Fractured Bonds, A Life Lent

[fracturedbondsalifelent]

Chapter 2

𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔦𝔰 𝔖𝔲𝔫𝔯𝔦𝔰𝔢 𝔟𝔶 𝔑𝔬𝔯𝔞𝔥 𝔍𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢 𝔟𝔶 𝔑𝔢𝔬𝔫𝔦

The event ended on a high note or at least Derek thought so. Victor certainly seemed pleased as he talked with all their clients who were present. 

When the event wrapped up, Derek went back to his car. The drive home was relaxing, almost tranquil. The dimly lit street lights blurred together as he sped in the empty streets. His radio was humming lightly and his mind was at ease while he pulled into his parking spot and loosened his tie before getting out and heading to the elevator. He rode up to the fourth floor and unlocked his apartment. The first thing he noticed when he got in was that Audrey’s shoes were neatly stacked by the door. She must have gotten to his apartment after work. He lived closer to her office than she did. They didn’t live together but she had a key to his place and he had a toothbrush hers. 

Derek quietly moved around the apartment to get ready for bed. He quickly showered and changed before slipping into bed next to Audrey. He wrapped his arms around her sleeping form and snuggled close to her while she was snoring softly.

They had been together for a few years. They had met in the coffee shop that Derek used to go to by his old firm. They were both working on their laptops and would sit at the same table. He asked her out some time after months of working silently together.

Audrey was not like anyone Derek had ever dated before. She wasn’t obsessed with the fact that he worked with Victor. Something that seems to be so fleeting in their stuck-up town. 

In fact, Audrey had a career path that was rather impressive. She didn’t go to college right away. She went to volunteer in the Peace Corps after high school. She was first assigned to Cameroon, where she spent time as an education volunteer before being reassigned to Kenya, where she worked as a youth in development volunteer. She loved her time in Africa and connected with the people she worked with and helped serve. 

When she returned to her hometown in Pennsylvania. She was offered a job with a non-profit organization that works with domestic violence victims. She worked as an advocate for victims. She wanted to be part of a safe haven for victims and their families. It was soul-crushing hearing the stories of so many victims, but it reinforced something in her. She took this job while going to college full- time and it made her see things through a different lens. Audrey was not like most advocates; her blonde hair and soft face gave her something that just made people feel safe around her. Coupled with her short athletic stature let people know she was not to be messed with. She stayed with the nonprofit all through college and was offered a job at an NGO that had a mission to stop animal cruelty  in Miami, where she had met Derek. She’s been there ever since, and she loved every second of it.

Derek thought that Audrey was just amazing, but he did not put her on a pedestal. He knew that she was too good for him. She was out there changing lives and playing superwoman, and he wasn’t.

The next morning, Derek woke up first despite getting a few hours of sleep. He ran his hand through his messy brown hair and started to brew coffee for Audrey and himself.  Then he started making her favorite breakfast. Avocado toast with yogurt and granola that they meal prep together. By then, Audrey had stumbled out of the bedroom wearing Derek’s T-shirt and her luscious blonde hair pulled into a messy bun.

Derek cracked a small smile and handed her the mug of coffee he had prepared just to her liking.

“Morning, gorgeous,” he said to her.

Audrey groaned and rolled her eyes. “Morning to you, too,” she said, coming over to kiss Derek’s cheek. “You got home late,” she added while taking a sip of her coffee with a smile she hid behind the mug.

“Event ran late,” Derek said as he pushed the breakfast he prepared for her.

“Oh,” Audrey said as she sat at the island in his kitchen, “meet any big shots?”

Derek shrugged, “I guess,” he said, “I mean, that is what this firm deals with.”

“And that is why you belong in this firm,” she said, “you are more than capable,” she said warmly, “plus you know your stuff. You know how to explain it even when it feels like another language to most people,” she added.

“You’re right,” he said with a shrug, sitting next to her on the barstool and putting his hand on her thigh. “It’s not like I am sitting next to Wonder Woman,” he teased.

“If you didn’t make my favorite breakfast and the perfect coffee, I’d push you, boy,” Audrey laughed.

Derek just grinned and pulled Audrey into a kiss as he relaxed. “I can’t sit long; I have to start getting ready to look over an account for work.”

Audrey nodded, “Don’t overwork yourself, okay? Next weekend, will you come over and we will be completely lazy ? I know you need it even if you don’t want to admit it,” she said with concern.

Derek nodded, “sounds like a date,” he said, “but I am buying the snacks,” he teased.

Audrey laughed as they enjoyed a relaxed morning before Derek had to go into the office. It was nice to see him genuinely relax while he transitioned into his new job. He may hide from the world, but she knew. She knew that he was struggling to fit into the new world that he was hand-picked for. She was just glad that Victor seemed like a cool boss and not someone who used him to get ahead in their own career. She’s had that in her own career, but she never let it slide too far.

+++

David and his wife were enjoying their morning after a long night of socializing. He met Vienna in his final year of law school when he was at an Ivy League club dinner. These events were invite-only or by membership. They were both invited to this dinner for different reasons. Vienna was brought up in this high-life kind of society. The invitation-only dinners, the eloquence of the finer things, were introduced to her by her parents. It almost felt like a no-brainer that she’d get an invitation to this dinner. It was her court. The ever-seeming social scene was hers to belong to. She deserved it because she knew the game. Of course, Vienna dressed up for the occasion. Her blonde hair was styled into a sleek bun that highlighted her sharp facial features as she slithered around like a serpent, eyeing her new prey. She wore a pale green strapless dress with gold accents that seemed to wash her out with her pale complexion , but in the dim lighting, it worked to her advantage as she stood out. Of course, she wore statement earrings, the only part of her outfit that drew any sort of attention intentionally.

She was holding court with some alumni. Sizing them up to see if they were suitable for her. She hadn’t noticed David yet. David was talking to some people about an internship.  

Unlike Derek’s teasing, David knew how to clean up nicely. He chose a three-piece charcoal suit that contrasted slightly against his tan skin  with a white shirt. He knew that being invited to this club dinner would open doors for his career, so he had to look the part. He had it dry-cleaned to look as crisp as possible. Unlike most of the people who were invited, David did not come from money. He and Derek were middle-class at best. They were comfortable and never had to worry about much. Unlike Vienna, who was brought up wealthy. Her parents adored her as their golden girl and would show her off as such. She was taught to perform before she could understand what she was performing for.

David caught Vienna’s eye that night, so she did some asking around. Everyone whom she talked to could see his potential, and she started plotting. He seemed like the perfect up-and-coming man for her image, and she had to play it just right. She did not approach him that night; instead, she watched him from afar. She studied him subtly and took note of what he’d have to change.

Their first official meeting was at a fundraiser. She wore a silk ivory blouse tucked into tailored black slacks and a pointed heel. She wore her hair in a sleek, low  ponytail and an ivory clutch. She grabbed a glass of champagne and made her way to David, who was talking with a group of recent graduates, and smiled as she stood next to him.

“Hi, we haven’t officially met, yet I am Vienna, Vienna Caine,” she said with a smile that showed just a little teeth as she stuck her hand out to shake David’s

“David,” David said, “David Casey,” he added, “do you go to Dartmouth?" he asked as the people he was with looked at Vienna skeptically.

“Oh sweetie, no. I am too pretty for law school,” Vienna said coolly as she firmly shook his hand. “No, my parents are philanthropists, and I am the representative.”

David nodded as he listened. “Interesting,” he said to her, “Well, I guess having the daughter of philanthropists show up to a fundraiser is appropriate,” he spoke as he smoothed his tie and shifted his weight between his feet.

“I am doing more than being my parents' representative. I advise them, and I get a feel for the younger scene. I mean, look around you, see people who're closer to our age building the future.”

“Interesting observation, Ms. Caine,” David said, “but we still need folks like your parents.”

“We do,” she agreed, “but there is a time and place for all.”

They spent the night delicately talking around subjects. She’d let her touches linger as she observed how David took her to task on some of her subtle conversational pieces. David was perfect, and he didn’t even know what for.

They started dating almost immediately. Intellectually, she never had a partner who was on her level, if not better. But she’d never tell David that. But he seemed reluctant to talk about his family. Almost like he was hiding something from her. How could a man like David possibly have secrets to hide? He reads like an open book, but that seemed like a simple miscalculation on her part.

When she finally convinced him to bring her back to his mother’s house for Thanksgiving after a year of dating, she finally understood why he kept this hidden. Derek came from a suburban family with a single mother and neighbors who were a little too close to them. Particularly, David’s friend Derek was grossly close for two men who grew up together. She was not close to her own sister, and that is her blood.  

“You and Derek seem awfully close,” she noted when they retired to his childhood bedroom after the family dinner with the neighbors.

“He’s like my brother. His parents are practically my parents,” David said nonchalantly.

“Weird,” she said as she brushed out her hair. “My family was not that close with our neighbors,” she added. They weren’t even that nice to the hired help around the house.

“Not every family is the same, Vienna,” Derek sighed.

“Are you saying that I don’t know that?” She asked, whipping around to face David with her eyes blazing

“I am simply pointing out a fact. You said that your parents weren’t close to their neighbors. I am saying that my mom is” he said.

She sighed, “whatever,” she muttered, “but still Derek seemed too excited to meet me and to hear about your life after law school. Don’t you find that weird?”

“Derek is my best friend whom I’ve spent my childhood, teenagehood, and college days with. I am now living in New Hampshire, while he moved to Miami. That is a far distance to go from seeing each other every day. You’re asking me if I find my best friend’s interest in my life to be weird?” David asked, raising an eyebrow

“I am just saying. Jessica is my best friend, but she wouldn’t ask so many questions.”

“Well, Jessica and Derek are different people,” he said

“Do you think your mom liked me? Or Derek’s parents.”

David shrugged, “They don’t dislike you,” he said

Vienna took it. These people were beneath her anyway. She did not need their approval all that much to solidify her social standing. But if she were to marry David, as their relationship seemed to be heading, she needed to at least win David’s mom over. She seemed like the most important. That seemed dreadful, though; she had no ambition, unlike her son. She’s been a nurse for twenty-seven years and didn’t think about going back to school to be a doctor? To get out of this house and into something that is fit for someone like David. Then there was Derek, who was like an annoying gnat that buzzed around her David.

[fracturedbondsalifelent]

Chapter 1

𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔤 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔦𝔰 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔑𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱 𝔚𝔢 𝔐𝔢𝔱 𝔟𝔶 𝔏𝔬𝔯𝔡 ℌ𝔲𝔯𝔬𝔫

Derek looked up from his computer, and the rain outside had stopped. The slight distraction was gone; now he could focus on the campaign. The Stenson marketing campaign was taking longer than he expected. He still had to swing home and change for the banquet his firm was holding that night. He hated these events; before this job, he spent maybe a hundred dollars on suits for work. That was all before he got the job a month ago as a marketing executive-slash-account strategist. Before, he could get away with his boyish good looks and his cheap suits, but now he couldn’t. He was being watched by the city’s elite and his boss. 

His boss Victor Kane picked him personally from the small firm where he had worked previously. He was just trying to stay under the radar. Everyone in the corporate and marketing world knew Kane and Associates. So when Victor Kane reached out with a job proposal, Derek took two days to decide. Derek remembered when he was discussing it with his best friend, David Casey, in a darkly lit bar with black tile floors and high bar stools. 

“Come on, you want to be mediocre all your life, Der?” David asked over his beer. They were tucked into the booth farthest away from other patrons but could still hear the chatter faintly as they talked. 

“I just don’t want more attention,” Derek said with a shrug. 

David chuckled. That was Derek. Even when they were kids, Derek never liked making waves. It made sense when, as adults and with Derek’s secret.

+++

Growing up, David spent a lot of time at Derek’s house. They played on the same Little League team. Back when the city seemed brighter in the eyes of children. David’s mom worked doubles at the hospital. His father died before he was born and his mother moved away from her family a long time ago. Derek’s parents basically adopted him. The boys were inseparable and it didn’t help that they were next door neighbors. It was always one big sleepover for the boys. The Galloways moved to the neighborhood from Kentucky when Derek was a baby. David’s mom lived next door because the rent was cheap and it was a neighborhood she didn’t have to worry about for the safety of her infant son. 

+++

The hospital was blindingly white and bright and smelled like antiseptic. Derek was brought there during their high school baseball game. David didn’t even see what had happened. He was too focused on the game, he was in the field on third base while David played in the outfield. Both Derek’s parents were in the bleachers, cheering both boys proudly when Derek collapsed, clutching his stomach. Everything stopped for a moment as they all watched in slow motion  the brunette crying out in pain while holding his stomach.  In a split second, Derek’s mother was rushing to the field screaming in horror, while her husband, who was close behind her, was already on the phone with the paramedics. Derek’s mother turned to the coach with a frantic voice and informed him that David would be pulled out of the game and accompany them to the hospital. Something in the tone of her voice and the way her face twitched left no room for arguments.

Derek was being loaded into the ambulance, and her husband was sitting with Derek since he was the more composed of the two. In the car with Derek’s mom, David texted his own mother to tell her what had happened during the game. When David and Derek’s mom arrived at the emergency room, Derek was already moved to a room. They sat on the uncomfortable chairs, David still in his baseball uniform as the hours ticked by in a heavy silence, with David’s mom occasionally checking in on her son and his friend’s parents. Finally, close to midnight, a doctor called for Derek’s parents. David was barely awake but perked up slightly, fixing his green eyes to where the doctor and Derek’s parents were talking not too far from him thinking he was asleep and talking freely about the doctor’s findings.

The doctor sighed and looked at Derek’s mother, “Your son... has a rare condition,” he started, looking from Derek’s stone-faced father to his barely composed mother. “At the age of fourteen, your son has started to experience some discomfort, more than the normal teenage boy, because your son was born with both reproductive systems,” he explained.

Derek’s mother looked at the doctor blankly, her eyes flickering to something before settling on widening  shock. “So my son... Does my son have a uterus? Like he could become pregnant later in life, is that what you are telling us?” she asked in clear disbelief. 

The doctor looked at the distraught woman and nodded, “Yes, that is correct,” he said, “but on the bright side, he wouldn’t need surgery or anything. He could function as a male. His normal day-to-day life would not be disturbed.” 

Derek’s mom chuckled a little out of bitterness, “Well, thank god for that,” she said sarcastically, “He’s a medical anomaly, but at least he won’t need any surgery, "she spat while Derek’s father moved to comfort his wife.

 “But why did he collapse today?” Derek’s father asked, changing the subject back to Derek’s care 

The doctor looked at the couple. “he collapsed because his body started a kind of menstruation cycle. It is not the same as biological females, where the uterine lining sheds every month, and they bleed. His sheds, yes, but because his biology is different, it causes immense cramping,” the doctor tried to explain, “and he was slightly dehydrated. Derek will be totally fine.”

Derek’s father nodded and took his wife in his arms as she looked more hysterical with each passing word.

“Forgive her, this news is not something anyone could prepare for,” he said.

David was stunned by bits of conversation he could hear. Did he hear right? His best friend, his little brother could have a baby? How did he miss this? They have all their classes together and  he was fine at lunch and was even excited to play against their school’s rival. Did he need to remind his friend to drink more water? Plus Derek wasn’t acting like his mom did when she was on his period. Was his best friend really suffering all day, and he didn’t know? He looked at his mom, who was doing her rounds. He studied her for a good long while. Maybe she could explain what he heard later when they were alone

He was staying overnight while she was going home soon. Derek would want a friendly face when his parents told him this. 

David’s mother agreed to let Derek stay overnight with Derek’s parents. She even promised to call the school first thing in the morning, before she went to bed, to let them know David would not be there that day. 

The next morning, Derek’s parents told him what the doctor told them. At first, Derek thought that they were messing with him. He looked to David to see if it was all a big prank. They weren’t messing with him, and the dawning horror set in. 

“What do you mean I can have a baby? How is that even possible?” he asked “I’m not a freak, I'm me.” He said

“Derek Galloway you are not a freak, honey you are special” Derek’s mother soothed “But I’m not gay! Well maybe I don’t know” he said, frustration creeping into his features as he tugged at the blanket in the uncomfortable hospital bed

“That doesn’t mean that any of us love you any less,” Derek’s father said, patting his son’s thigh. They all watched Derek relax a little.

“Plus dude nothing changes you’re still little Derek,” David teased

Derek laughed “you’re four months older”

+++

David and Derek got accepted into the same college in Chicago. Derek got in on a baseball scholarship, while David got in on a partial academic scholarship. Even with their busy college lives, they manage to hang out. They got to the room together at Northwestern University. All four years of college, they established their routines and traditions. David had it so much easier than Derek, though. David was smart, and he excelled in his classes, while Derek had to juggle baseball, his academics, and keeping his secret. At times, David had to drag him to the bars because he was just so overwhelmed with trying to fit into one specific group. His baseball teammates were awesome, but a lot of his classmates in his marketing classes were also really cool. He did not want to fall into a clique. He wanted to get to know everyone. David was different; it was almost effortless for him. He didn’t have baseball like Derek but he still helped Derek sharpen his skills for the field. 

+++

Back to the present day, Derek looked at his watch and groaned. He saved his work, shut down his computer and started to head to the elevator. Victor wanted Derek to see how the firm works for the type of social events they would put on. Victor saw another him in Derek, but he had to learn. 

On his way to the parking lot, Derek’s phone rang. David was calling. 

“Yo Der: David’s cheerful voice rang on the speaker. “What are you doing tonight?” he asked.

“I have a work thing tonight,” Derek sighed. “Plus, you told me that you were going to stay late at the office,” Derek said as he unlocked his car.

“Well, I was seeing if you wanted to go grab a beer.” 

Derek laughed a little. That was David’s way of saying he wanted to talk 

“I can’t tonight, but soon,” Derek said 

“All good,” David responded. “Have you spoken to your mom lately?”

“Oh crap! No, I’ve been so busy.”

“Uh oh!” David teased, “You too busy for your mother? How dare you, Derek?” 

Derek could only roll his eyes at his best friend’s obnoxious teasing. “If I am remembering correctly, you pushed me into accepting this job.” 

David laughed, “Ah, you got me,” he said, “but honestly, you’re just adjusting. I mean, you’re working with Victor Kane.

Derek chuckled, “Yes, almighty Victor Kane.” He said, “he’s a great boss, but I think he expects me to be something I’m not. I mean, I am not a flashy, throw-money type of person. That’s all our clients, they’re so elitist for no reason. At the end of the day, when it’s all our time to go, death does not care if you are a millionaire with the newest car or not. Ask the people on the Titanic.” 

“Jesus, dude. That  it is dark, you know that?”

“Really, that’s what you get? It’s dark.” 

“Yeah, it is, Derek,”

“Alright, I will see you soon, asshole,” Derek said in a light tone. 

He started his car and drove home first to shower and change. Maybe he will have just enough time to eat, barely. 

After changing into a fresh suit, Derek drove in his 2014 Toyota Corolla. He was sure Victor disapproved, but his car had been reliable on him. When he got to the venue, he saw Victor standing outside on the phone. He sighed and braced himself; he knew he was late, and being late left bad impressions. He got out of the car once it was parked, straightened his tie, and approached his boss. He waited for Victor to finish his call before greeting him.

“You’re late,” Victor said as he got off the phone and pocketed the device in his suit jacket pocket.

“I know, I’m sorry I lost track of time working on the Stenson campaign.”

“First, you need to stop starting sentences with ‘I’m sorry,’ it makes you look weak. These people will pounce on the weak and twist it. We are here to bring their brand's new clients. We are not their best friends, and we don’t do more work for them than what we have to,” Victor said as they started walking into the building. He grabbed a glass of white wine from the wait staff that was walking around with trays. Derek grabbed one too, but he had to stop the person lightly to have time to get it. 

“But don’t we want to show that we care for our clients?”

“Sure, we do, but it’s an art, Derek.” Victor laughed, “With a brain like yours, I would have assumed that you knew this.” 

“I guess I just want to impress,” Derek laughed nervously, holding the glass.

Victor took a sip of wine and chuckled, “Oh, kid, the eagerness will wear off,” he said as he cased the event. They had a few huge clients here. Victor knew how to work a crowd, though. “Plus, you charmed me, so you shouldn’t have a problem.”

Derek shrugged as he looked around. Everyone here was wearing something that would cost more than his rent. They made knock-offs for a reason. 

“Is it just a designer event?” Derek asked before he could stop himself

Victor laughed a genuine laugh, “Not much for materialism, are you?” 

“I just don’t get the point of designer items. Like, is it really worth it? I mean, Gucci sells a basic T-shirt you could get at Walmart for like ten dollars for like ten K.”

“It’s an image thing. I mean, look around, do these people scream success or projection?” Victor said, “Like that woman right there in the long black Prada dress. It would say ‘sophisticated,’ but then she paired it with that tacky silver clutch and went heavy on the silver jewelry. Women in the office don’t dress like that, right? Jessica would probably wear a similar cut dress, a simple silver clutch or a purse, small heels with earrings, or something. Less is more, Jessica understands that; this chick doesn’t.”

Jessica was a partner in the firm and had made history in the industry in her own way. Though Derek had never met her, he did read up on who he was working for. He had to be informed; it only made sense.

“I guess,” Derek said 

“Okay, well, look at you and me. Off-the-rack suits, mine is gray, and yours is navy. Simple and composed, and then there’s the bozo wearing the textured suit that makes him look like he ran through a toddler rave.”

Derek snorted, “Yeah, I see it, less is more,” he said. “You didn’t strike me as the kind of guy who wouldn’t like this kind of stuff,” he said

Victor winked, “Well, that’s because the only expensive crap I’m buying is booze. I have money and style, not stupidity.”

Derek smiled genuinely as he took his first sip of the drink he’s been holding since he got there. “Yeah,” he said 

“Now put on your game face, time to network with these people,” Victor said

A/N This is the first chapter. Let me know what you think!

[fracturedbondsalifelent]

Coming soon: Fractured Bonds, A Life Lent

𝙸𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚌𝚑 𝙳𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚘 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚒𝚝.

This is a mature original piece that I wrote.

It contains the following:

Mentions of addiction

Dark mature themes

Mpreg