BOUND BY SECRETS

Perth’s POV

Perth barely stopped at the red lights as he sped toward the location Emmy had sent. His hands tightened around the steering wheel, his heart pounding.

"Please help Santa."

Emmy wasn’t the type to ask for help unless it was serious. And from the way she texted rushed, desperate...he knew something was terribly wrong.

When he reached the street, his stomach dropped.

Santa stood there, alone. His figure was small under the dim streetlights, his arms wrapped around himself like he was trying to hold himself together.

His face was pale, his lips slightly parted, his eyes unfocused.

And then..

His knees buckled.

Perth didn’t think..
he ran towards Santa

Santa was about to collapse onto the pavement when Perth caught him, strong arms wrapping around his waist.

"Santa!"

A soft, broken whisper left Santa’s lips. "Phi… Perth?"

And then, he went completely limp in his arms.

Perth held him close, his heart beating rapidly. Santa’s body was trembling, ice cold against his own warmth.

"What the hell happened to you?"

Without a second thought, Perth scooped him up and carried him to his car.

"I’ve got you, Santa. I won’t let anything happen to you."

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Santa barely moved when Perth laid him down on the bed in his apartment. His eyelashes fluttered, his breath uneven, but he didn’t wake.

Perth sat beside the bed, watching over him.

The Santa he had seen before... cheerful, full of life was nowhere to be found.

This Santa was broken.

Perth didn’t know why, but the sight made something burn in his chest.

"Who did this to you?"

Morning Tension...

Santa’s fingers twitched. His eyes fluttered open, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings.

His body went rigid.

Before he could panic, Perth spoke.

"You’re awake."

Santa flinched at the voice and turned toward him. "Where am I?" His voice was hoarse. "What am I doing here?"

Perth leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

"I found you last night. Emmy sent me your location and asked me to help you."

Santa froze. "Phi Emmy… did?"

Perth gave a small nod. "She didn’t explain much, but she sounded desperate."

His voice hardened. "She said your family was forcing you into marriage. Is that true?"

Santa sucked in a breath. His fingers clenched the bedsheet so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Then, in a shaky whisper "They want me to marry Title."

Perth’s jaw clenched. "Title Jirawit?"

Santa gave a weak nod. "He’s been obsessed with me. Stalking me."

And now my family.....His voice cracked. "They’re forcing me to marry him for business. I refused, but Grandpa… he slapped me. Then they locked me in my room."

Perth inhaled sharply. His fingers curled into fists.

"They hit him? They locked him up like a prisoner?"

Santa gave a bitter laugh, his eyes dull. "I ran because I had no choice. I don’t know where to go. I just… I just know I can’t marry him."

Perth stared at him, something dark flickering in his gaze. Then, after a long silence...

"Then marry me."

Santa’s head snapped up. His mouth fell open, but no words came out.

"W-what?"

Perth’s voice was steady, unwavering. "I said, marry me. If you do, they won’t be able to force you into marrying Title."

Santa stared at him like he had lost his mind. "Phi Perth, we barely know each other!"

Perth gave a slow smirk, though his eyes remained serious. "I know you enough. I’m 28....A professor at Chulalongkorn University. I grew up in an orphanage. I don’t have a family, but I have a life of my own. Is that enough?"

Santa’s lips trembled. "That’s not the point!"

Perth’s smirk dropped. "Then what is the point?" His voice was low, intense. "Do you want to go back and let them decide your life for you?"

Santa flinched.

Perth continued. "This is the only way I can protect you, Santa."

Santa’s breath hitched. His mind was screaming at him...this is crazy, this is insane....but his heart…

His heart was telling him that Perth was right.

He couldn’t go back.

But...

His voice was barely a whisper. "Why? Why do you want to protect me? You’re not even that close with Phi Emmy…"

Perth’s jaw tightened for a brief second before he answered. "I… I’ll tell you when the time is right."

Santa’s heart pounded.

Perth held out his hand. "So? Will you marry me?"

Santa’s lips parted, but no sound came out. He stared at Perth, feeling like the entire world was closing in on him.

Everything had happened so fast. Two days ago, he was just a university student.

Now, he was running away from his own family.

And a man he barely knew was offering to change his fate.

Santa hesitated, his mind still fighting itself.

But in the end, his heart won.

Slowly, he nodded.

"I… I will."

Perth’s eyes softened, but his next words were firm. "Do you have your documents?"

Santa nodded again.

"Then it's decided." Perth stood up, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We’re registering our marriage tomorrow."

Santa sat frozen. His heart pounded in his ears as he whispered,

"What… just happened to my life?"

But there was no turning back now.

And deep down, he knew, this was just the beginning.

To be continued... 🖤🤍