The Road Of Autumn [Interracial/WWBM]✔️

Chapter Eight: Testing Trust

The most splendid moments in life seems to be the most short-lived. The moments of glee are surpassed by a single bit of negativity.

I have always been scrutinized for being confident, independent, headstrong but never stubborn. Stubborn. If the word was ever used to describe me, I was certainly absent at the time. Therefore when the word so easily slipped from Timothy's lips, it actually hurt me.

Why is it that when a woman chooses to guard herself, she is labeled as stubborn, cold, or even rude? Why can't a woman who is admittedly stuck in her selfish ways simply be a woman with a wall?

If Timothy would have asked me to let my guard down, then maybe I would have. I have reluctantly admitted to having a bit of a hesitation when it comes to allowing myself to trust Timothy, but calling me stubborn is a whole other stepping stone; one I certainly tripped over.

"Well if I didn't know any better, I would think that you were zoning out on me, again." Karen teases, plopping beside me on her plush couch.

As much as I wanted to forget the kiss that occurred between Timothy and I, I couldn't. I tried distracting myself with my other projects. That resulted in me thinking about the article I am writing about him.

I tried painting to ease my thoughts- every sketch was of those soft pecans of his.

I even tried calling in sick just to avoid the office, which is a rarity on my part. That too was deemed as a failure.

And when I ran out of ideas, I ran to my sister's. I needed a distraction. I needed my sister's kind words and soft encouragement. I needed a change from Timothy.

I give her a sideways glance, mutely apologizing for my short attention span. This only causes her to giggle before she gives me a small nudge with her shoulders.

"Awe come on... You've been here for like fifteen minutes and have yet to tell me what's going on in that brain of yours."

I slouch further into the love seat.

My brain was finally content with the fifteen-minute distraction Karen offered. The distraction being a very detailed story about her current quarrel with an old friend. Apparently, the friend found it befitting to complain to another coworker about Ryan and his "unruly past". Unbeknownst to the friend, word spreads fast in San Francisco. And when Karen found out, the picture was all but pretty. I now know to never bad mouth Ryan.

A smile tugs at my lips at the simple thought of Karen retelling the story. Her pale cheeks were inflamed with a light crimson; her merely perfectly structured face bundled into a menacing scowl. If you didn't know she that Irish blood runs through her veins before, you would know now.

My smile only lasts another moment before reality lends a careful reminder for the problem at hand.

"It's nothing." I sigh, inwardly hoping she wouldn't push for more.

I am not too fond of being so closed off towards Karen, but I just cannot tell her about Timothy and I. I know what her reaction will be and I am not in the mood for her celebratory squeals. I love Karen, but she would do more harm than good in this situation.

Karen tilts her head to the side clearly unconvinced and unsatisfied with my lie.

"What have I told you about lying to me Autumn?" She scolds, her hazel eyes drilling a hole into mine.

"It's easier this way," I admit, reaching for a pillow. "I mean, I don't know how to tell you." I continue, clutching the sham against my chest.

Karen remains silent. Her gaze still focused on me with hazel eyes determined to find an answer. This silence is soon short-lived upon her dramatic exhale as she scoots closer.