In Bed with The Governor (R+18 English)

Chapter 4

“Sweetheart, there’s a party being held by your stepfather’s political party. Come with us so they can meet you,” my mother said.

“Pardon?”

“It’ll look good if the three of us are seen together. Especially once word gets around that Yoa is a family man. It’ll be good for his political career. His older brother is running against him for governor, so he needs to improve his image even more. It’s a good idea for you to come with us. People like politicians who appear family-oriented. We need to support him, even if it’s only in this way. It’s the least we can do to repay him for his kindness toward us.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Sweetheart, don’t you want to come? It’s okay if you don’t,” my mother added.

I looked at her and gave her a small smile.

I was getting bored staying in the house anyway. Classes wouldn’t start until tomorrow. Besides, I was excited about going to college, even though I didn’t know anyone there yet.

“S-Sure.”

My mother immediately smiled and hugged me.

“Yoa will be happy, sweetheart. Thank you for agreeing.”

I looked at her.

“Mom, are you happy with your life now?”

Then another question came to mind.

“Is it true that the Governor really just picked you up from the streets?”

My mother didn’t answer right away. She simply looked at me.

“Yes, sweetheart. That’s why I’m incredibly grateful to Yoa. I would never have experienced this kind of luxury if it weren’t for him. I might still be struggling in the mud somewhere. I might never have been able to take you out of the orphanage. We might have spent our entire lives apart because of poverty.”

I had so many questions I wanted to ask her, but I decided to let them go.

“All right, sweetheart. Go get ready, okay? Pick one of the dresses I bought for you. I know that whichever one you choose will make you look even more beautiful. You really take after your mother.”

I smiled.

After she left, I let out a long sigh and finally stood up.

I looked through the clothes until my eyes landed on an aqua-blue off-shoulder dress.

I picked it up and put it on.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I smiled.

It suited me perfectly.

I fixed my hair and pinned one side back so it wouldn’t look messy. My black hair was long, straight, and naturally smooth. I had never gone through any treatments to make it that way. Back in the province, I took good care of it using coconut oil that a friend of mine sold.

There were also several makeup products on the vanity, though I barely knew how to use most of them.

I only knew how to apply powder and lip tint because I had seen my classmates using them.

I put on some powder and lip tint before my eyes landed on the mascara.

Curious, I picked it up and carefully applied it to my lashes.

I smiled.

My eyelashes looked even longer and fuller.

“Adriana? Do you need help? You’ll be leaving soon.”

I heard Bulma’s voice outside.

“Y-Yes. I’ll be out in a moment.”

I gave myself one last look in the mirror before leaving my room.

When I reached the living room, I saw my mother standing there.

She immediately smiled when she saw me.

“I knew it! You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart. Look at her, Yoa. Isn’t she beautiful?”

I suddenly felt awkward when Yoa looked at me.

His gaze lasted only a few seconds.

“Decent enough. Let’s go. I hate wasting my time.”

He walked ahead of us.

My mother took my hand.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

We left the house.

I sat quietly in the backseat, staring out the window.

“Are you okay?” my mother asked.

I nodded.

Not long after, we arrived at a five-star hotel.

Valter Hotel.

Judging by the name, I assumed it belonged to my stepfather’s family.

As soon as we got out of the car, flashing cameras immediately turned toward us.

I looked away instinctively.

My mother took my hand and whispered,

“Smile, sweetheart. Just smile.”

Even though I felt awkward, I forced a smile.

There were so many questions in the eyes of the people around us, but no one dared to ask anything.

We went inside and headed straight toward a long table at the front.

“Governor,” several men in suits greeted Yoa. Their wives and children stood beside them.

We took our seats.

I immediately lowered my gaze because almost everyone seemed to be looking in our direction.

“Good evening, everyone. I’d like to introduce you to my only daughter. I know all of you have been curious about who she is. And yes, she’s our only daughter, Adriana.”

My mother smiled proudly.

“Adriana, these are your stepfather’s political allies and friends.”

I gave them a small greeting and smiled.

The program officially began, and although I was already getting bored, I endured it.

My mother was busy talking to her friends while my stepfather was surrounded by older men from his political party.

If someone didn’t know better, they might think he was only running for councilor because he was the youngest among them.

But there was something different about him.

I could see the respect in the way people looked at him and carried themselves around him.

He really was incredibly young for someone with so much power.

“Hi!”

I turned around and saw a young man smiling at me.

He looked about my age.

“H-Hello.”

“Can I sit here?”

I nodded.

He looked decent and friendly enough.

“I’m Kywe, but you can just call me Kai.”

“K-Kywe,” I introduced myself.

“I had no idea Tita Emma had a daughter. You’re pretty.”

I immediately looked away.

I wasn’t used to being complimented.

He laughed.

“Are you shy?”

I nodded quietly.

I knew I probably looked like I was being overly coy, but what could I do?

“That’s my dad,” he said, looking toward the front.

I followed his gaze.

His father was talking to Yoa.

I swallowed when I noticed that Yoa was looking in our direction.

Kai’s father waved at us, and Kai smiled back.

Yoa, however, had the complete opposite reaction.

There was no expression on his face.

Only his eyebrows were drawn together.

“He’s running for mayor this time. Our family is confident he’ll win, especially since he’s part of your dad’s political party,” Kai explained.

I immediately felt the hairs on my arms stand.

“Why? Don’t you call Governor your daddy? Come to think of it, you two look more like siblings. He looks like your older brother. Your mother’s a cougar.”

I scratched my head.

He wasn’t exactly wrong.

“Who wouldn’t fall for your mom? You take after her. You’re beautiful. Her beauty really shows in you.”

“I’m getting uncomfortable,” I admitted softly.

He smiled.

“I’m sorry.”

I shook my head.

He seemed like a nice guy despite his teasing.

“I’m new to their household. I’ve lived in the province my whole life.”

Kai nodded.

“If I’d known girls from the province were this beautiful, I would’ve grown up there instead.”

I rolled my eyes.

He was definitely a flirt.

Still, I found myself comfortable talking to him.

“I’m glad your dad joined my stepfather’s party,” I said.

Kai nodded.

“They’re good business friends. Governor Yoa is an amazing man. I look up to him. I want to follow in his footsteps someday. My dad believes in him, and he’s a good man.”

It seemed like everyone I asked had nothing but good things to say about my stepfather.

“My family owes him a lot. He was the one who helped us get back to where we belonged. Elections here can get pretty chaotic because it’s always brothers fighting against each other.”

Kai glanced toward Yoa.

“Luckily, Gov is already well-known in this place. He’s helped so many people, and you can see how progressive this town has become.”

I nodded.

“His brother is his opponent, right?”

“Yeah. And he’s a well-known Baltazar too.”

Kai lowered his voice.

“All the Baltazars are intimidating and frightening. They’re nothing like ordinary people. The amount of power they hold is unbelievable. They’re known even outside the country. So many people want to get close to their family, but getting into Gov’s personal life is much harder. He’s different.”

He chuckled.

“Did you know my older sister was completely heartbroken because of him? She really liked him, but then she found out he was already married to your mom.”

He shrugged.

“But don’t worry. That’s just how life is. She’s happily married now anyway.”

“There are just some people and things that are meant to pass through our lives,” I said softly.

Kai smiled.

“Looks like you two are getting along.”

We both turned toward the voice.

It was Kai’s father, smiling at us.

I immediately felt embarrassed.

Then Yoa sat down beside me.

My entire body stiffened.

I could barely feel myself.

It felt like I was going deaf from the pounding of my own heart.

“Have you seen your mom?”

I turned toward him, confused.

“H-Huh?”

Yoa’s forehead immediately creased.

I could see the irritation in his expression.

“I said, have you seen your mom? The son of De Guzman talked to you and suddenly you lost your ability to think properly.”

My expression became unreadable.

What exactly was he implying?

I was only losing focus because he was sitting beside me.

His presence made me nervous.

I was always afraid of making a mistake around him.

I was afraid to even speak to him because he always seemed angry.

“I was just thinking about something,” I answered.

Yoa stared at me as if he couldn’t believe what I had said.

“Really? Looking at you earlier, it seemed like you really enjoyed having him talk to you.”

His jaw tightened.

“Are you that hungry for attention?”

My mouth fell open.

I could see the muscle in his jaw moving.

“Close your mouth, asjhfkjkf.”

I couldn’t make out the rest because he spoke too quietly.

“What?”

He looked at me, clearly even more annoyed.

“Don’t you want me here?”

I finally gathered enough courage to speak.

“I’m only here because Mom told me to come. She said it was to support you in your political career. You should have told me at home if you didn’t want me here. I wouldn’t have come.”

Yoa looked surprised by my response.

“Are you making me responsible now?”

I immediately fell silent.

He looked like he was running out of patience.

“Now you won’t talk?”

His voice hardened.

“Maybe you’re forgetting, Adriana. I am your stepfather. You don’t speak to your stepfather like that.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

I needed to calm myself down.

We were at a party.

I had to control myself.

I couldn’t just snap back at him because of his irrational accusations.

“I’m just avoiding trouble,” I said.

His eyebrows furrowed again.

“Don’t trust people who like telling you how beautiful you are. People who compliment you every chance they get. Those aren’t your people.”

He stared at me.

“Don’t believe people who are too nice to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You have a brain, don’t you?”

His voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Use it. It looks like it’s already rusting.”

I clenched my fists in anger.

How dare he insult me?

I looked at him.

To my surprise, he gave me a devilish smile.

“Are you angry?”

His eyes narrowed.

“You should be. Because I’m not happy either.”

And there I was, left completely speechless.

My stepfather was unbelievable.

Sometimes, I honestly wondered if there was something wrong with him.