BOUND BY SECRETS

Santa's Dorm

Santa's fingers hovered over the phone, rereading Emmy's message. His heart pounded.

"We need to talk. It's important."

"Who is it?" Louis asked, trying to peek at the screen.

"Phi Emmy, she wants to meet me." Santa mumbled, shoving the phone into his pocket.

Louis, Mark, and Sammy exchanged glances.

"Didn't she met yesterday...That doesn't good...is everything alright" Mark said.

"Want us to come with you?" Sammy offered.

Santa shook his head. "No, I'll be fine."

The truth was, he wasn't sure if he would be. But he needed to face whatever Emmy wanted to say.

At Cafeteria....

Emmy was already there, her slender frame seemed bit tensed, hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. She looked up the moment Santa approached.

"Ta," she greeted softly, her smile forced.

"Phi," Santa whispered, sliding into the seat across from her.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension hung heavily in the air. Finally, Emmy broke the silence.

"Grandpa knows we met."

Santa froze. "What?"

"I tried to keep it discreet, but someone must have reported it. He confronted me last night."

Santa's chest tightened. "Did he threaten you?"

Emmy shook her head, though the tremble in her voice betrayed her fear. "No. But he made it clear that I'm being watched. And so are you."

Santa's fists clenched. "I can't believe him. Why can't he just let me live my life?"

"Because you're still a Pongsapak," Emmy said bitterly. "And no matter how far you run, he'll find a way to pull you back."

Santa felt the familiar sting of helplessness creeping in. "I'm not going back. I don't care what he does."

Emmy's eyes softened. "I know. And I'll always stand by you. But, Ta... you have to be careful. Especially with Phi Perth."

Santa flinched at the mention of Perth's name. "Why are you bringing him into this?"

Emmy lowered her voice...."Grandpa knows about him. He knows that Perth isn't just some ordinary professor. He is a secret cop...And he's digging."

Santa's blood ran cold. "He's investigating Phi Perth?"

"Yes. And if he finds out the truth..." Emmy's voice trailed off. "He'll do whatever it takes to stop him."

Santa's stomach twisted. "I have to warn Phi Perth."

"Be careful," Emmy pleaded. "And Ta... don't let him see how much Phi Perth means to you. It'll only make you a bigger target."

Santa swallowed hard, nodding.

"I won't let anything happen to him," he vowed.

Perth's Apartment -

Perth paced across the living room, his jaw clenched. His phone buzzed with yet another notification, but he ignored it. He had already received the same message multiple times.

A direct threat.

"Stay away from the Pongsapak family, or you'll regret it."

He gritted his teeth. Niran Pongsapak was getting desperate. And desperate men were dangerous.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. When he opened it, Santa stood there, looking visibly anxious.

"Ta," Perth's voice softened. "What's wrong?"

"Can I come in?" Santa asked, his eyes pleading.

Perth immediately stepped aside, closing the door behind him.

"Did something happen?"

Santa's hands trembled as he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

"Phi, I know....I know that Grandpa is investigating you."

Perth's eyes darkened. "How did you-"

"Phi Emmy told me," Santa interrupted. "He confronted her. He knows you're not just a professor. He knows something is off."

Perth exhaled sharply, his hands balling into fists. "I was expecting this. But not so soon."

Santa's voice broke. "I'm scared. What if he tries to hurt you?"

Perth took a step closer, cupping Santa's face gently. "He won't. I won't let him."

"But Phi, I need to know," Santa whispered. "What are you really doing here? Why are you investigating my family?"

Perth hesitated. He knew this moment would come.

"Ta," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from Santa's face. "I promise I'll tell you everything. But not yet. It's not safe."

Tears welled in Santa's eyes. "Why won't you trust me?"

Perth's heart ached at the words. He pulled Santa into a tight embrace, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"I do trust you," he whispered. "More than anyone. That's why I need to protect you."

Santa clutched Perth's shirt tightly. "Then promise me. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Perth's lips pressed against Santa's forehead. "I promise."

But even as the words left his mouth, the weight of the truth bore down on him. He could only hope that when the time came, Santa would understand why he had to keep him in the dark.

To be continued... 🖤🤍