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Chapter Ten
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The "EX" Factor Chapter Eleven
I could finally feel it, I could sense the freedom. I took a final glance at Ann, my best friend, and Owen, my colleague from the Design shop, the one Tyler accused me of cheating with, waving at me from the airport terminal as I ascended the stairs to board my flight.. I caught sight of Ann whispering something while my gaze was on her. “Take care of yourself!!” I read her lips and I'm most certain it was what she said. I smiled, nodded, and waved back then turned my gaze back to the plane's entryway taking a deep breath. I was finally leaving. Leaving behind the harsh memories, the pain, heartbreaks, crying to bed almost every night, wishing one day my dad would come looking for me, and most importantly, away from Tyler. The past three days had helped a lot, giving me strength and solace, especially with Ann by my side, helping me recover from both my physical and emotional wounds. I took my seat by the window, breathed a sigh of relief, and secured my seatbelt.
The "EX" Factor Chapter Twelve
The loud and sudden ringing of my alarm dragged me from sleep the following morning, pulling me out of a deep sleep. I stared at the wall clock, its hands verifying it was precisely 7:00 a.m. Relief flooded over me.“Thank goodness,” I whispered, happy I hadn’t overslept and missed my alarm.Arriving at the apartment yesterday had weakened me so much that I simply took a brief shower and dropped into the bed. I didn’t even bother unpacking or exploring my new space.. just straight to sleep. My body had been too exhausted to contemplate doing anything else. But I was glad I had the wisdom to set my alarm ahead, even for two hours sooner. Without that precaution, given how tired I was, I would have surely overslept and missed my appointment fixed booked for 9:00 a.m. at the office.Dragging myself out of bed, I streched my arms high over my head, yawning deeply as I made to shake off tiredness and sleepiness from my body. My reflection in the dressing mirror got my attention.. a m
The "EX" Factor Chapter Thirteen
“So...where do we go from here?” He asked and I could see the mischievous smirk playing on the corners of his lips. I swallowed, trying to make sense if what was happening. Wait, does this mean…? If he's here in this office right now then…My mind went back to the inscription on the door before coming in, it was clearly written in bold block letters 'CEO’.. So it means, he's the boss? I tightened my grip on my portfolio.. “Uhm.. I, I'm so sorry about what happened earlier.. I-I didn't know.. I didn't know you were…” His loud laughter took over the room, interrupting my stutter. My brows furrowed, and there was a hint of irritation in me, I mean… how arrogant? “Please have your seat and introduce yourself.” He gestured to the seat before him.I sighed, my grip still tightened on my portfolio as I advanced towards the chair. I sat down, my gaze meeting his. Up close, he was even more handsome. His jaw was strong, his eyes a deep shade of blue, but he wasn't as attractive as Tyl
The "EX" Factor Chapter Fourteen
Hours flew by and it was finally time to go on dinner with my new boss. I was starving; I hadn't had real food since my arrival in London so I wasn’t really focusing on how strange the situation was.. at least not yet. At 7:00 PM on the dot, we met in the parking lot like we agreed, well after the office had emptied out. I had agreed to have dinner with him since I'd be heading straight home afterwards.. didn't want to deal with any potential awkwardness at work if we had lunch instead. At least I'd be refreshed the next day. "Ready?" He asked, flashing me a smile. "Sure," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. He opened the car door for me, and I stepped in, casting one last look at the huge office building before he pulled away. It was a quiet drive to the restaurant, neither of us said a word, allowing the soft hum of R&B playing in his car to fill the silence. I took the opportunity to admire the city lights of London, forming a warm glow against the evening s
The "EX" Factor Chapter Fifteen
I stood motionless, my hands getting tighter around the phone as I tried to process what was going on. Tyler? The name stuck in my head, jarring with the restaurant's calm atmosphere. Tyler. It's really him."Samantha?" His voice came again, kind, yet full of that familiar ignorance that had attracted and then repulsed me.I blinked as I felt Caleb's unreadable look and his eyes piercing me. I stood up from my chair, momentarily forgetting his presence. “Please excuse me.” I managed to say with a shaky voice.Even with the phone placed to my ear, Caleb's gaze never left mine as I passed.I shut myself in a stall as soon as I walked into the bathroom."Tyler, what do you want?" I was able to whisper while maintaining a neutral, flat tone, finally breaking the silence from my end. But my heart kept pounding in my chest deep down.On the other end, there was a moment of silence that only Tyler could pull off. There was a pause on the other end, the kind of silence that only Tyler c
The "EX" Factor Chapter Sixteen
I groaned as I entered my flat and saw how disorganized my bedroom was. The bed was covered in clothes, left over from the hectic morning rush to get ready for work.My head still reeling from the day's events, I stumbled to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth as I was too tired to handle the chaos.I was in the restroom, splattering water on my face when I noticed my reflection in the mirror. The last few days of worry had taken its toll and it was now showing on my face, the stress was all visible. "Gosh, I need a hell'a rest" I muttered as I splashed another water on my face. I was about to take another splash when attention got drawn to the scar on my forehead, which was now a reminder from the event that had altered my life. With the pain and sadness still vivid in my memory, my palm moved to the mark and traced its contours. My hand instinctively reached for my stomach, a recollection of my former motherly tendencies that are now only a faint memory."I'm so
The "EX" Factor Chapter Seventeen
Julie tapped her fingers on the desk over and over, getting more and more angry.. her frustration was beginning to get the best of her. "How long does it take to do something simple?" She muttered within herself For what seemed like the hundredth time, she glanced at her phone. Not a single new thing yet. She clenched her teeth, and in her chest, anxiety and excitement mixed. The plan was clear: get rid of Samantha for good. Just how hard's that??, she thought, running her hands through her hair in frustration. Thinking about how easy it would have been if everything had gone as planned, she smirked. But she was left to wait, and she didn't know if everything had fallen apart.. let's not celebrate yet. Just as she was about to lose it, her phone buzzed loudly, breaking the dead quiet. Her heart pounding as she unlocked the screen, she grabbed it. The words flashed in: "Sadly, we were unable to continue with it. I've been told that she left the country f
The "EX" Factor Chapter Eighteen
With the soft sound of my heels hitting the sidewalk at every step, I sped along the almost empty street as the cool morning air sliced into my skin. Anxiety was eating away at me every second as my heart raced in time with my step. I was aware that I was late for work ...again... but this time there was a greater urgency than the ticking clock.I kept my eyes straight ahead, focusing on the path that led to the main street. But then I heard it again, a distinct sound behind me. Footsteps. They matched my pace, almost as if whoever was behind me was mimicking every move I made. I felt fear take hold of me and tighten its hold on my chest. I fastened my speed, but the footsteps still matched mine. Was I seeing this wrong? Was I just being tricked by paranoia? I made an effort to convince myself that it was nothing more than another person going about their business on their way to work. However, the empty street offered little solace.. there were no well-known people, no famil
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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
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyFour
That night, after a quick stop at her apartment for me to freshen up and change, we hit the club.It was a buzzing place, the music loud and infectious, the energy electric. I felt a strange sort of freedom as we stepped into the thrumming crowd.Maybe it was the relief of having left London behind, or maybe it was the thrill of being back in New York with my best friend. Either way, I decided to give in to the moment.Annie grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bar, ordering us both drinks. The bartender slid two brightly colored cocktails our way, and Annie raised hers in a toast.“To new beginnings,” she said, clinking her glass against mine. “And to letting go of complicated billionaire boyfriends.”I laughed, the sound surprised but genuine. “To letting go.”We downed our drinks, and Annie dragged me onto the dance floor. The music pulsed, wrapping around us, and I let it carry me. For the first time in a long time, I felt light.. unburdened, even if just for a while. Annie w
The "EX" Factor Chapter FiftyThree
I made my way to Annie's restaurant while dragging my bag through the crowded streets of New York City and dodging passersby who are impatient with its pace.There was no stopping now, despite the fact that my legs felt like lead. I feel as like I am crossing some invisible line between two lives, one of which is now in London with Caleb, and the other of which is the one I left behind here. Each step feels unreal. It has only been a few months, but it feels like years have passed.Everything that I believed I had constructed was left behind in that office, along with a portion of my heart.Last but not least, I am able to locate the restaurant, which has warm lights emanating from its windows onto the street. As I enter the door, I am surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked bread and coffee, which I am accustomed to smelling. Annie's eyes widen as if she has seen a ghost as she lifts her head up from the counter as I enter inside the house."What's up, Samantha?" She sighs, her
