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Chapter Twelve
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2024-08-23 22:29:03Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2024-08-24The "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
Last Updated : 2024-08-25The "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
Last Updated : 2024-08-25The "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
Last Updated : 2024-08-25The "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
Last Updated : 2024-08-27The "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
Last Updated : 2024-08-28The "EX" Factor Chapter Nineteen
Rising from my chair, I returned the receiver to its cradle and headed toward Caleb's office. The open office layout did nothing to protect me from the curious eyes of my coworkers following my every action.Though I could feel their stares on me, I didn't give a damn.It wasn't like there was anything going on between us anyway. As I got to his office door, I paused, took in a deep breath to calm myself before knocking. "Come in," He answered, his deep voice echoed from within. As I turned the knob and pulled it open, I felt my palm quivering and heard a slight but obvious squeak. The familiar scent of polished wood and his subdued cologne hit me as soon as I came inside. Caleb stood behind his desk, deep in work on some documents, his brow furrowed.His head snapped up, his gaze sharp but calm and too damn penetrating.“Close the door,” he ordered, not breaking eye contact.I obeyed, the soft click of the door closing behind me sounding final, like a judge’s gavel.I tried to
Last Updated : 2024-09-01The "EX" Factor Chapter Twenty
Tyler Morgan stood in front of his mirror, the silence of his mansion heavy around him. The house that once felt a bit welcoming now felt cold and empty. As he buttoned up his shirt, his mind moved far away, lost in the echo of a voice he couldn’t shake. Annie’s voice. The way she had looked at him, the edge in her tone when she said, "She's left the country, I'm not sure when she'll return." Was it really that bad? Bad enough to make her leave the country? His fingers paused mid-button. He could still hear it.. he disbelief, the judgment in Ann’s words. And what could he say to that? Yes, it was bad. He’d been bad. Very bad to her. He knew that now, but it was too late. The image of her was still so clear in his mind.. the way she used to stand in this very room, her laughter filling the space, making it feel like a home instead of this hollow shell. And he’d taken it for granted. Taken her for granted. “How could I have been so blind?” The marriage e
Last Updated : 2024-09-01
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The "EX" Factor Chapter Hundred
The grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, the sound of champagne flutes clinking and murmured conversation filling the air. Samantha stood near the gallery's exhibit, her sleek black gown hugging her frame as she nodded politely to the guests admiring her work. Tonight was supposed to be about her achievements, a celebration of how far she’d come. But the unease brewing in her chest said otherwise. “Breathe, Sam,” Ann whispered beside her, leaning in with a teasing grin. “You’ve already got half the room in awe. Just enjoy it.” Samantha managed a small smile, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. “Easier said than done.” “Relax. I’m here for moral support. Plus, there’s an open bar,” Ann added with a wink before sauntering off. Samantha turned her attention back to a potential buyer in front of her, plastering on a professional smile. She was mid-conversation when she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure at the entrance. Daniel. Her heart gav
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyNine
I stared at my laptop's glowing screen, pretending to concentrate on the email drafts in front of me. The gallery's most recent collection had been a hit; the evaluations were coming in, and new opportunities were opening up. But no matter how hard I tried to focus on my work, my mind kept wandering back to the disaster my life had become. I groaned, leaned back in my chair, and ran my hand through my hair. What'm I doing? The notion rang louder than usual, filling the silence around me. It was more than simply one thing. It was everything. Tyler. Caleb. Daniel. Each name yanked on a different part of my heart, leaving it raw and throbbing. My fingers tapped restlessly on the desk as I thought of Caleb. The way he approached Daniel and me at the restaurant, all smiles and nice words, like if he wasn't purposefully sowing mayhem in my life. I'd repeated that moment too many times, analyzing every gaze and measured pause. Caleb was not just a thorn in Tyler's side; he wa
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyEight
"Caleb, could you please stop randomly visiting my gallery," I hissed, barely able to keep the anger out of my voice as I turned to face him. His presence loomed in the doorway, hands carelessly tucked into his coat pockets as if he deserved to be there."I've already told you we were done. I no longer want anything to do with you. "Do you not understand that?" My remarks came out faster than I wanted, but I was done with his games.Caleb inclined his head slightly, a sarcastic smirk creeping over his lips. "You don't mean that, Samantha.""Yes, I do." I took a step back, crossed my arms to stabilize myself. "What we had is over. Stop showing up uninvited. Stop phoning me. "Just... stop."He laughed quietly, sending shivers up my spine. "Unfortunately, I don't take orders, especially not from you."His sudden shift in tone was subtle but noticeable. The charm he had always relied on had vanished, replaced by something darker.I swallowed, attempting to hold my ground. "This is not h
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetySeven
The room was tight, with that smothering hush that comes only after bad news. Tyler sat at the head of the long, polished table in the conference room, his mouth clenched, his gaze fixed on the financial predictions on the screen. The numbers did not deceive. They formed a dismal picture that he couldn't ignore. "Can someone explain to me how the Hartwells managed to undercut us again?" His voice was sharp, but beyond the rage was tiredness... a man breaking at the seams. Across the table, his executive team exchanged anxious looks, with no one eager to respond. "Sir," one of the younger analysts finally said, "it appears they've secured a significant investment from overseas." It provided them with the liquidity to offer better conditions to Smith Corporation. Tyler threw his fist on the table, rattling the glasses of water in front of them. "And we hadn't seen this coming? "How did we miss this?" The head of market research admitted they did not have timely access to the
The "EX" Factor Chapter OneHundredNinetySix
When I answered Daniel's call, his warm voice immediately relieved some of the tension in my chest. "Samantha," he said smoothly. "I was hoping you'd be free for dinner tonight." Dinner? I paused, looking at my desk, which was stacked with paperwork. However, burying myself in work hasn't done much to quiet the noise in my head lately. "Dinner sounds great," I remarked, my tone lighter than I felt. "Perfect," he responded. "I'm in the Juniper Room. It's calm and private... one of my favorites. Do you want me to come pick you up? The offer caught me off surprise; it was a simple but considerate gesture. "Oh, no, it's fine," I responded immediately. "I am still at the gallery, but I will drive myself. "I need the drive anyway." There was a beat of silence before he spoke again, his tone curious. “You sure everything’s okay?” “Absolutely,” I lied, forcing a smile even though he couldn’t see me. “Just been a long day, that’s all.” He didn’t push, thankfully, and after con
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyFive
The soothing hum of my gallery filled the air as I sipped my coffee, my limbs working on autopilot as I placed the day's new items. I hadn't had time to catch my breath since yesterday's press frenzy.Everyone was still talking about their collaboration with Daniel's company. I should have been overjoyed, but instead I felt a peculiar heaviness. Maybe it was Ann's teasing call last night, or the countless queries about Daniel that flooded my inbox this morning. Or perhaps it was the familiar tug on my chest. The one who said Tyler's name when I didn't want to hear it. I shook the notion away and concentrated on the painting in front of me, changing the angle on the easel. My gallery, Artistry Heights, was my haven. Nothing could affect me here, or so I thought. The bell from the front door shocked me. I turned to greet the customer, but my heart dropped as I saw him. Tyler. He stood just inside the door, his tall figure rigid and his jaw set in an unsettling way that ma
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyFour
I extended my arms above my head, wincing as my back protested the hours I'd spent crouched over my laptop. The quiet hum of the city filtered through the window, a constant reminder of the life that still thrived beyond Ann's apartment. The room was dim save for the brightness of my screen and the digital clock in the corner, which read 12:43 AM. My workspace was chaotic, with half-empty coffee cups, sticky notes with reminders, and a stack of sketches that needed to be finalized for an upcoming gallery assignment. I needed a distraction. The option was to let my thoughts drift back to Tyler. To Julia. Hello to everyone. God, I had been willing to give him another chance. Despite his aunt's harsh remarks and the mountains of baggage between us, I was prepared to try. But he'd shattered that fragile relationship with a truth I couldn't ignore: he was still sleeping with her. The notion twisted in my chest, harsh and cruel. I shook my head and concentrated on the image, r
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyThree
"I'm going to kill you for this," I shouted into my phone as I paced near the door to Artistry Heights Gallery, my small haven that felt too huge to fill tonight. The clean area shone under warm golden lighting, with every nook perfectly displaying the handpicked designs I'd spent months creating. "I'm sorry!" Ann's voice crackled across the line. "There was traffic, and I had to stop for gas…" "You know I hate showing up to these things alone." I adjusted the neckline of my midnight blue gown, the fabric stroking across my skin as if it could soothe the anxiety churning inside me. "Please hurry up. "I am starting to feel like a stray dog at a purebred gala." "You'll be fine," Ann reassured me, her voice full of false confidence. "Just channel that CEO energy you always bragging about. "You got this!" Before I could respond, the call went dead. Typical Ann. I sighed, squared my shoulders, and walked into the center of the networking event. The gallery was humming with act
The "EX" Factor Chapter NinetyTwo
Tyler slammed the conference room door behind him, sending reverberations through the office's quiet hallways. His chest heaved as he leaned against the wall, placing his hands against his temples. The meeting with Smith Corporation had been disastrous. Every word exchanged seemed like another brick crumbling from the flimsy wall that held his firm together. The Hartwell family. The Hartwells were circling like vultures, and Tyler's stomach churned at Smith Corp.'s shaky commitment to their alliance. He could feel the weight of each decision on his shoulders. If they lost the Smith deal, it would cause a domino effect, and he wasn't sure RindCorp would survive. His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he took it out, expecting a message from Ben. Instead, there was an email with a synopsis of their present financial situation. Tyler opened it, but the figures blurred together, leaving him unable to focus. He exhaled sharply, his throat tightening as frustration clawed at him. "Mr
