BOUND BY SECRETS

Louis and Mark were half-listening to the professor, but Sammy.....oh, Sammy was entirely distracted.

"Santa," she whispered, leaning closer with a mischievous grin.

"The senior from the architecture department was totally checking you out at the café this morning."

Santa's brows furrowed. "Huh? Who?"

"You know, the one with the dimples," she teased, wiggling her brows. "He even smiled at you."

Louis snickered. "Well, Santa is pretty popular. Can't blame the guy."

"Shut up," Santa muttered, cheeks slightly pink. "I didn't even notice."

"Oh, he definitely noticed you," Sammy grinned. "And guess what? I might've accidentally slipped your number to him."

"What?!" Santa jolted, his wide eyes staring at her in disbelief. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you're single and in desperate need of a little romance."

"I'm not-" Santa started, but before he could finish, the lecture ended, and students began filing out of the room.

Louis patted his back. "Come on, Santa. A little date won't hurt. You need a break from all the stress."

Mark laughed. "Maybe you'll find your one true love."

Santa rolled his eyes but couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine.

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Later that day, the campus buzzed with students lounging around the open grounds.

Santa and his friends settled at their usual spot when Sammy's phone buzzed. She glanced at it with a smug smile.

"Good news! Your 'date' is confirmed for tomorrow."

Santa groaned. "Sammy, seriously.... "

"You'll thank me later."

Just then, a familiar figure approached the table.

Perth....

He wore his signature black shirt, sleeves rolled up, with an air of calm authority. Yet, his sharp eyes immediately locked on Santa.

"Santa," Perth called, his voice low yet commanding. "I need to see you in my office."

Santa stiffened. "Now?"

"Yes."

His friends shared curious glances. Sammy gave Santa a playful shove. "Oooh, what did you do now?"

Santa ignored her, reluctantly following Perth. But as they walked away, Santa swore he felt a chill. Perth's expression was unreadable, but his jaw was clenched.

---------

Inside the office, the door clicked shut behind them.

"Did something happen?" Santa asked, his voice cautious.

Perth leaned against the desk, his arms crossed. "I heard you have a date."

Santa blinked. "Wait... what?"

"That guy from the architecture department." Perth's eyes darkened. "You're going out with him."

Santa gaped. "How do you even know about that?"

Perth didn't answer. The tension in the room thickened.

"Are you... jealous?" Santa tilted his head, his lips curling into a sly smile.

Perth's gaze flickered, caught between frustration and amusement. "I'm not jealous."

"Really?" Santa teased. "Then why are you acting like this?"

"I just think you shouldn't waste your time," Perth replied, stepping closer. "Some people don't have good intentions."

Santa's heart fluttered. "And what if I say I'm not interested in anyone else?"

Perth's lips twitched into a small smirk. "Then I'd say that's a good decision."

The warmth in his voice sent a flush to Santa's cheeks.

---------

The next morning, Santa lazily moved to the cafeteria, barely awake, when his friends bombarded him.

"So," Louis started, grinning ear to ear. "How was your date?"

Santa groaned. "There was no date."

"What?!" Sammy gasped dramatically. "Don't tell me he ghosted you!"

Santa rubbed his temples. "No, I canceled it."

"Why?" Mark frowned. "He was literally perfect."

"I have a husband," Santa blurted out, his voice louder than intended.

The table fell dead silent.

"What did you just say?" Louis blinked.

Santa froze, realizing what he had just confessed. Panic rushed through him.

"I... I mean..."

"You're married?" Sammy practically screeched.

"Since when?" Mark's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Who's your husband?" Louis demanded.

"I-I can't talk about it right now!" Santa quickly grabbed his tray and stood up. "I'll explain later!"

Before they could bombard him with more questions, Santa bolted from the cafeteria, leaving his stunned friends in disbelief.

Louis stared after him. "Did we just find out Santa has a secret husband?"

Mark nodded slowly. "Yep."

"And he's definitely hiding something."

"Absolutely."

Sammy's grin returned. "This just got a lot more interesting."

To be continued... 🖤🤍