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Chapter FortyThree
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The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyFour
"Do you really think this is a good idea?" I asked, my voice coming out more hesitant than I intended. Caleb had just strolled back into the living room, his easy smile charming as he carried two glasses of wine. This whole night.. this whole event.. felt much too normal, way too natural for what was meant to be merely an arrangement.“You’re overthinking it,” Caleb remarked, handing me the glass. His fingertips brushed mine, and even that brief touch sent a flood of warmth through me. I was overthinking it, wasn’t I? But how could I not? “Relax. It’s just us,” he added with a smirk, dropping onto the couch beside me, his presence somehow filling the entire room. Just us. If only it were that simple.I took a sip of the wine, letting the rich taste coat my mouth. But it didn’t help lessen the tightening in my chest. Nothing about this was straightforward anymore. What was meant to be a basic deal.. play the role, keep things professional.. was unraveling quicker than I could keep
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyFive
"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
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortySix
As we drove down the dark roads, the steady buzz of the car engine filled the room. As we reached the more remote regions where Caleb's father's house loomed, I gazed out the window, the London cityscape fading into the distance. With each mile we came closer, the knot in my stomach became tighter as my fingers drummed uncomfortably on my thigh.I mumbled, more to myself than to Caleb, "This is crazy." "This type of pressure is not what I signed up for. I never would have agreed to this nonsense in the first place if I had understood that things would get so complex."This shit?" With a crooked smile pulling at the corner of his lips, Caleb repeated, looking at me from the driver's seat. Although his hand was resting lightly on the gear shift, he was unable to hide the stress in his stance.The car slowed before I could reply, and I knew we had reached our goal. The iron gates of the magnificent estate swung wide as Caleb's car drew near.As we both took in the view of his father's
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortySeven
We drove away from Caleb's father's house to a deafning silence in the car. The tension that hung heavy between us was not much eased by the engine's gentle purr. The dinner was all I could think about as I gazed out the window, seeing the dim streets of London pass by.The engagement announcement. The pressure.Caleb’s father had thrown us into the fire, and I wasn’t sure how much longer we could keep up this act.I stole a glance at Caleb, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his jaw clenched. Since we left, he hadn't spoken, and I could feel he was carrying a burden that he wasn't talking about. I couldn't let it go, though. Not tonight."Caleb," I said, upsetting the quiet. "What do you really want?"At first, he stayed silent. His face was unreadable in the low light, and his eyes were still on the road. My heart was racing, and I could feel a mixture of anger and dread building inside of me. I must know. He was pulling me into this mess, and I needed to know why we
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyEight
I tried to focus on the presentation that was due tomorrow by tapping my fingers against the keyboard. The numbers were hazy in front of my eyes, and the worry was gradually giving me a headache. I tried everything to get rid of the uneasiness that had been growing during the day, but it remained. There was something wrong, but I couldn't name it. It felt like a storm was going to hit, and the air was too heavy. I tried to ignore the faint murmur of office talk around me by forcing my gaze back to the spreadsheet. I told myself to just get through the day. The rest could wait.Everyone looked up as the office door flung open so suddenly that it banged against the wall. Monica's heels clicked loudly against the floor, and I paused, my fingers hovering above the keyboard. She strode in, commanding attention as if she owned the room, rather than simply walking in. Whispers started to spread and heads turned, but Monica's eyes were fixed on me.Monica's voice was loud enough for ever
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyNine
Samantha was left standing by herself in the hallway as Caleb entered his office, his shoulders rigid and his mouth taut. A small feeling of fear twisted in her gut as she watched him vanish behind the closed door. She kept thinking about Monica's cold threat: *This won't end well for any of you.* Samantha's nerves hummed with anxiety as she let out a deep exhale. Was Monica merely envious, or did her comments hide something more sinister?Caleb's phone buzzed once more, more consistently, inside his office. His father's name was showing when he looked at the screen. Holding the phone close to his ear, he prepared himself and hit accept."Father," he murmured, keeping a steady tone despite the hint of annoyance.The abrupt answer, which hardly concealed the restrained rage that was underlying it, was, "Caleb. What's happening over there?"Caleb let out a breath while keeping his eyes on the window. He was certain that his father would get right to the problem without wasting any t
The "EX" Factor Chapter Fifty
Samantha could just barely make out the words on the screen as she typed. She kept thinking about how Caleb had been so still the past few days, how his face showed that he was both helpless and angry, but it didn't help her understand anything new. She hoped that something, anything, would make her believe that the beliefs they shared were important enough for him to fight for them. His silence, on the other hand, spoke loads.When she was done, she let out a frustrated groan and squeezed the bridge of her nose to fight the headache that was starting to form inside. Her phone, which was the only thing that kept her grounded in this whole situation, buzzed in the background with a new message from Annie. She read her friend's simple but positive message.. "Are you up for a talk? Want to talk to a me?"Samantha quickly replied via text message, "Yes. Yes, for sure." She was glad to hear Annie's recognizable voice when her phone rang a little while later."Sam!" Annie's voice was
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyOne
The letter felt heavy in my hand, as if every word I’d scrawled on it held a weight I wasn’t ready to carry. My fingers tightened around the edges, crumpling the paper slightly, but I didn’t care. This wasn’t about perfection or politeness.. it was about reclaiming my life. For once, I was choosing to walk away before the pain could fully sink in. Taking a steadying breath, I straightened my back, squared my shoulders, and pushed open Caleb’s office door without knocking.Caleb looked up, eyebrows lifting in surprise.“Sam?” He glanced at the clock on his desk, confusion written across his face. “Is something wrong?”I ignored the warmth in his voice, willing my heart to stay calm. I stepped inside, the letter practically burning my fingers. “I need to talk to you,” I said, forcing my tone to stay steady. His gaze shifted to the paper in my hand, and I saw the flicker of concern flash through his eyes. “What’s going on?” His voice softened, the gentle edge enough to make me falt
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The "EX" Factor Chapter SixtyThree
The rain fell steadily while I stood at the gallery's front window, watching the rivulets streak down the glass. My thoughts were still jumbled from yesterday's chat with Owen and the enigmatic, unfinished business of the letters. I attempted to concentrate on classifying pieces for an upcoming display, but the gnawing anxiety wouldn't let go. A harsh knock on the door made me jump. I turned to see Tyler standing just outside, his hair drenched from the rain and his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. He did not appear casual; rather, he appeared resolute, the set of his jaw indicating trouble. I sighed and unlocked the door. "Tyler," I said, keeping my tone calm. "What are you doing here?" He stepped inside, shaking water off his coat. "We need to talk." I pointed to the seating area near the gallery's back corner, directing him away from the front, where any visitors may notice us. I could sense his stress from the time we sat down. "Okay," I replied, folding my arms
The "EX" Factor Chapter SixtyTwo
The following day came with an almost unreal silence. Torn between incredulity and the unnerving realization that the pieces finally fit, I had spent the whole of the night flipping Owen's business card over in my hand. The letters, the too-familiar feelings... they belonged to him. His objectives, which I was unaware of at the time, had tainted the amicable catch-up. I struggled to catch my breath now as I pushed open the entrance to the modern, minimalist foyer of M&T Galleries. I accepted Owen's invitation to come here prior to the discovery. Now that I knew what I had done, facing him was like taking a stage without a script. "Samantha," Owen gave me a friendly greeting in a relaxed, well-known voice. His effortless smile remained intact as he waited close to the receptionist's desk, looking dapper in a charcoal-gray jacket. I forced myself to grin and said, "Owen." "Come on," he replied, pointing to the corridor. "After I show you the area, we can have a conversation.
The "EX" Factor Chapter SixtyOne
I was late. As I rushed across the busy pavement, the city in which I was standing buzzed with activity and vibrated with vitality. SoHo was in full swing, with galleries staging shows, art collectors weaving in and out of coffee shops, and the unmistakable buzz of creative minds. SoHo was a bustling neighborhood. Even though the big opening of my gallery was only a few days away, the weight of the final touches seemed to increase with each step that I took. In spite of the fact that today was meant to be about promotion and networking, my thoughts was too preoccupied with recent happenings.I felt as though I was caught between old flames after Caleb's abrupt reappearance, his approaches, and Tyler's clumsy attempts to reinsert himself in my life. The mystery love letters just made things more confusing than they already were. These letters had been arriving on a daily basis, and each one seemed to be that much more personal than the one that came before it. It was as though som
The "EX" Factor Chapter Sixty
I slipped into the booth across from Annie, who was already looking over the wine list with a playful twinkle in her eye, and felt the warm, inviting atmosphere of the wine bar.Without raising her gaze, she remarked, "Sam, it's about time you left that gallery and had a proper drink with me." "You need more than one, in my opinion, given everything that's going on."I laughed as I put my elbows on the table and found solace in the low murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses. "You're most likely correct. Lately, life has become a bit more extravagant.When Annie finally looked up, she closed the menu and arched a brow. "More? Attempt to overwhelm. You're right in the center of a soap opera, in my opinion, with Tyler portraying a jealous ex, Caleb's spectacular reappearance, and this mystery surrounding the love letter.I looked at her with a grudging smile and sighed, a weight weighing on me. "You're not incorrect."She gestured for the waiter to take our order, which was a bo
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyNine
When I entered my gallery the following morning, I took a deep breath and inhaled the slight aroma of newly painted rooms and varnish. We were two weeks away from opening, and the room was really coming together. It was a mixture of excitement and fear all mixed into one. My attention was suddenly drawn away from my thoughts as I heard a knock at the door. I had just started organizing some display pieces. I turned around, half-expecting to see my helper, but as I did so, I saw Tyler standing there. I was briefly taken aback by his sudden presence, and I blinked in response. It had been years since he had previously visited in this manner, and the manner in which he stood, with his hands stuffed into his pockets and a tightness around his mouth, made it quite evident that he was not simply there to say hello."Tyler," I answered, noticing that my heart rate was quickening. "Have I forgotten about a meeting that we might have?"He gave a small shake of his head while his eyes wander
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyEight
The pleasant hum of voices filled the gallery, mingling with the smooth jazz seeping through the air. I held my glass loosely, pretending to sip as I listened to the gallery owner reel off facts about the next installation. My mind wandered, but.. I could only envision what my own place would look like in a few short months, its walls bursting with chosen things that I’d handpicked. Just the thought of it made me tingle with enthusiasm. But then a chill, a change, and a low, familiar voice pierced through the evening’s warmth. “I knew New York was missing something without you.”My breath stilled, and I spun around, feeling my fingers tighten over the glass. Caleb. He looked every bit as sharp as I recalled.. polished, confident, his eyes searching my face like he hadn’t seen it in weeks. Which he hadn’t. A quick up-and-down demonstrated how time had just made him look even more put-together. I attempted a pleasant grin, hoping my amazement didn’t show. “Caleb. I didn’t know y
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftySeven
Trying to bring my breathing under control, I stabilised myself against the icy glass of the window ledge. Tyler was standing there, his presence apparent, a face that I had attempted to bury deep inside my consciousness. I had thought I had forgotten about him. However, when I saw him once more, my heart rate increased, and I felt a conflicting mixture of contempt and something that felt perilously near to love.Greetings, Sam! The tone of Tyler's speech was gentle, and his stare was unwavering, filled with something that was too close and too familiar.After taking a deep breath, I compelled myself to provide a response. I said, "Tyler," maintaining a steady tone of voice, despite the fact that each syllable seemed like it was balancing on thin glass. What are you doing in this location?I was extended an invitation. That you would also be here was a surprise to me. He placed his hands into his pockets, his shoulders stiff yet serene, his gaze never leaving mine. “But I’m glad you
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftySix
The rhythmic pounding of hammers and the buzz of drills filled the gallery space, a cacophony of new beginnings. I stood in the middle of it all, hands on my hips, surveying the progress with a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.The walls, once bare and lifeless, now sported a fresh coat of white, a blank canvas ready to house the dreams I’d nurtured for so long.Annie walked in carrying two steaming cups of coffee, her face glowing with excitement. She handed me one and took a seat on the dusty counter we’d been using as a makeshift desk.“This place is starting to look like the real deal,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “You’ve got an eye for this, Sam.”I smiled, the compliment warming me more than the coffee. “It’s finally happening,” I murmured, more to myself than to her. “I’m really doing it.”“And I couldn’t be prouder,” Annie said, her eyes soft with genuine affection. “You’ve come a long way.”We shared a moment of silence, the noise of construction work around us so
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyFive
I strolled into Annie’s kitchen, my head still hurting from the blur of last night.She was already at the counter, flipping pancakes with a big grin that only increased when she got sight of me. Her eyes narrowed with mischief, obviously realizing I had a story to tell.“So…” she began, tilting her head in a way that made it apparent she wasn’t allowing me out of this. “Ready to spill, or are you going to keep me guessing?”I let out a deep sigh, collapsing onto one of the stools and grasping the mug of coffee she offered me. The recollection of waking up next to Tyler made my cheeks flush, the mixture of emotions boiling just beneath the surface... anger, nostalgia, a weird comfort I’d forgotten he could provide.“It was him,” I murmured finally, the words sliding off my lips, feeling both bitter and somehow liberated. “The guy from last night was Tyler.”Annie’s spatula landed with a crash. She gazed at me, blinking like she wasn’t sure if she’d heard me right.“Tyler?” she muttere
