Trust

I have a serious problem trusting people.  I'd like to say that I've gotten better over the years - but it's gotten worse.  I'd say that out of everyone I know I only trust four people - and even then I doubt them sometimes.

Anyway, what makes it continuously harder for me to trust people - is when there are (drum roll please) rumours.

Despite getting really annoyed at my Dad whenever he calls me gullible, when it comes to these kind of situations I really am.  If someone puts a seed of doubt into my head about how much I can trust someone else - it festers away at my mind.

So here is (in a gist) what has happened:
1) 3 is going to spread a rumour about me and 4
2) Sorry, what?  Why?
1) To upset you.  Given your history with 4.  They think that it will be funny.  Don't let them win.  They make up stuff about you to make you unhappy.  Show that it doesn't effect you.

2) I've been told that you were going to spread a rumour to upset me.  What's your side of the story?
3) I would never do that.  I was defending you.  I've been really good to you.  I'm now not speaking to you.  

 Obviously, that wording is a generalisation - not to be taken as fact - but that is the general gist of things.

I feel incredibly frustrated.  I've been trying really hard to move on and focus and be positive and then things like this leap back into life and throw me all off balance.

Ultimately, I have a request.  Please, stop talking about me and my business behind my back.  Yes, you might be trying to do the right thing - but it still hurts.  My business is my own to deal with.  Occasionally I will want help, but when I do I will say.  I'm trying desperately hard to lay things to rest but it's just not happening because all people want to do is bring it all up again.
I don't know who to believe any more.  And fair enough, that is quite insulting - but I'm not deliberately trying to mistrust someone.  I'm just stuck in a little whirlpool which I had no intention of getting in to.