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Chapter ThirtyOne
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The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyTwo
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. The auction went much better than I had expected, nearly too well. My designs were on full show, and the audience buzzed with excitement. Each bid appeared to raise the stakes, increasing the cost of the design I'd spent weeks coming up with. Then the final bid came in. Tyler. It had to be him, out of everyone in the room. He'd lifted his paddle and immediately outbid everyone. The room had fallen silent, a weird tension creeping over the audience as the auctioneer's hammer fell. Sold. To Tyler Wills. I didn't know what to feel at the time. Shock? Anger? Perhaps both. He said nothing, just he sat there grinning broadly as though he had just won some twisted game. The event ended soon after, and as people left the room's energy changed. I had done my part and met my commitments. Now it was time to leave. And so I found myself in Caleb's car, driving away from the scene, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyThree
"Wow... such a cute, girly interior." Caleb's voice was gentle, carrying a touch of surprise as he walked inside. I grinned a little, watching him take in the space. My apartment wasn’t very big, but it was nice.. pastel pink pillows carefully arranged on my cream-colored couch, a few candles on the coffee table, and fairy lights hung over the windows. The framed images of sunflowers I’d picked up at a flea market added a pleasant touch. "Thanks," I said, slamming the door behind us. "All credit goes to the Rinders.” Caleb raised an eyebrow as he smiled. I nodded toward the couch. "Please, sit." He proceeded toward the sofa, and I took a quick glance around, quietly thanking myself that I hadn’t left a mess this morning. The home was clean, and for once, I felt like I had my life together.. even if it was just for a while.Caleb sat down, nestling into the cushions. "So," he began, his gaze roaming the room before resting back on me. "How's it been? Settling in here, I mean."
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyFour
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, trying to keep my thoughts stable as the minutes passed. Tonight was meant to be a celebration. Caleb had prepared a team dinner to honor me for obtaining the multimillion-dollar contract. I should be excited, grateful even.. yeah, I was. But something else drew at me, an invisible weight drawing me back, tying me to the memories I thought I'd put behind.Tyler.I breathed sharply, allowing the name to resonate in my mind for a second before shoving it back down and locking it away. He was in my past, not my future. Not anymore.. I've got to stop dwelling on these thoughts.. I smoothened my dress, the silky fabric cool against my skin, but it did not help me calm the storm within of me.My phone hummed as I got ready to leave and picked my bags. It was Caleb. I hesitated, stared at the screen, then after a few secs, swiped to answer."Hey," his voice sounded cool as usual. Trying to keep my voice firm so it doesn't rev
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThiryFive
After a few hours, I arrived at the venue. A private hall in a five-star hotel located in the heart of London, close to the office. As I stepped into the beautiful room, the lights seemed to shine straight on me, as if I had entered another world. Music filled the air, and laughing rang against the walls. I hesitated for a moment to gather myself before heading in. The team dinner was in full swing, with people dancing, joking, and toasting to the night. I was slightly late, but only by a few minutes. It didn't really matter.I was here now, and tonight was entirely about me. Tables were laid with appetizing-looking delicacies. I could see little desserts, roasted vegetables, and grilled chicken meals set up like pieces of art. Glasses of expensive wines sparkled under the gentle lighting, and the air smelled like freshly made bread. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since noon. I pushed through, offering small smiles and nods as I greeted my colleagues.“Hey, Sama
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtySix
"Take it easy, Sam. "You are drinking too much." Caleb's voice was quiet yet edged with worry, which struck me as weird.I just smiled and nodded, loving the sensation of hot liquid running down my throat. It was exactly what I wanted, and I was loving it.This five-star hotel and expensive bar were not the place to get wasted, but here I was.I knew I was drinking heavily, but I didn't care. Not tonight.Tonight, I planned to leave everything behind. I would focus solely on myself. That is the main reason of the celebration in the first place.Whirling the liquid in front of me, I looked at the half-empty glass and then drank once again.I reached for the tequila bottle right away to top my glass.I was going to take another gulp when Caleb stopped me, firmly grabbing my hands."Hey, Sam, are you okay?" he inquired, taking the glass from me. "Don't drink like this. You are a woman. What is wrong? Is anything bothering you? You don't look like your usual bright self."I pulled my hand
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtySeven
The first thing that hit me was the pounding in my skull. A slow, dull pound in my head that grew louder as I blinked my eyes open. Everything was blurry at first, the room spinning slowly. I groaned, pressing my palms into the mattress to steady myself.Where was I?I blinked again, hoping to force my vision to clear. The dim light crept through the blinds, throwing deep shadows throughout the room. I know this place.. This was my room. My bed. My sheets.And then I felt it.. my skin against the blankets. Bare skin. The hell?My heart crashed against my chest as I slowly looked down at myself, realizing that I was virtually naked, with only my under wears protecting me.Oh, my God.I bolted upright, pulling the blanket over my body. That’s when I saw him.. Caleb. His bare chest rising and falling as he lay beside me, eyes closed, his face peaceful in sleep.Panic rushed through me like a storm.What the fuck happened?Just then, memories from the previous night flooded back, hit
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyEight
Back at the office, the fluorescent lights were harsher than normal, stinging my already aching eyes and even head. I gazed at the computer screen, pushing myself to focus on the mound of duties ahead of me. Reports, emails, and follow-ups... They should have been simple distractions, but my thoughts kept wandering. To him. To Caleb.God, get a grip, I muttered within myself, shaking my head slightly. There was no time for anything other than work. I had to shove the events of last night aside. It was the only option yeah?But every time I wrote a sentence or clicked through a file, I felt the tightness between my shoulders. Every time I heard footsteps from the hallway, my heart raced, half expecting Caleb to walk in. I had no idea how I was going to approach him, not after what had transpired or how we had left things."Focus," I whispered under my breath, fiercely typing on my keyboard. You have too much work to get caught up in... A sudden buzz from my desk's office phone in
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyNine
The thought of what had just transpired in Caleb's office kept on rolling around in my thoughts as I made my way back to my desk. My steps were robotic, almost like I wasn’t in control of my body. The way she wrapped herself over him, her eyes nearly shouting, "He’s mine." And the worst part? He didn’t push her away.I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t be thinking like way. But I was. Damn it, I was. What the heck was that? An announcement? Were they... engaged? The way Monica hinted at it, her smug little smirk when she addressed their "future"... it had to imply something. They were getting married, weren’t they?What the Hell was I thinking? Letting a guy, nay, that guy, have his way with me like that. I felt nauseous all over again, like the tequila was still scorching its way through me. I could feel the bile rising in my throat as the recollection of last night played over and over again in my thoughts. I let Caleb... I allowed him... and now, this?I wasn’t thinking. I was inebri
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