BOUND BY SECRETS

Chiang Mai University – Cafeteria

Santa slumped onto his chair, stirring his iced coffee lazily. His mind was still swirling with thoughts, and it must have shown on his face because his friends were all staring at him like he was a lost kitten in the rain.

Louis nudged him. “Oi....Earth to Santa.”

Mark smirked... “What’s with that long face? Did someone steal your lunch money?”

Sammy gasped dramatically...“Or worse… did your crush ignore your text?”

Santa groaned. “I don’t have a crush.”

Louis snickered. “That’s what all heartbroken people say.”

Santa sighed. “I just… ran into someone I didn’t want to see.”

Louis narrowed his eyes. “Title?”

Santa winced.

That was enough confirmation.

Mark clapped his hands together... “Right,That’s it. Time to relocate. Santa, let’s move to another country. I hear Switzerland is nice.”

Sammy grinned...“Or Japan! Imagine Santa in a yukata, sipping tea and forgetting his troubles.”

Louis smirked...“Or we can stay here and set Title on fire.”

Santa sighed...“Guys…”

Louis draped an arm over his shoulder...“Cheer up, dude. No matter what happens, we’ve got your back.”

Mark grinned...“And by that, he means we’ll definitely make fun of you but with love.”

Sammy nodded solemnly...“Exactly. Pure, chaotic love.”

Santa rolled his eyes but smiled despite himself. His friends were idiots, but they were his idiots.

--------

Civil Engineering Lecture Hall – 10:00 AM

A buzz filled the room.

A new professor was joining today, and the excitement was real.

“I hope he’s hot,” a girl in the front row whispered.

“I just hope he’s not strict,” another muttered.

Louis leaned back in his chair. “Bet he’s an old guy with a potbelly and glasses thicker than my future.”

Mark smirked. “Bet he wears sandals with socks.”

Sammy snorted. “Bet he spits when he talks.”

Santa, barely listening, was doodling nonsense in his notebook when—

The door creaked open.

The entire room froze.

A collective gasp filled the air.

Because the man who walked in…

Was nothing like they imagined.

Tall...Lean... Dressed in a sharp black suit. His movements were calm, confident, almost intimidating. His jet-black hair was styled effortlessly, and his piercing gaze swept over the room like he owned it.

Girls were already swooning.

A guy two rows ahead whispered, “Damn… I think I’m in love.”

Someone else muttered, “This isn’t a professor… this is a movie star.”

Santa...however, was not swooning.

Because the moment his eyes landed on the new professor—

His husband—

His secret husband—

His entire soul left his body.

Perth’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

Good morning everyone, he said in a deep, smooth voice. I'm Professor Perth. I'll be your new instructor for this semester.

A girl sighed dreamily. 'Oh, I love engineering."

Louis’ jaw dropped. “No. Freaking. Way.”

Mark muttered, “Okay, maybe we are doomed.”

Sammy blinked at Santa. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

Santa wanted to disappear into the floor.

Because Perth’s eyes flicked to him for just a second—just enough to send a clear message.

I know exactly what I’m doing.

Santa’s heart was not ready for this.

-------

Santa couldn't focus.

Not on the lecture. Not on his notes. Not even on the fact that Perth was his husband and somehow now his professor.

Why?

Because the entire class was practically drooling over Perth.

The girls, the guys—heck, even some of the seniors who had popped in for "extra guidance"—they were all staring at Perth like he was the last piece of chocolate cake in a world full of vegetables.

One girl leaned over to her friend. "Do you think he's single?"

Another whispered, "I bet he has a girlfriend… or a boyfriend. He’s too perfect to be alone."

A guy muttered, “I don’t care what he teaches. I’m attending every lecture.”

Santa clenched his jaw. He didn’t like this feeling, but it was bubbling inside him like a volcano about to explode.

Why are they all looking at him like that?

Why is that girl twirling her hair every time Perth talks?

And why the hell is Perth smiling back at them?!

Santa huffed. He tried to ignore it. He really did.

But then—

“Professor, could you explain that again? I just love the way you teach,” a girl in the front row grinned.

Perth smirked slightly and leaned on the desk. “Of course. Anything for my students.”

Santa frowned.

Louis leaned over, whispering, “Dude… are you pouting?”

“I’m not pouting.”

Mark snickered. “You so are. Are you… jealous?”

Santa’s eye twitched. “No.”

Sammy gasped dramatically. “Oh my God, he’s totally jealous.”

Louis grinned. “Damn. Professor Perth out here stealing hearts… and Santa’s sanity.”

Santa shot them a glare. “Shut up.”

But his traitorous eyes kept flicking toward Perth.

And when Perth glanced back at him—just for a second, just long enough for Santa to feel it—there was amusement in his gaze.

Almost like he knew.

Almost like he was teasing him.

Santa groaned and dropped his head onto the desk.

This was going to be a long semester.

To be continued... 🖤🤍