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Chapter FortyFive

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-09 04:19:46

"Okay, spill. What’s going on with you and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Complicated?"

Annie’s voice reverberated from the speaker, crisp and humorous, just as I remembered it.

I reclined in my chair and gazed out of my apartment's large window, a small smile tugging at my lips. Even though the London skyline was in front of me, I felt as though I was sitting across from Annie in New York, holding coffee cups.

"Annie," I muttered, shaking my head as if she couldn't see me. "It's not that simple."

"It's always that straightforward. "You are either into him or not." I could hear dishes clinking in the background. She was presumably in the kitchen, multitasking as usual. "And I don't need to be in the same country to know that you're definitely into him."

I grumbled, twisting the phone chord between my fingers as if it could somehow bind my jumbled sentiments. "It isn't about being into him. It's more nuanced than that."

"Please enlighten me, sweetheart. Because, from where I'm standing, it soun
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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter FortySeven

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter FortyNine

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter NinetySix

    When I answered Daniel's call, his warm voice immediately relieved some of the tension in my chest. "Samantha," he said smoothly. "I was hoping you'd be free for dinner tonight." Dinner? I paused, looking at my desk, which was stacked with paperwork. However, burying myself in work hasn't done much to quiet the noise in my head lately. "Dinner sounds great," I remarked, my tone lighter than I felt. "Perfect," he responded. "I'm in the Juniper Room. It's calm and private... one of my favorites. Do you want me to come pick you up? The offer caught me off surprise; it was a simple but considerate gesture. "Oh, no, it's fine," I responded immediately. "I am still at the gallery, but I will drive myself. "I need the drive anyway." There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his tone curious. “You sure everything’s okay?” “Absolutely,” I lied, forcing a smile even though he couldn’t see me. “Just been a long day, that’s all.” He didn’t push, thankfully, and aft

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter NinetyFive

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    I extended my arms above my head, wincing as my back protested the hours I'd spent crouched over my laptop. The quiet hum of the city filtered through the window, a constant reminder of the life that still thrived beyond Ann's apartment. The room was dim save for the brightness of my screen and the digital clock in the corner, which read 12:43 AM. My workspace was chaotic, with half-empty coffee cups, sticky notes with reminders, and a stack of sketches that needed to be finalized for an upcoming gallery assignment. I needed a distraction. The option was to let my thoughts drift back to Tyler. To Julia. Hello to everyone. God, I had been willing to give him another chance. Despite his aunt's harsh remarks and the mountains of baggage between us, I was prepared to try. But he'd shattered that fragile relationship with a truth I couldn't ignore: he was still sleeping with her. The notion twisted in my chest, harsh and cruel. I shook my head and concentrated on the image, r

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    "I'm going to kill you for this," I shouted into my phone as I paced near the door to Artistry Heights Gallery, my small haven that felt too huge to fill tonight. The clean area shone under warm golden lighting, with every nook perfectly displaying the handpicked designs I'd spent months creating. "I'm sorry!" Ann's voice crackled across the line. "There was traffic, and I had to stop for gas…" "You know I hate showing up to these things alone." I adjusted the neckline of my midnight blue gown, the fabric stroking across my skin as if it could soothe the anxiety churning inside me. "Please hurry up. "I am starting to feel like a stray dog at a purebred gala." "You'll be fine," Ann reassured me, her voice full of false confidence. "Just channel that CEO energy you always bragging about. "You got this!" Before I could respond, the call went dead. Typical Ann. I sighed, squared my shoulders, and walked into the center of the networking event. The gallery was humming with act

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    Tyler slammed the conference room door behind him, sending reverberations through the office's quiet hallways. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wall, placing his hands against his temples. The meeting with Smith Corporation had been disastrous. Every word exchanged seemed like another brick crumbling from the flimsy wall that held his firm together. The Hartwell family. The Hartwells were circling like vultures, and Tyler's stomach churned at Smith Corp.'s shaky commitment to their alliance. He could feel the weight of each decision on his shoulders. If they lost the Smith deal, it would cause a domino effect, and he wasn't sure RindCorp would survive. His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he took it out, expecting a message from Ben. Instead, there was an email with a synopsis of their present financial situation. Tyler opened it, but the figures blurred together, leaving him unable to focus. He exhaled sharply, his throat tightening as frustration clawed at him. "Mr

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