The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 150

**Chapter 150**

“Is the food really arriving this quickly?”

Maxwell Walker raised an eyebrow, a curious mix of surprise and intrigue dancing across his features. His gaze flicked toward his assistant, Autumn Lopez. She stood there, her entire demeanor seemingly frozen, caught in a whirlwind of her own emotions. Was it anticipation? Anxiety? The lines between the two blurred in her mind, leaving her in a state of confusion.

Thoughts of Owen Bennett swirled in her head, tangled with the cryptic remarks he had made earlier. Just as she was about to untangle them, a sharp knock on the door jolted her back to the present.

“Mr. Bennett?”

Autumn exclaimed, her voice betraying her shock as she swung the door open.

*Thump.* Her heart raced wildly, pounding against her ribs like a frantic drum, echoing the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her.

In perfect synchrony, she and Maxwell turned to face the entrance, just in time to see Owen stepping into the room, his presence commanding attention.

Clad in a sleek black suit that hugged his frame perfectly, Owen looked impeccably polished, his hair styled with precision. Yet, the loose tie around his neck suggested a relaxed demeanor, a stark contrast to the composed persona she was accustomed to.

Maxwell sprang to his feet, a burst of energy radiating from him despite the age difference between them. In the cutthroat realm of business, respect wasn’t merely a product of age; it was earned through status and reputation.

With a sense of urgency, Maxwell approached Owen, extending his hand with a slight bow, his voice infused with unexpected delight. “Mr. Bennett! What a delightful surprise to see you here!”

A subtle smile tugged at Owen’s lips as he accepted the handshake, his gaze shifting to Autumn, who stood nearby, her heart fluttering at the sight of him.

“This isn’t mere chance. I’m here to collect someone, and I thought I might as well enjoy a meal while I’m at it. You don’t mind, do you, Maxwell?”

Maxwell’s eyes followed Owen’s to settle on Autumn, and a flicker of shock crossed his features, quickly morphing into a broad grin.

In this industry, appearances could be deceiving. Maxwell had no inkling of the history or connection between Autumn and Owen, but one thing was glaringly evident: Owen’s presence elevated Autumn from a mere business prospect to someone worthy of admiration.

After all, there was a monumental difference between the Bennett Group investing in Autumn’s company and the CEO himself coming to personally escort her.

Years of experience in the corporate arena had sharpened Maxwell’s ability to read between the lines.

“Of course, I don’t mind at all! Having you join me is a true privilege, Mr. Bennett. I’ll be bragging about this encounter for at least the next six months, haha!”

Catching the underlying tone in Maxwell’s words, Owen replied, “This is a private matter. I would appreciate it if you could keep this under wraps, Maxwell.”

“I heard you’ve been exploring an amusement park project lately. How’s that progressing?”

Instantly understanding the unspoken communication, Maxwell shook his head, feigning concern. “Not quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. My team is capable, but they’re dragging their feet. I’m worried that if they don’t pick up the pace, someone else might snatch the project right from under us.”

Owen’s smile widened, radiating confidence. “How could that happen? Your judgment is impeccable, Maxwell. I have faith that your team is top-notch. The project will turn out just fine, so take a breath and relax.”

Maxwell’s face lit up with genuine appreciation.

“I’ll take that as a good omen, then.”

“Alex, fetch another menu. Mr. Bennett is our esteemed guest today, and we must ensure he has an exceptional dining experience.”

Alex nodded in agreement, about to leave when Owen interjected.

“No need for that. My tastes align closely with Ms. Lopez’s. We can stick to the current order.”

Maxwell’s eyes sparkled at Owen’s words, and he burst into hearty laughter. “That’s perfect! Autumn ordered a generous spread and was fretting about finishing it all. With your help, Mr. Bennett, she won’t have to worry anymore.”

Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he shot a look at Alex and chuckled, “Oh, I just remembered some dietary restrictions I neglected to mention. Alex, why don’t you accompany me?”

Without waiting for a response from either Owen or Autumn, he ushered his assistant out of the private room.

Suddenly, the space was left with just Autumn and Owen.

Autumn grasped the subtext of the conversation that had just unfolded, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her, making it difficult to meet his gaze.

“What’s the matter?”

Owen was fully aware of her shyness, yet he chose not to acknowledge it directly.

He sauntered over casually, taking her cup and pouring himself a glass of water.

“Hey—”

Autumn instinctively grabbed his hand, halting him in his tracks.

As he finally caught her attention, a flicker of amusement danced in Owen’s eyes.

“Hmm?”

From her perspective, it appeared as if he had his arm around her, and she felt the warmth of his presence.

Yet, she hesitated to react. After all, if he had merely rested his arm there, acknowledging it might make her seem overly sensitive.

Doing her best to ignore the intimacy of his gesture, Autumn straightened her posture, creating a slight distance between them.

Owen feigned ignorance of her subtle movement.

“I was finalizing a deal.”

His response was vague, offering both clarity and ambiguity.

Autumn’s mind raced with questions about why he had chosen to appear at her dinner with Maxwell.

His words could imply he was simply nearby or that there was something more significant at play.

A wave of fatigue washed over her.

But this was Owen Bennett. No matter how intensely her curiosity burned, she refrained from pressing him for more information.

Deep down, she feared she already knew the answer, but she was too afraid to acknowledge it.

The disparity in their social standings made her hesitant to delve deeper.

After all, the more she probed, the greater the risk of emotional turmoil.

Following her tumultuous experience with Mars Wright, Autumn had resolved to lower her expectations of men.

She recognized Owen’s many admirable qualities, but that didn’t guarantee he was the right fit for her.

Owen observed the subtle shift in Autumn’s expression, his eyes darkening with unspoken thoughts, yet he chose to remain silent.

There was no rush; they had all the time in the world.

In this moment of quiet tension, Autumn stood at the crossroads of her emotions, grappling with the weight of her past and the allure of an uncertain future. The presence of Owen, with all his charm and complexity, stirred a mix of excitement and trepidation within her. She could feel the remnants of her heart’s armor beginning to crack, revealing a vulnerability she had long since buried. The playful banter between them, charged with unspoken feelings, created an electric atmosphere that both thrilled and terrified her. As she fought to maintain her composure, she realized that the walls she had built around her heart were beginning to tremble, hinting at the possibility of connection she had long denied herself.

Owen, too, found himself navigating the delicate dance of emotions. His intentions remained cloaked in ambiguity, yet the warmth of their shared moments hinted at something deeper than mere business. Each glance exchanged, each teasing word, served to bridge the chasm between their disparate worlds. As they sat together, the weight of their histories loomed large, yet the promise of something new flickered like a distant star. In that private space, amidst the laughter and the lingering tension, both Autumn and Owen began to glimpse the light of understanding and acceptance, suggesting that perhaps, just perhaps, they could find peace in each other’s company. With the uncharted territory of their relationship stretching before them, they stood ready to embrace whatever came next, hearts open to the possibility of love.