Taken by the Mafia ✧⁠*⁠。

Episode 22

Perth and Santa lay together in a comfortable silence, their bodies still tangled in the aftermath of their passionate moments. The warm late morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft, golden hue over them. Santa, feeling the heat between them still lingering in the air, finally broke the silence.

"Phi..." Santa's voice was soft but thoughtful. He turned his head slightly, looking at Perth through his lashes. "What about your boyfriend?"

Perth smiled, a soft, almost knowing smile that showed he’d already been thinking about it. He ran his hand through his slightly tousled hair and looked down at Santa with an expression that was both tender and serious.

"I’ll talk to him," Perth said simply, his voice firm but reassuring.

Santa gave a small nod, processing Perth's words. He didn’t know how to respond to that at first, but before he could get too lost in thought, Perth shifted beside him, leaning up on one elbow as he looked at Santa with that playful, teasing glint in his eyes.

"So," Perth started, his smirk returning, "are we boyfriends now?"

Santa’s reaction was instant—a scoff, and he rolled his eyes dramatically. "No."

Perth frowned, his eyebrows knitting together in genuine confusion. "Why not?"

Santa turned his head to meet Perth’s gaze, a hint of seriousness lacing his voice as he spoke, though the tone was still lighthearted. "You only kissed me, and that's all. I don’t have a good reason to have you as my boyfriend yet," Santa teased, but there was truth behind his words. His expression softened slightly as he added, "Besides, you're a mafia who took me and my brother from our father, so… yeah, I don’t have a good reason."

Perth sighed, the weight of his feelings surfacing as he gazed at Santa, who lay there, confident yet distant. "I’ll prove it to you, then," Perth said quietly, his voice full of determination. "Even a mafia like me deserves someone like you."

Santa chuckled softly, his lips curving into a smile that he couldn’t hide. "Bring it on, then." His tone was playful, but the smile showed that part of him was enjoying this new, bolder Perth.

Perth chuckled too, his eyes never leaving Santa’s face. In that moment, he realized how deeply happy he felt around him. He felt free, more alive—like Santa had sparked something inside him that had long been dormant.

But Santa wasn’t going to let Perth get too comfortable. "Now, get out," Santa said with a teasing grin, shooing Perth away like he was an unwanted guest.

Perth grinned back, accepting the playful dismissal. "Fine, fine. I’ll go," he said, slowly getting up and reaching for his shirt. He slipped it on, giving Santa one last look before heading for the door. But there was something in Perth’s smile—something warm, something real—that lingered even as he left.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Santa lay back on his bed, a small smile playing on his lips. "I can’t believe I’m falling for my kidnapper…" he whispered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. But his smile only grew wider as he stared at the ceiling, his heart racing with excitement and confusion.

Meanwhile, in his own room, Perth leaned against his door, recalling every moment they’d just shared. His phone buzzed in his hand, and he sighed, hoping it was Pond replying to his earlier message. But there was nothing—no reply. Perth frowned slightly and sent another text. "Can I come to your mansion? We need to talk." But still, no response.

Perth sighed, tossing his phone on the bed. His thoughts drifted back to Santa, and despite the uncertainty, a small smile tugged at his lips as he sat on the edge of the bed, thinking about everything that had just happened.