Shattered | The Story So Far...

Introduction

Shattered is the story of Auron's perilous tight rope walk between his double life of being the CEO of a billion dollar entertainment company and the head of an organized crime syndicate, all while discovering long buried truths about himself thanks to an equally risky office romance with the rookie in his legal department! As the very threads that weave the fabric of the world he's known begin to fray, he desperately tries to hold on to what he cherishes most.

Auron's narrative up until now was not always "Shattered", with his initial series being unnamed, and followed up with a series called Escape. Much like how BitterSweet was not called such until midway through Chapter 2, these earlier audios have been absorbed into the broader narrative we now call Shattered.

Shattered Chapter 1 | A Family Affair

Auron caps off a frustrating day of phone calls (including a scathing chat with Mark, Head of Talent Acquisition) by having his secretary Trish book dinner plans for two under the assumption that Mark would be doing his job and they'd be celebrating a contract signed by "Ben what's-his-face". With that piece of business handled, he directs Trish to send in the rookie from legal for their meeting.

It's teased that Auron's surname is one that he prefers not to be called, foreshadowing the strained relationship with the man he inherited both of his jobs from. Rook proves confident and bold in the face of their new boss, and he notes how he approves of someone who doesn't cower away from him. He prepares them for a large backlog of work, and the two trade a few flirtatious barbs before Rook is sent on there way. Once alone, Auron returns a phone call to Derek, and refers to "our little problem" and numbers not adding up, and he threatens to come collect personally if things aren't handled soon.

On Monday, Auron is fresh off the heels of firing Mark, and is shut down by Trish when he offers to let her join him for the dinner reservation. Rook has requested a meeting, as they've discovered some troubling inconsistencies with earnings numbers thanks to a note left behind by Ethan, the lawyer Rook has replaced. The note directed the reader to look over documents that revealed what is implied to look a whole lot like fraud (oh no!), what Auron finds curious is that Rook brought the note directly to him and was careful to make sure that his office was indeed private and secure.

Ethan was clearly someone who was involved in the shadier side of Auron's business, who was incapable of "running with the wolves" as he puts it. Rook, on the other hand, seems ready to keep pace. Auron clarifies that his father was part of a long line of, presumably, criminals...and they've weather far greater storms than this. He assures Rook that there are failsafes in place, and he's unbothered.

Auron's confidence is steadfast. His calm and firm demeanor brings Rook's worry to heel, and the two share a moment as he invites them to look into his eyes. They see that he's earned this calmness through sacrifice, and he doesn't fear any repercussions or conflict, because he is prepared. He tells them that they can trust that the prices he's paid are enough to protect everyone who works for him. Rook disposes of the note, and Auron approves...before they are interrupted by Faust, who storms into the office.

Auron has been ignoring calls from Faust, Faust has been ignoring calls from their mother, and this family affair only gets messier from there...and thankfully, Rook gets the hell out of there before the real mud slinging begins. The contentious relationship between these step-brothers is largely due to Auron inheriting Faust's biological father's company and discarding the relationship they had in their youth. Auron gets defensive when Faust frames his position as CEO as fortunate and lucky, which agitates Auron to the point of anger.

Faust does not appear to be aware that the inheritance included a role as head of a crime syndicate. Auron also implies that his biological mother has been trying to maintain a relationship with Faust, which he seems envious of. It seems that Auron has cut off the few people he was close to once his step-father passed away. Faust is signed to the talent agency branch of the company and is a streamer with a reputation of being a brat who is difficult to work with, who was apparently looked after by Mark up until his recent firing.

When Faust relents and leaves Auron to stew, Auron reaches out to Rook to see if they would be interested in joining him for dinner...

Auron is drawn to Rook in ways he struggles to express and identify within himself. What starts off as a desire to blow off some steam with an ill advised relationship where he wields his dominance over this exciting, new, submissive partner begins to evolve into a connection rooted in much more than carnal desire. As their encounters continue with more and more frequency, the two develop a trust and genuine affection for one another that culminates in a romantic dance in the privacy of Auron's office during the company's winter holiday party.

For the sake of the HR nightmare that would unfold, and Rook's own safety, Auron keeps their relationship private.

Shattered Chapter 2 | Escape

Days after Christmas, Auron whisks Rook away for a lust filled evening during the holiday break from work. He admits that Rook's posts on social media of them having fun for the holidays made him miss them, and that he wouldn't hate it if they'd send him pictures every now and then. When Rook mentions Auron's other phone, he realizes that they've become a bit concerned about his "other business" and he assures them that the source of his stress has been dealt with.

Not only has the added stress been lifted, he's feeling romantic as well. He confesses that his desire to see them was more emotionally driven than physical, and that time spent with them has made him feel at home in a world where he's felt out of place. It's so easy with them, and he wanted to make it clear that he isn't driven by lust, but rather...Rook themself.

Rook has Auron close his eyes, and picture any place at all he'd want to be. He states that the challenge is easy, as he has a vivid imagination, reading and writing comes easily to him. He describes a setting he's been working on, a cabin or a hut, nestled in a forest tucked away in the mountains. A crackling fire, dried herbs, books, and the feeling of things being old and removed from modern society.

It's safe there.

As he finishes his description, Rook steals a kiss, and their night together truly begins.

After their encounter at the club, the exhausted pair rests in the back of his car once again as they're driven around the city. They cozy up together, and Auron sweetly comforts them in the aftermath of their intimacy, praising them in all sorts of ways. Clearly, this is the first time he's let someone get this close to him, and to let himself care.

He wants Rook to be careful, and believes that the less they know, the better. There was a time that he was worried that potential threats might target the people he cares about, and kept them away out of fear. It feels safe now, and even if it wasn't, he swears he wouldn't let anything touch Rook.

This is the last chance for Rook to turn back, to let common sense, decency, and logic prevail. He wouldn't blame them for it. He would understand. But the truth is, that was never an option.

Rook references Auron's mention of "sacrifice", and he begins to open up. He states that he couldn't protect his mother from herself, her decisions, or his step-father. As for Faust, he's done his best to ensure that Faust could live a life far removed from the shadow cast by his father...and now by Auron himself. He pushed them both away because it felt it was the best way to protect them.

But Rook slipped past his guard, and now he wonders...could they love a man like him?

They spend the night at Auron's penthouse, capping things off with a perfectly dated MTV Cribs reference, slapping meat in the shower, and sleeping in Auron's hilariously gothic bedroom. In the morning, Auron finds his bed empty, and discovers that Rook coordinated a belated birthday surprise for him with Trish. Auron is a Christmas baby, and had no intention of sharing the fact with Rook.

Included among the gifts was a box of "Deerlies", a sugary breakfast cereal, from Auron's mother. Rook's gift was an ornate fountain pen, but when Auron opens the box he's struck with the memory of a Christmas long past, the vision of his younger self standing over the body of his stepfather holding a smoking gun, which he imagined within the box containing the pen, covered in vines.

The moment passes, and Auron breathes easy as he celebrates his birthday for the first time a long time.