Unexpected Love *⁠.⁠✧

Episode 11

Santa walked toward the practice room at Chulalongkorn University, his mind heavy with the memory that had haunted him for weeks. The day he fell, right in front of everyone during the campus venue, replayed in his head like a bad dream. Every time he tried to forget it, the embarrassment washed over him again. But today, he was determined to try dancing once more, even if the fear of messing up still lingered.

As he reached the door, the familiar beat of music filtered through, and when he peeked inside, he saw someone already there—Pond, effortlessly gliding across the floor. His moves were smooth, confident, and precise, the kind of grace that Santa admired but wasn’t sure he could match.

He hesitated, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. For a second, the urge to turn around and leave hit him. But before he could act on it, Pond noticed him.

"Hey, Santa!" Pond called out with a friendly wave, pausing the music. "You here to practice?"

Santa forced a small smile and stepped inside. "Yeah, thought I’d give it a shot. It’s been a while since I’ve danced."

Pond nodded in understanding, wiping sweat from his brow. "I get it. That first time back after a tough experience is the hardest. But trust me, once you start, it’s easier than you think."

Santa glanced around the room, the polished floor and the mirrors reflecting the tension on his face. He could still feel the eyes of the crowd that had seen him fall, the laughter, and the whispers. But Pond’s easygoing demeanor gave him a sliver of hope. Dropping his bag in the corner, Santa stretched his arms, trying to loosen up.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice a little hesitant.

"Not at all," Pond replied, smiling. "Let’s see what you’ve got."

Santa took a deep breath, standing in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection. He was stiff at first, memories of his fall clouding his movements. But as the music played, and Pond danced beside him, guiding him with small tips, the rhythm slowly returned to his body.

"You’re doing great," Pond said, his tone encouraging. "Just keep going. Don’t think about anything else."

Santa smiled a little, starting to lose himself in the beat. The fear of falling again was still there, but maybe, just maybe, he was ready to face it head-on.

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

Perth paced inside of his dorm, his phone buzzing uselessly in his hand. For the past hour, he’d been trying to get a hold of Santa, but his calls kept going unanswered. Each attempt only made the knot in his stomach tighten.

Perth grimaced at the thought. That video.

It all started with that stupid video.

The memory flashed in his mind, clear as day—Santa’s fall at the campus venue. The crowd’s collective gasp and laughter, the moment he hit the ground, and the humiliation that followed. Perth had been there, recording it. He didn’t mean any harm initially, but once he had the video, he knew he could use it to his advantage. And that’s how the whole twisted game began.

Santa, feeling vulnerable and cornered, agreed to Perth’s terms. The “slave” dynamic was born from that moment—Perth pulling the strings, knowing he held the upper hand. But now, for the first time in weeks, Santa was slipping away, unreachable. Perth had grown used to knowing exactly where Santa was, what he was doing, and most importantly, that Santa was always at his beck and call.

He tapped his phone again, calling Santa one more time. Straight to voicemail. Perth’s patience snapped.

"Where the hell is he?" Perth muttered, shoving his phone into his pocket. He couldn’t sit still any longer. If Santa wasn’t going to answer, he’d find him himself.