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Chapter ThirtySix
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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
The "EX" Factor Chapter Forty
I straightened my gown for the third time, my fingers quivering slightly as I heard Caleb's footsteps echoing down the corridor. The office had been unoccupied for more than an hour and I had been waiting since then for Caleb.. I could have just gone home since he didn't come out of his office early but somehow, I stayed back, pretending I had some work to finish up. I guess it was just polite to wait. Maybe that is all this was. Or maybe... I brushed the notion aside, biting my lip as I arranged a few papers on my desk, hoping it would calm my anxiety. His words sliced through the silence making me flinch. "Sam.... I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."I froze, sensing the tension between us as a physical force stretching across the distance between us. He spoke casually, as if nothing had happened, but I could hear it. There was a small crack in his voice.. He was trying too hard. I turned to face him, trying to keep my expression neutral, but my heart was racing so fast that I
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyOne
I sat across from Caleb in the dimly lit restaurant, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ease the dull ache that was growing there. Yes, I had come here because he had stated he wouldn't be having the "talk" at the office. My gaze swept across the opulent scene, soaking in the white tablecloths, subdued lighting, and sophisticated furnishings that oozed class. The kind of establishment where folks like me didn't usually hang out.. one that shouted "expensive" and "exclusive." The kind where you could duck into the darkness and keep your eyes out of sight. With his hands pressed together on the table, Caleb leaned forward a little and took a seat opposite me. Though his face was unreadable, it was clear from the strain in his shoulders. I squirmed in my chair uncomfortably, our awkwardness becoming worse by the moment. Since our arrival, all he had said had been the usual greetings, and now I was waiting, waiting for whatever bomb he was about to drop. “Look Sam, I know t
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyTwo
Moving back and forth in my room made my heart race as I thought about my conversation with Caleb. It became clear to me that I had already made up my mind the more I thought about it. I was pulling off this crazy plan to act like I was his girlfriend. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each second echoing my anxiety. I took a deep breath and grabbed my phone, fingers hovering over the screen and then I sent the text, asking if he would be free to meet today.. after a moment, I pressed send. After a short time, Caleb's answer flickered on my screen. "Let's meet up at the nearby café. 3-Pm?"Sounds good" was my quick answer.I felt a twist of anxiety and excitement in my stomach as I made my way to the café. When I got there, Caleb was already sitted at a table by the window, going through his phone with his brows furrowed in concentration.I felt a flutter of nerves at the sight of him.. how was I supposed to act like a couple with him when I could barely breathe around him?I m
The "EX" Factor Chapter FortyThree
In order to hide the fact that her hands were dripping with sweat, Samantha quickly wiped them against her dress as Caleb led her in the direction of the huge oak doors that led to his father's home.She felt the night air was thick, and her heart was beating more loudly than it should have been. In this moment, she made her debut as Caleb's girlfriend, marking the beginning of the charade that they had both chosen to join in. While they were getting closer to the door, she nervously pulled at the hem of her dress, and her breath came out in short pulls all the while."Ready?" When Caleb spoke to her, his voice was soft, and his hand lightly touched her arm, which drew her out of her swirl of thoughts. Although he did not appear to be nervous, there was a firmness in his jaw, which was a sign that he was not as calm as he appeared to be.Through a weak smile, she mumbled, "Ready as I'll ever be," showing her readiness. It was hard for Samantha to ignore the idea that once she entere
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
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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.
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
