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Chapter TwentyFive
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The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentySix
Next morning. My alarm startled me from a restless sleep I didn't even know I had fallen into till now. As I sat up, my heart hammered, the events of last night surged back with a panic like it never left. Disoriented, I looked about and for a moment I couldn't remember where I was. But then the sight of my cute, familiar bedroom steadied me, even if it did not help to calm the strain coiling in my chest.The picture.My breath seized as I recalled the picture in the envelope. Still laying on the nightstand where I had left it. Just what's happening to me? I crossed to the window and peeked outside, kinda expecting to see someone hiding in the shadows, but the scene below was very normal. A few neighbors walked their dogs, and a couple of kids were already on their way to school, their laughs drifting up to me. Everything looked peaceful, quiet, as if I wasn’t being watched, as if I hadn’t gotten that scary message. But I had. And the picture was proof that whoever it was, a
The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentySeven
“I’m done with the flight bookings. Everything’s all set,” Julie said, placing a folder on Tyler’s desk with an indifferent expression.She made sure to keep her tone casual, professional even, but Tyler could sense the tension lingering between them.. He glanced at her briefly, his eyes flicking over the folder before returning to his computer screen, trying to keep the conversation strictly business.The flight to London for the presentation and charity event was important, and Julie had handled the logistics seamlessly, as always. He needed her expertise, and that was the only reason she was still around. Nothing more.Tyler kept his face impassive, refusing to let any flicker of emotion slip through, even as the burning anger he had towards her tugged at the back of his mind. But now, all of that was behind him. Or so he told himself.Julie stood there, hands closed in front of her, her expression as unreadable as always. She also looked committed to behaving as though nothing
The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentyEight
"Okay... which one, which one, which..." I mumbled to myself, narrowing my eyes as I stood before the mirror. My closet had never felt so overwhelming. I ran my fingers over different fabrics, feeling their textures glide against my skin. Tonight I needed the perfect outfit. Something that screamed confidence, elegance, but didn’t take away from the professionalism of the event.The charity auction I had been working on for weeks was finally here. Late-night revisions, the pressure of making every detail perfect.. it was all leading up to tonight.I paused, pulling out a classic black dress. The fabric glowed as it caught the light, sophisticated yet simple. "Maybe this one," I murmured, holding it against my body. But before I could settle on the choice, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. “Annie?” I said, smiling as I recognized the name. My best friend, always with right timing.“Samantha!” Annie’s voice was brimming with excitement, almost vibrating through the ph
The "EX" Factor Chapter TwentyNine
The drive to the venue was silent. A comfortable silence, only interrupted by Caleb’s smooth voice when he complimented me. "You look... stunning," he had said, his words lingering in the air longer than I wanted them to. I could feel his gaze on me from time to time, but I kept my eyes ahead, focusing on the road, the city lights blurring by. My nerves, despite my efforts to remain calm, were starting to build. Tonight was huge. My designs were being showcased for the world to see. For his world to see.Caleb pulled up to the venue, a grand hall befitting his status.. CEO of The Rinders Group. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, each one gleaming under the streetlights, their owners stepping out, dressed in clothes worth more than most people’s rent. Basically, the air was thick with elegance, success, and power. "Here we are," Caleb said, parking the car in an area that appeared virtually set aside for him.People talking, joking, and greeting one another with simpl
The "EX" Factor Chapter Thirty
I rushed out of the hall, my heels echoing on the car park pavement. My thoughts and heart raced as I was trying to comprehend what just happened. Tyler. Here. What the hell? "You look like you've seen a ghost." This familiar voice echoed and I immediately turned towards its direction. Julie. She stood right behind me, staring back at me with a mischievous smirk on her face. Of course. He brought his mistress along. Perfect. "So, he still keeps you around, huh?" My voice was harsh, full of the anger that had been building within me. "I guess some things never change." Her smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of knowing she had upset me. "What can I say love? Some of us simply know how to stay in the game." "What do you want?" I spat, clearly wasn't having whatever drama it was she wanted. "Oh, just checking in to see how you are, sweetie." She paused, "And to be honest, you don't appear to be doing so well." Her laughing echoed around the p
The "EX" Factor Chapter ThirtyOne
"Let me go!" I snapped, wrenching my arm free from Tyler's grip. My pulse raced, emotions rushing through me. Tyler moved back releasing my hands. "Sam, calm down. Please, just let me explain."My brows furrowed in irritation. "Explain?" I let out an humourless laughter. "I don't understand, explain what exactly?" "Sam, I know you don’t want to hear it, but just give me a chance to at least explain, please," he urged, his voice lower now.I gazed at him, my voice shaking with anger. "Explain what please? How you almost killed me? How I lost our child because of you? How you labeled me a slut and tossed divorce papers at me without even asking a single question?" My voice cracked, but I kept back the tears. Not here. Not now.Tyler’s mouth parted, but no words came out."Explain what, Tyler?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the full parking lot. "Why aren’t you saying anything?"He inhaled sharply, taking a step toward me. "I didn’t know you’d be here, Sam. I swear, plus I had no
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."
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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
