BOUND BY SECRETS

Pongsapak Mansion

Emmy stepped out of her car, her hands slightly trembling. The massive gates of the Pongsapak mansion loomed before her, stirring uneasy memories. She barely had time to gather herself before Tong stormed towards her, his expression dark with fury.

"Come with me," Tong growled, gripping her arm tightly.

"Uncle—" Emmy's voice quivered, but he didn't slow down.

"You met Santa again, didn’t you?" Tong accused, dragging her through the grand corridors of the mansion.
"Do you know what you've done?"

Emmy's heart pounded, but she kept her head high. "I did nothing wrong."

They reached the grand study. The massive doors swung open, revealing Niran Pongsapak sitting in his armchair, his piercing gaze fixed on them. The atmosphere was suffocating, thick with tension.

"Leave us," Niran’s voice was low, but the authority in his tone was undeniable.

Tong gave Emmy one last glare before stepping back and closing the door behind him.

"Sit," Niran commanded.

Emmy obeyed, though the weight of his gaze made her knees weak.

"You met Santa," Niran said slowly, his voice dangerously calm. "I told you not to interfere."

"I didn’t interfere," Emmy insisted, her eyes glistening. "He needed me."

Niran slammed his cane against the floor, making Emmy flinch.

"You met Santa, Emmy! Do you know what consequences your actions could bring? You’re not a child anymore!"

"He’s my cousin! My family!" she shot back, her voice cracking.

"I couldn't turn my back on him. Not after everything he’s been through."

Niran’s jaw clenched. "You’ve forgotten your place."

"My place?" Emmy's voice wavered, but she held her ground.

"Is my place to silently watch while Santa suffers? While he gets treated like a pawn in your twisted games?"

"You know nothing of what I do to protect this family," Niran spat. "I won’t let your foolishness ruin everything."

"I won’t abandon Santa," Emmy declared firmly, her trembling hands clutching the arms of the chair.

Niran narrowed his eyes, the coldness in his stare making her chest tighten. "Then be prepared to bear the consequences."

---------

Elsewhere.....

At the Intelligence Bureau, Perth stood before his superiors, submitting a folder filled with crucial evidence. Documents, photographs, and reports — a web of secrets unraveled before their eyes.

"This is everything I have on the Pongsapak family," Perth stated firmly. "Including evidence linking them to the accident that killed Anee and Pong."

His senior nodded gravely. "This is damning, Perth. But it’s only the beginning. Are you prepared for what comes next?"

Perth's expression hardened. His mind flashed to Santa — his bright eyes, his laughter, the way he trembled in his arms.

"I'll do whatever it takes to bring them down," Perth vowed.

And this time, there would be no mercy.

------------

Perth’s Apartment....

The night air was deadly silent, the kind that made you shiver with fear.....Perth was seated on the couch, his eyes skimming through a pile of files.

The weight of the investigation bore heavily on him, but his mind often wandered to Santa.

He smiled softly, remembering the way Santa pouted this morning over a simple goodbye. Just then, his phone buzzed. A message.

"Be careful. They know."

Perth's body tensed. Before he could respond, a loud crash echoed from the entrance. The door burst open.

Masked men. Four of them.

Perth moved on instinct. Grabbing the small table, he slammed it into the first intruder. But the others were quick. A sharp punch to his ribs knocked him down. Perth gasped, struggling to stay upright.

"Where’s the evidence?" one of the men growled.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," Perth spat, blood trickling from his lip.

The attacker raised his fist again when a sudden voice echoed from the door.

"Phi!"

Santa stood frozen, eyes wide in horror. He had just returned from his dorm, excitement bubbling inside him to surprise Perth. But now, his world shattered.

"Santa, run!" Perth shouted, his voice laced with desperation.

But Santa didn’t move. Tears welled up in his eyes. "No!"

The distraction gave Perth the split second he needed. He elbowed the man closest to him, sending him stumbling. Using his body as a shield, Perth pushed Santa back.

"Go....Now!"

"I’m not leaving you!" Santa sobbed, clutching Perth’s trembling frame.

The attackers loomed closer. Sirens in the distance. Someone had called for help, but they weren’t safe yet.

"Santa, listen to me." Perth cupped Santa's face, his own eyes pleading. "You need to get out of here. They’ll hurt you. Please, ta, go."

"No!" Santa shook his head violently. "We face this together!"

The front door rattled again — more footsteps. The men cursed, realizing time was slipping. They vanished into the shadows just as the approaching sirens pierced the air.

--------

Perth and Santa had barely managed to escape. Through dim alleyways and back streets, Perth guided Santa, his arm wrapped protectively around him.

The warehouse was cold and dark, with the only light filtering through cracked windows. Perth collapsed against a wall, wincing from the pain. Santa knelt beside him, his trembling hands tracing the bruises on Perth’s face.

"Why did you try to send me away?" Santa's voice broke. "You think I can't handle this?"

"It’s not that," Perth whispered, his thumb brushing away Santa’s tears. "I can’t bear the thought of losing you. You’re everything to me."

Santa shook his head, clenching Perth's shirt tightly. "Then don’t ask me to run. I’m not leaving you."

Perth gazed into Santa’s tear-streaked face, overwhelmed by the strength in his eyes. He pulled Santa into his arms, their foreheads pressed together.

"I swear, I’ll keep you safe," Perth murmured. "No matter what it takes."

Outside, the shadows lingered. The Pongsapak men were still searching. The game had turned deadly. And now, the only choice left was to fight back.

To be continued... 🖤🤍