The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 45

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace** – by Rohan Verma

“Mars, please! Don’t do anything stupid!”

A cluster of his friends surged forward, worry etched across their faces as they tried to restrain him. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each of them acutely aware of the precarious situation unfolding before them.

The Bennett Group was a behemoth in the industry, a powerhouse that dwarfed their own ambitions.

If only Mars had been sober, perhaps he could have navigated this moment with the finesse they all knew he was capable of. After all, Cloudbreak Corporation was flourishing under his stewardship, and they had faith in his ability to engage with the formidable representatives of the Bennett Group.

But in his current state—completely and utterly intoxicated—the potential for catastrophe loomed ominously. What if he accidentally blurted something inappropriate or, even worse, lost his lunch right there in their pristine lobby before he could even make a proper introduction? The fallout would be monumental!

“Don’t hold me back!” he bellowed defiantly, his voice echoing off the walls.

“I have to go today!”

Drunk Mars was overflowing with a bravado that was both misplaced and alarming.

“Who does Autumn Lopez think she is? Just because she signed with Mistveil Group, does she really think I’m some kind of freeloader?”

“I’m going to secure this deal with the Bennett Group today and prove to Autumn Lopez that I’m not a loser!”

His friends exchanged incredulous glances, a mix of concern and disbelief washing over them.

Having known Mars for years, they were painfully aware of the tangled web of emotions he shared with Autumn. It was hard to fathom that, in his inebriated state, he was now shouting her name with such fervor.

What was happening here?

Was this a classic case of love morphing into loathing?

“Mars, buddy, you’re completely wasted. Why don’t we get you a room so you can sleep this off?”

“Yeah, or we can just take you home. You mentioned wanting to see Autumn, right? How about we do that instead?”

But Mars, too far gone to comprehend their words, felt the name “Autumn Lopez” resonate deep within him, igniting a fire of determination.

With a sudden burst of energy, he shoved aside the friends attempting to guide him away, a cocky grin spreading across his face. “I’m going to see Autumn! And when I land that contract with the Bennett Group, I’ll shove it right in her face!”

“Okay, okay, shove it in Autumn’s face. But let’s get you home first, alright?”

The group tried everything to reason with him—pleading, pulling, coaxing—but their efforts were in vain.

A drunk man is as stubborn as a mule, and Mars was proving to be no exception.

He flailed wildly, creating chaos among his friends as they nearly collided with one another in their attempts to corral him.

After a few rounds of bumping heads and stepping on each other’s toes, some of them finally relented.

“Forget it. What’s the point of arguing with a drunk? Let’s just take him to the Bennett Group.”

“He won’t stop otherwise.”

The others hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. “But is it really that easy to just walk into the Bennett Group?”

“We’ll drive him by the building, let him see it, and then bring him back. I’ll text Lydia on the way. We can leave him with her and head home.”

The suggestion seemed to resonate with the group.

They looked back at Mars, who was a disheveled mess, with a mix of amusement and disgust.

“Let’s go.”

They hoisted him into the car, their efforts tinged with exasperation. As they watched Mars heave and create a scene, their expressions of disgust deepened.

Despite his drunken state, Mars had an uncanny ability to sense the mood around him. Picking up on their disdainful looks only fueled his arrogance further. “Don’t you dare look at me like that! Once I sign this contract with the Bennett Group, you’ll all be nothing!”

“I’ll be walking all over every single one of you!”

The air in the car grew thick with the stench of alcohol. The guy in the passenger seat rolled down the window, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, finally quieting Mars.

A collective sigh of relief escaped the group.

“Are we still heading to the Bennett Group?”

The driver hesitated, ready to turn around, when suddenly, a hand shot out from the backseat and wrapped around his neck. “Driver, take us to the Bennett Group. Now. Don’t waste my time. I need to sign that contract with Mr. Bennett!”

Everyone fell silent, their expressions frozen in disbelief.

The driver clenched his jaw, pressed down on the gas, and sped toward the Bennett Group.

Meanwhile, Autumn Lopez had just stepped out of her car, an insulated container in hand, contemplating whether to head straight inside to ask the front desk to contact Owen Bennett or to call him first. Just then, the harsh screech of tires shattered the calm.

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