BOUND BY SECRETS

Santa sat in his family’s grand living room, surrounded by people who were supposed to love him. His grandfather, Niran Pongsapak, sat at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. His father, Tong, sat beside him, arms crossed, while his mother, Praew, remained silent as always. Emmy stood near the corner, tension visible on her face.

And then, Niran spoke.

"Santa, you will marry Title Jirawit."

The words hit him like a punch to the gut.

For a moment, Santa thought he had misheard. "What…?"

Niran's gaze was firm. "Your engagement is tomorrow."

Santa’s stomach twisted violently. Suddenly, memories of his last encounter with Title flooded his mind.....Title’s suffocating presence, his possessive grip, the haunting words:

"Stay untouched. Soon, you’ll be mine."

Santa shot up from his chair, his hands slamming onto the table.

"No! I won’t marry him!"

His father’s face darkened instantly. "Sit down, Santa!"

But Santa refused. His chest heaved as panic set in.

"Why him?! I don’t even know him! He..he’s creepy! He.."

"Enough!" Tong’s voice boomed across the room. "This is not up for discussion!"

Santa’s nails dug into his palms. "Why are you doing this?! What do you gain from selling me off to him?"

His father’s eyes burned with anger. "You ungrateful brat! Everything we do is for your own good!"

Santa let out a humorless laugh. "My own good? Or the company’s good?"

A heavy silence fell over the room. His mother flinched, but said nothing. Emmy’s grip tightened on her dress.

Santa turned to Niran....

"Grandpa, please, I’m begging you. Don’t do this to me."

Niran's expression remained cold. "You will marry Title. That is final."

Santa’s body trembled. "I WON’T!"

A sharp smack echoed in the room.

Santa stumbled back, his cheek burning. His eyes widened in shock.

Niran had slapped him.

His grandfather, the only one who had ever been somewhat soft toward him, had just raised his hand against him.

Emmy gasped but didn’t dare move. His mother lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

Santa’s breath hitched.

"I’m your grandson… and you’re still forcing me?"

Niran’s voice was ice cold...

"You are a Pongsapak first. Your personal feelings mean nothing. Tomorrow, you will be engaged to Title."

Santa turned desperately to his mother. "Mom… please…"

But she only looked away.

Joss, who had been silent all this time, finally stood up. "He won’t listen, Grandpa. Let’s lock him in his room until tomorrow."

Before Santa could react, Joss grabbed his wrist and yanked him toward the stairs.

Santa struggled. " Phi Joss, let go of me!"

"Don’t make this harder, Santa," Joss muttered, his grip like iron.

Santa’s nails dug into his brother’s arm, but Joss didn’t even flinch.

The next thing he knew, he was shoved into his bedroom, and the lock clicked shut from the outside.

Santa slammed his fists against the door. "LET ME OUT!"

No response.

His vision blurred with tears as he collapsed onto his bed, sobbing into his pillow.

_____

Hours passed. The house was silent.

Then, a soft click broke the stillness.

Santa barely lifted his head as the door creaked open. Emmy slipped inside, closing it quickly behind her.

"Santa," she whispered, kneeling beside his bed.

Santa sniffled. "Go away…"

Instead, Emmy gently stroked his hair. "I wish I could stop this."

Santa sat up slowly, his eyes swollen. "Why won’t anyone help me?"

Emmy bit her lip. "Santa… this marriage isn’t just about you and Title. It’s bigger than that. There’s more of going on than you realize."

Santa’s heart pounded. "What do you mean?"

Emmy hesitated before gripping his hands tightly. "You need to run."

Santa’s breath caught. "What?!"

"If you stay, you’ll regret it."

--------

At Midnight....

Santa, guided by Emmy, crept through the dark halls of the Pongsapak mansion.

They reached the back entrance. Emmy turned to him, her eyes filled with worry.

"Go. Run as far as you can."

Santa swallowed hard. "Will you be okay?"

She smiled faintly. "Just go, you idiot."

Santa took one last look at her before bolting into the night.

His heart pounded as he ran through the empty streets of Bangkok, unsure of where he was going only knowing that he had to get away.

Then, suddenly...

He crashed into someone.

Strong arms caught him before he could fall.

Breathless, Santa looked up.

A familiar face.

A familiar warmth.

"Santa?"

To be continued... 🖤🤍