THE GOVERNOR'S KEPT WOMAN (ENGLISH)

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

"I'll give you what you want. My body? Fine. But help my father."

The cold seeped into my bones. My knees trembled slightly, and my chest tightened from the bitter chill. It felt as though the living room was air-conditioned, even though there didn't seem to be one.

"It's illegal," he said evenly, "but I can make it happen."

I stared at him.

"But this arrangement won't end after just one night, Lucinda."

He emphasized every word, making sure I understood exactly what he meant.

"I—I know." My voice shook. "I'm willing."

For my father.

Even if it meant making a deal with a devil who took advantage of my desperation... I would do it.

"Good answer." His expression remained unreadable. "But the moment I start moving things for your father... you'll never see him again."

His words exploded inside my head.

I was doing all of this so I could be with my father.

"W-What? Why?" I asked in panic. "He'll wonder where I am. He'll look for me."

"He'll be free... and he'll finally receive the medical treatment he needs. But the two of you will never see each other again, because I'm taking you to my private residence."

His private residence?

Was he planning to keep me there?

That certainly sounded like it.

"W—What?" My mind stalled, struggling to process what he'd just said.

"I can give your father his freedom," he continued. "But I can't give you the chance to stay together. So, tell me... have you changed your mind?"

He was testing my resolve.

"No."

My answer came without hesitation.

"I can sacrifice my own freedom for my father."

He held my gaze, silently measuring the conviction behind my words.

"Fine. Go pack your belongings. You're coming with me."

I swallowed hard.

"M-My bodyguard... Top... he'll object."

"I know. That's why you'll be the one to talk to him. I don't like unnecessary headaches, Lucinda. So make sure he understands."

"Y—Yes, Governor."

I lowered my head.

I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes any longer.

"You may leave. By tomorrow morning, I expect you to be here at my house with all of your belongings."

"Y—Yes, Governor."

"And if you become a problem for me..."

He paused.

"...your father will bear the consequences."

"Governor!"

"You object?"

Fear gripped me once more, and I quickly shook my head.

"I—I'm leaving now... to take care of everything."

He merely gestured toward the door, dismissing me.

Every step I took felt unbearably heavy.

Could I really give my body to that man?

"Are you all right?"

I found Top waiting outside the gate. He was drenched, as though he'd tried to follow me into the mansion despite the rain.

"Y-Yes, Top. Let's go home."

Only then did I realize I still had the towel with me.

I'd carried it all the way home.

I needed to talk to Top.

Once my father was released, I planned to leave him in Top's care.

I knew this wasn't the right way.

It wasn't due process.

But that would take too long...

And I wasn't sure my father's body could survive a prolonged stay behind bars.

He's innocent.

That was the only thought keeping my conscience from crushing me over the illegal means that might secure his freedom.

I still didn't know exactly what Governor Andreras intended to do.

But if it bypassed due process...

Then it was still wrong.

"Top, let's talk later after you've changed."

I was already heading upstairs when I said it.

"All right. I'll come to your room."

Truthfully, I already knew how he'd react once I told him about my decision.

He wouldn't approve.

I'd come to see him as an older brother.

And no brother would ever accept his sister agreeing to something like this.

After taking a shower and changing into fresh clothes, I waited for him.

Soft classical music drifted through my room, filling the silence.

It was the only sound that could be heard.

Three knocks pulled me from my thoughts.

The door opened, and Top stepped inside, already dressed for bed.

A white T-shirt.

Black sweatpants.

He looked handsome.

He really was an attractive man.

"Miss Lucinda?"

"Sit down, Top. There are some things I need to tell you."

He sat on the empty couch across from me and waited patiently.

"My father's getting out, Top."

His brows immediately knitted together.

"What do you mean he's getting out?"

"Governor Colton Andreras has agreed to help us secure my father's release. That's what should happen, isn't it? My father deserves his freedom."

"Why?" he demanded. "Why did he suddenly change his mind?"

"We made a deal..."

I lowered my eyes.

"A deal where I give him my body."

"f**k!"

The curse exploded from his lips.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

"What kind of insanity is this, Lucinda?"

For the first time, he didn't call me Miss Lucinda.

Just...

Lucinda.

And I could feel every ounce of his anger.

"For my father, Top."

"For your father?" Top scoffed. "Or have you fallen for that governor? Is that why you're willing to give yourself to him?"

"Top, you've got it all wrong." I shook my head. "This is only for my father. He needs to get out of prison and receive proper medical treatment. That's the only reason I agreed."

My voice trembled.

"My father is all I have left, Top. That's why I'm willing to do anything for him. Please... I hope you can understand. Agreeing to Governor Andreras's terms wasn't easy. I simply chose the path that would free my father the fastest."

I forced myself to meet his eyes.

"You... I want you to look after him once he's released. Help my father. Protect him."

"You're giving him your body..." His jaw tightened. "But from the sound of it, you're disappearing forever. Explain this to me properly, Miss Lucinda."

He rubbed his temples, clearly trying to make sense of what I had just told him.

"He's taking me to live with him, Top. I don't even know where. But what does it matter anymore?" I managed a bitter smile. "The only thing that matters is that he keeps his end of our deal."

I looked down at my hands.

"It's just my body, Top. In exchange... my father gets his freedom."

A tear slipped down my cheek.

"I'd rather be the one to sacrifice than let my father rot in prison. He's all that matters to me now. Please try to understand."

I swallowed hard.

"You're the only person I can tell this to. I don't even know if the governor will allow me to contact my father again. But if my father asks where I am..."

I paused.

"...tell him I went on a cruise."

I forced a weak smile.

"I'll find a way to contact him... both of you."

"You're really willing to throw your life away?"

"Even if I have to drag myself through the mud..." I wiped away my tears. "I don't care."

My sobs became harder to control.

"My father has carried every responsibility in our family his entire life. I saw how much he struggled, yet I chose to leave Santa Dominga."

I covered my face as my shoulders shook.

"I know he's exhausted, Top."

I broke down completely.

"So, this time..."

I choked on my tears.

"...it's my turn to help him."

"How about this?" Top said suddenly. "I'll get your father out of prison instead. The three of us could disappear and never come back."

"No."

I shook my head immediately.

"You won't do that, Top. That would only make my father's life even harder. Let the governor handle it his way."

"Miss Lucinda..." His voice cracked with frustration. "Did you really expect me to simply accept your decision?"

"No."

I looked him straight in the eye.

"But if I have to kneel in front of you and beg you to support my decision..."

My voice faltered.

"...then I'll do that too."

"f**k it, Lucinda!"

His outburst echoed through the room.

"I've come to think of you as my own sister, and now you're telling me this?"

He raked a hand through his hair.

"We don't even know that governor. He's just going to use you."

His breathing grew heavier.

"I've spent all this time protecting you..."

His fists clenched.

"And this is how it ends?"

He looked at me with helpless anger.

"I'm your bodyguard. My job is to protect you. How am I supposed to do that when you're choosing this?"

"I never wanted any of this, Top."

My tears wouldn't stop.

"But I'm doing it for my father."

I took a shaky breath.

"No one else can ever know about this."

I reached for his hand.

"I trust you more than anyone."

I squeezed it gently.

"You'll do everything I asked, won't you?"

He nodded.

But it was obvious every part of him was fighting against it.

Even so, he helped me pack my belongings.

He also promised to drive me to Governor Andreras's house the following morning.

No matter how heavy my heart felt...

I had already made my choice.

I was going with the Governor of Santa Dominga.

"Top, my father—"

"You've reminded me enough times already." He frowned. "That's enough. I remember everything you told me."

We climbed out of the car.

He carried my suitcase out of the trunk.

The moment we faced each other, I wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Damn that governor." His voice was low and full of fury as he hugged me back. "The moment I get the chance... I'll kill him."

"Go now, Top."

I reluctantly pulled away.

"Leave me here."

Just then, another vehicle came to a stop.

One of its passengers stepped out, approached us, and took my suitcase.

"This way, Miss Lucinda."

It was Governor Andreras's bodyguard.

I nodded before glancing back at Top one last time.

"I'm leaving."

I forced a smile.

"Take care of my father."

He looked away.

That was all the answer I needed.

I allowed the bodyguard to lead me toward their vehicle.

He opened the rear passenger door for me.

Governor Colton Andreras was already seated inside, speaking on his phone.

Without a word, I climbed in and fastened my seatbelt.

My hands were ice-cold.

My heart pounded relentlessly.

But he didn't notice.

He was too busy with his call.

My suitcase was loaded into the back of the vehicle.

Once the bodyguard returned to the front passenger seat, the car pulled away.

Through the window, I caught one last glimpse of Top standing there...

He stood there, watching as the car carried me farther and farther away.

A deep sigh escaped my lips.

I leaned back against the seat, slipped my earbuds into my ears, turned on my music, and closed my eyes.

After last night's heavy rain, my body had been feeling miserable.

By morning, I'd already developed a fever.

As the music filled my ears...

I slowly drifted off to sleep.