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Chapter SixtyOne

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2024-11-12 16:20:56

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
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  • 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.

    Last Updated : 2024-11-23

  • 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

    Last Updated : 2024-11-27

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtyFour

    As I sat cross-legged on the bed with my laptop closed next to me, unopened for hours, the calm of my room was filled with the gentle hum of the air conditioner. On the bedside table was a lukewarm cup of coffee. I was unable to concentrate on anything else as my mind swirled, entangled in a web of opposing feelings. Owen's revelation, still unfiltered and uneasy, echoed faintly. With each minute that went by, Tyler's admonition grew louder and more pointed. And his name, Caleb, kept coming back to me like a silent question mark. Is Tyler correct about him? Was there truly another side to the Caleb I knew, the one who had always come across as so confident, polished, and charming? I rubbed my temples while looking at the floor in blankness. Was I being naïve, because Caleb didn't seem like the kind to lie or take shortcuts? I began accumulating trivial, seemingly unimportant facts about him. His evasive justifications for leaving London. the vague remarks on his earlier endea

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtyFive

    As I sat in the corner booth of the small café, my fingers were tight around a hot mug of coffee. In my mind, I kept going over what Tyler had said about Caleb. It was clear that last night's sleep for me wasn't good. When the doorbell rang, my heart skipped a beat, and I looked up, hoping Bella would hurry. She replied right away to my earlier SMS, which was almost meaningless. "Don't move. I'll be there."When the door opened again, she ran in with her bag around her wrist and half of her coat off. Even though Bella looked a little upset and had her dark hair in a messy bun, her worried eyes went straight to me. "What's wrong?" She slid into the seat across from me and tossed her bag aside, saying, "You look like you've seen a ghost." I ran a hand through my hair and admitted, "I don't even know where to start." Before I could stop them, the words came out. "That's Caleb." Bella knitted her brows together and leaned closer. "How about him? Did he do something?"Her unflinchi

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtySix

    I took a step back to make sure the wall frame was level before adjusting it. Except for the slight hum of traffic outside and the occasional footfall of people peeping through the window, the gallery was still today. The quiet that had descended around us was finally broken by Caleb's low, smooth voice. "You've surpassed yourself, Sam," he remarked, pointing to the colorful painting before us. "The show might be stolen by this one." He was standing with his arms folded when I turned around, looking at the piece as if he were truly enthralled. I didn't mind his compliments today, but it always seemed a bit too staged and polished. I required the diversion. "Thanks," I said, attempting to sound casual. "But you have a bias." With a subtle yet recognizable scent, he took a step closer. "Perhaps. But then, I can spot talent when I see it."Although the words were lovely, there was something strange about Caleb. He had been checking his phone all morning, frowning whenever he loo

    Last Updated : 2024-11-30

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtySeven

    The faint strains of instrumental jazz playing in the background blended with the gentle hum of conversation that filled the gallery. The subtle tang of paint and varnish blended with the aroma of freshly made coffee from the tiny corner cafe. A pair strolled about the room, whispering to one other and pointing to the pieces on exhibit. A pen was clicking absently against a notepad while I sat at my desk by the window. My cell buzzed and clattered on the wood floor. My stomach turned when Caleb's name appeared on the screen. I just stared at it for a while. I pushed the side button without giving it any thought, and I saw the call end up in voicemail. Even though I felt a lot of guilt, it wasn't enough to stop the doubts from eating away at me. I couldn't get Bella's remarks out of my thoughts from our café conversation: "Sam, there's something strange about him." The whispered phone conversation I heard, the rumors.. I wasn't sure if I wanted to put the puzzle pieces toget

    Last Updated : 2024-12-05

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtyEight

    As I stepped inside, the café was alive with activity, the perfume of freshly ground coffee beans mixed with the subtle aroma of cooked pastries. The line was long, but that was not unusual for this establishment. It had always been one of those trendy hangouts where folks huddled over laptops or caught up with friends. The sound of conversations mixed with the clinking of cups and the faint hiss of the espresso machine. I surveyed the room, feeling strangely out of place, but then I saw him. Tyler. He sat in a corner booth, dressed in his typical crisp black jacket and a white shirt with a slightly open collar, his stance both calm and tight. As I went in, his dark eyes raised and locked on mine almost immediately. There was that familiar spark of recognition, which always sent a rush of warmth through me, no matter how many times I saw him. He motioned me over, his lips curving into a faint smile. For a minute, I stood there, stuck in place, unsure if I was truly prepared

    Last Updated : 2024-12-05

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter SixtyNine

    The Wills event was every bit as lavish as I expected. The massive hall of the Park Royal Hotel had been transformed into an very beautiful space with crystal chandeliers fitting the elegantly attired guests in a warm, golden light. A breathtaking view of the city skyline, with lights glistening like a sea of diamonds, was provided by floor-to-ceiling windows. Towering flower centerpieces adorned tables covered in white silk linens, their exquisite aroma mingling with the subtle hint of champagne in the air. The evening was a charity gala, a usual Wills family event, and the guests came dressed to impress. The women shimmered in beautiful dresses, their laughing bouncing off the marble floors, while the men looked brilliant in cut tuxedos. A live orchestra performed softly in the background, adding a touch of timeless sophistication to an already magnificent setting. I stood at the door, my arm linked with Tyler's, feeling out of place despite the stunning gown Bella had enc

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    Tyler exhaled sharply as he pushed himself up from the therapy bench, sweat dampening his shirt. His muscles trembled from exertion, but he gritted his teeth and steadied himself. Samantha stood nearby, watching him with careful eyes, ready to step in if he faltered. “Easy,” she murmured. He shot her a look. “I’m fine.” She crossed her arms, one brow lifting. “You nearly collapsed last week. Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it.” Tyler sighed but didn’t argue. Truth be told, he still felt the weakness lingering in his limbs, the occasional dizziness that reminded him he wasn’t at full strength yet. But he was improving. And that mattered. The physical therapist, a middle-aged man named Greg, clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s enough for today. You don’t want to push too hard.” Tyler wiped a hand over his face and nodded. “Got it.” Samantha handed him a water bottle, and as he took a sip, her fingers brushed against his. It was a small, fleeting touch, but it g

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