Autumn POV:

When my parents open the door, they are faced with a crying mess of their daughter, obviously they are automatically concerned, so they let me inside and sat me down on the couch.

The thing about my parents is that they give me all the time in the world. They don't pressure me into anything, especially talking about problems that I'm having, they will keep a close eye on me when they know something is wrong. But they let me come to them when I'm ready to tell them about those problems.

And this problem was a big problem, so when they let me in, I wasted no time immediately sitting down and explaining why I was upset, from the text I got from Matthew to the idea he proposed to me and me driving off.

When I was done telling them what happened, my dad was furious, he was angry at the fact that some idiot who was supposed to marry his daughter turned out to be a 'fraud' as he called it. And my mom hugged and cried with me, she felt my pain as I let it all out.

                                         *

After I was done crying, I retreated to the kitchen where my mom was already making my favorite food, pasta, only one of the best foods that could cheer me up, even as a little girl.

While I was waiting, my dad offered to go to Matthew's parent's house so he could, and I quote, "Have a few words with them." I refused, saying that it was okay and I just wanted them to leave me alone.

He hugged me once more as he went outside to the backyard to cool off, also while mumbling how Matthew's family have wronged me and so fourth.

As I watched my mom cook, I checked my phone for anything that would distract me from everything. I saw that I had over hundred missed calls from Matthew and a ton of voice mails, but what caught my eye is that I had two missed calls from Damian.

I completely forgot that Damian always calls me after work, and I was so caught up with the meeting with Matthew that I missed his call. He didn't leave any voice messages at all either.

It's fine, maybe I can call him tonight to check in on him and explain what had happened earlier.

As my mom announced that dinner was ready, I slowly but surely walked to the table and sat down at my usual seat, and my dad came from the backyard.

As the bowl of pasta was seated right in front of me, I took the first bite of it. I nodded my head in approval, knowing that my mom's cooking was the best I had ever tasted in my life.

My mom and dad tried to make small talk with me, but I would only give short and dry answers. They know that I'm tired of this marriage ordeal, but they still tried to make an effort to cheer me up. I appreciate the thought of that.

Near the end of dinner, I ask, "Can I spend the night here? I just don't want to be alone"

To this, they say yes, they agree that I need time and that being alone while consuming all the thoughts and emotions in my head is not a good way to cope.

I smile as I think about how caring and open arms my parents are.

Even though I am fully moved out and independent, I still kinda rely on my parents for some things, even as an adult, I don't know everything in the world, that's why I can always turn to my parents for anything.

                                         *

I went back to my apartment and quickly packed an overnight bag. I didn't want to run into anyone, so I made sure to pack the necessary things only.

When I got out of the shower at my parents house, I felt extreme nostalgia, being back in my bedroom, it's all coming down on me.

When I lay down in my bed, I let out a long and tired sign. I know I shouldn't but I listened to the voice messages that Matthew has left me, I just don't get why he feels the need to message me even after I told him constantly to leave me alone.

'Autumn please, pick up'

'I seriously need this for us, don't need selfish'

'I will leave you alone after this'

'It's just one time sex, no big deal'

'I bet you done it before with different guys'

'My parents were right about you'

'You are such a damn whore!'

'Autumn I'm sorry, I didn't mean that'

'Please pick up'

The last message was sent ten minutes ago, while I was in the shower. As his voice messages kept getting more and more aggressive. I didn't know what to think, what is my next move now that Matthew is expecting me to give him a child? What if Matthew never leaves me alone?

Is this going to be my life now for a while? Being harassed until I give in?

No, no way, I refuse to be the center of someone's problem that they created for themselves. Matthew is a full grown man, a functional adult who can make decisions for himself. If he still relies on his parents to do everything for himself and hold his hand throughout everything, then he is not ready for the real world.

If Matthew was really in love with me as he claims, then why would he drop me like a penny, and do what his parents say without any questions? That is the part that angers me.

As I repositioned in bed, I decided that I shouldn't think about this for the rest of the night, noticing how much it has drained me. Maybe after a good night's rest, I can come up with a plan that will get me through this, and hopefully I can overcome this problem.

As I put the events that happen earlier to rest. I suddenly remember that Damian called and I missed it. So I quickly grabbed my phone and pulled up his number.

A smile appeared on my face. After what happened today, all I want right now is to talk about Damian's day and how it went.

As I dialed his number, it rang after a while until he finally picked up. There was some movement in the background but it stopped when he said, "Hello?"

"Hey" I said with excitement "Sorry I didn't pick up, I was... busy with someone" I said with cautious, hoping that he wouldn't ask about the dreadful day I had.

"Okay" Damian replied carelessly.

It was awkward for a few seconds until I asked him, "So how was your day, were you really busy at work?"

"Fine" He said with annoyance.

What was with him today, he was usually happy and passionate about his answer whenever I asked. Maybe he is just tired like I am, I get that.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"What"

"You seem tired, sorry, is this a bad time to call you? I suspect that you were very busy at work"

There was a moment of silence between us, I waited and waited for his response but nothing.

"Damian?" I called out.

"Hmm?" He mumbled.

"Did you hear what I said?" I asked

"Something about your work or whatever"

"No I was" I paused, I didn't know why Damina was acting like this. I have never seen a careless side of him, if he was too tired to speak on the phone with me then why didn't he say so? I would have been completely fine with that. "I was asking if you were too tired to talk right now"

"No Autumn, I'm not" He puffs annoyedly like he doesn't even want to talk.

"Then why are you being so dry right now and not listening to what I am saying?"

"I mean if I didn't pay attention then you could repeat the question right?"

Ouch. That hurt.

"That's not the point Damian, the point is that you were not listening to what I'm asking you, all I ask is if you were tired or not, and if you were then I should have told me" I calmly said.

"Why are you getting so worried about what's happening with my day? As far as I know, I am not obligated to tell you anything" He snapped.

I went silent for a moment, all I ask is how was his day, is that so bad? After the day I had, I was at least expecting a warm welcome from my boyfriend.

"I just wanted to know how your day went" I said quietly.

"I told you it was fine"

I sucked in a shaky breath, "Okay" I said, I didn't give him the chance to respond, if he was going to. I hung up the phone, and placed it on the nightstand.

From there, I lay awake in my bed, until the first tear drop came, from the meeting, to Matthew with his stupid proposal and now Damian being whatever, it all came down on me hard.

I am so drained and exhausted, I haven't felt like this in a while, probably the last time I felt this drained was when I was studying for my college exams.

I sucked in another shaky breath as I tried to contain my cries so that my parents wouldn't get too worried about me again. I hugged an extra pillow I had on the bed and cried in it, and I cried until my head started to hurt.

After I composed myself, I relaxed my head in the pillows as I closed my eyes, wishing I could get over this awful day already and tomorrow would come sooner.

Damian having an attitude for no reason or might there be a reason?

What do you think Matthew might do next?

-Summer Roe