oh, yeah, of course!” she replies, her tone lightening.
I drop onto the edge of her sofa with an exaggerated sigh, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Honestly, it’s better this way. Why should I waste money on a separate room just to prove a point? It would be utterly ridiculous.”
Zina presses her lips together, her silence stretching uncomfortably. I realize, a fraction too late, that in declaring I won’t waste money on a room, I may have inadvertently insulted her for choosing to do just that.
—
**Cassian’s POV**
The moment I returned to the hotel yesterday, a plan had formed in my mind, clear and unwavering. I instructed the front desk to change my room.
If Gemma wants to stay, she’ll have no choice but to come to me. The presidential suite isn’t cheap, and I know she doesn’t have the funds to waste like that.
I anticipate her arrival, picturing her storming into my room, head held high, yet her eyes ablaze with fury. I’m ready to confront her anger, even welcome it.
But as the hours drag on, she never appears. I find myself staring at the door of my new suite, the silence gnawing at my nerves.
The clock ticks past midnight… finally, I snatch the phone and call the front desk.
“Has Ms. Blackwell returned to her suite?”
The receptionist hesitates before responding, “Yes, sir. She came back about an hour ago. She mentioned she would talk to you upstairs—”
“She’s not here. Did you check the original suite?”
I can hear muffled voices in the background.
“Sir, the cleaner confirmed that Mrs. Blackwell packed up her belongings and checked out more than forty-five minutes ago. We don’t have a—”
*Checked out!? You mean, she left the hotel?*
“I… I suppose so, sir. You could try calling her… or contact her directly—”
I hang up before she can finish, slamming the receiver down in frustration. For a moment, I sit on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall. A sharp laugh escapes me, tinged with disbelief. “Ha! She really has some guts…”
She dares to vanish on me like this! She thinks she can slip away without so much as a word, like a thief in the night?
Once again, she has demonstrated that she would rather disappear than face me…
I try to walk off my anger, but sleep eludes me.
I toss and turn, staring at the ceiling as the hours crawl by. Exhaustion weighs heavily on my bones, yet my mind races, replaying every argument, every accusation, every fight we’ve had… and all I can think about is how thoughtlessly she has ruined our honeymoon.
The faint light of dawn filters through the blinds, and I don’t know when my eyes finally close. They snap open at the metallic clang of the pool being scrubbed outside.
I curse under my breath, feeling both exhausted and furious.
My head is throbbing, and just when I think I might find some peace, my phone begins to ring.
It’s a local number I don’t recognize.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Blackwell? This is Sergeant Miller from the Nassau precinct. There has been an incident involving Ms. Reyna Holloway. She’s listed you as her emergency contact, and we need you to come down here immediately.”
For a long moment, I remain silent. Part of me wants to ignore it, to let her deal with her own mess. I have long since stopped believing in Reyna’s innocence, but then I think of Rhett.
That idiot still cares about her, blind to her flaws. If something happens to her and I do nothing, it will damage our relationship more than any betrayal ever could.
I sigh, forcing down my irritation. “I’ll be there shortly.”
Whether she’s guilty or not, I’ll deal with it.
In the aftermath of the tumultuous events that unfolded in the hotel, Gemma finds herself at a crossroads, balancing her frustration with a newfound sense of independence. The confrontation with Cassian, though avoided for now, looms over her like a dark cloud, threatening to rain down chaos once more. Yet, in this moment of rebellion, as she chooses to stay with Zina instead of succumbing to Cassian’s manipulative game, she discovers a flicker of strength within herself. The decision to prioritize her dignity over monetary concerns serves as a catalyst for her emotional growth, igniting a desire to reclaim her narrative amidst the turmoil of their relationship.
On the other side, Cassian grapples with the consequences of his actions, realizing too late that his grand plan to draw Gemma back to him has only driven her further away. The call from Sergeant Miller serves as a harsh reminder that the complexities of their lives extend beyond their personal struggles, intertwining with the unpredictable realities of their past choices. As he prepares to confront yet another crisis, Cassian’s anger morphs into a deeper sense of longing for connection, illuminating the cracks in his facade. The emotional arc of this chapter underscores the delicate balance between love and conflict, leaving both Gemma and Cassian to navigate the uncertain waters of their relationship, each step drawing them closer to an inevitable reckoning.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Gemma and Cassian escalates, readers can expect a whirlwind of emotions in the next chapter. Gemma, feeling emboldened by her decision to stay with Zina, will confront the fallout of her impulsive choice to leave Cassian’s hotel suite. With her independence on the line and the looming threat of financial repercussions, Gemma must navigate the complex web of their relationship. Will she muster the courage to confront Cassian about his manipulative tactics, or will she find herself ensnared in a battle of wills that threatens to unravel their already fragile bond?
Meanwhile, Cassian’s unexpected call from Sergeant Miller introduces an urgent twist that could change everything. As he rushes to the precinct, the stakes are raised not only for Reyna but also for Gemma and Cassian’s relationship. Will Cassian’s protective instincts kick in, forcing him to confront his feelings for Gemma and the implications of Reyna’s troubles? The chapter promises to delve into the intricacies of loyalty, betrayal, and the choices that define their futures. Expect revelations, confrontations, and perhaps a turning point that could either bridge the gap between Gemma and Cassian or push them further apart. The anticipation of what lies ahead will leave readers eagerly turning the pages.
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