Chapter Nine
1452 Words
Chapter Nine
"Governor Andreras, can we please talk calmly?" I asked.
Top and I were once again waiting outside the government building where he worked. None of my calls or messages requesting an appointment had received a single response from his office. This was the only option I had left.
"I'm busy."
"When won't you be busy?" I challenged. "Will you only have time once my father has been convicted of a crime he didn't commit?"
"Talk to your father, woman. Ask him yourself. He knows he's a criminal. He knows he's a murderer."
His voice was filled with anger before he turned and walked away.
"He's innocent!" I shouted after him, frustration boiling over as he simply walked away.
"Then prove it!" he shouted back without stopping. "Prove his innocence in court."
Thankfully, no one else was around to witness the argument.
"That's exactly what we're trying to do! We'll prove he's innocent. But please... stay out of it."
"Miss, I have no intention of doing anything against the law. I'll help Dominador Abwerbos' family as much as I can. But I also know my limits. I'll stop helping only when I'm certain your father can no longer walk free."
Damn it.
That didn't make things any better.
I wanted nothing more than to hurl my shoe at that arrogant governor.
If he involved himself in this case, he could influence the people handling it.
The case could easily be swayed in the Abwerbos family's favor... even if my father was innocent.
Governor Andreras and his entourage eventually left.
It was exhausting chasing someone who had absolutely no intention of listening to my side—or my father's.
No matter how many times I tried, nothing ever changed.
He still intended to help them.
"Miss Lucinda, now we're waiting outside the governor's house. Don't you ever get tired of this?" Top asked.
"I spoke with Attorney Gaille earlier," I replied. "He said we have to convince Governor Andreras. Top, even someone as capable as Attorney Gaille admitted that we don't stand a chance if we're up against the Governor of Santa Dominga... especially an Andreras. If I can persuade him to step back and let the case proceed without his involvement... then Dad will still have a chance."
"Have you ever thought about the Abwerbos family?" Top asked quietly. "They're victims too."
"Victims?" I repeated bitterly. "My father is the one rotting in jail, Top. Yes, Dominador Abwerbos died, and that's tragic. But my father is still alive, and people are already wishing for his death as though he's beyond redemption. An innocent man is behind bars. I can see him losing hope with every passing day."
"But don't let your love for him blind you. The family he left behind is suffering too."
"I'm not blind, Top. We can help them if we have to. But they shouldn't force my father to take responsibility for a crime he didn't commit."
I'd keep fighting for my father.
Even if people thought I looked pathetic.
Maybe I was desperate.
I knew the Abwerbos family deserved sympathy.
The man who died deserved justice.
But my father deserved justice too.
"This has become too personal, Miss Lucinda," Top sighed. "Let's just bother him in his office from now on. Not at his house."
"It doesn't matter where he is," I said firmly. "I'll go wherever I have to. I need him to agree."
"You're unbelievably stubborn, Miss Lucinda," Top muttered with a tired smile of defeat.
The moment the gate opened, I hurried out of the car.
The governor's vehicle had just arrived.
But they must have noticed me.
Instead of driving through the gate, the convoy accelerated past without stopping.
My shoulders slumped as I climbed back into the car.
"So... are we leaving?" Top asked.
I simply nodded.
But I'd be back.
That, I promised myself.
Several more days passed.
I visited Dad regularly, hoping to lift both our spirits, even if only a little.
But with each passing day, the changes in him became more obvious.
He had lost so much weight.
Sometimes I even wondered if they were starving him.
Whenever I brought food, he practically rushed to eat it.
He ate every bite as though he hadn't had a proper meal in days.
His eyes welled with tears as he ate.
"Are they treating you well here, Dad?" I asked softly. "Are they feeding you properly?"
Dad glanced at one of the guards before answering.
"Y—Yes, sweetheart. They're... they're treating me well."
"Are you sure?"
He forced a smile.
"I am, Inda. Don't worry about me." Then he looked at me with concern. "What about you? Are you going back to the city? Santa Dominga is boring for someone like you."
I almost smiled.
That had always been my excuse.
I hated coming back to this province.
Back then, I told Dad it was because I was busy with school.
But the truth was...
There were things here I wanted to avoid.
Instead of asking me to come home, he was always the one who traveled just to see me.
"I'm not leaving, Dad," I said firmly. "I'm staying right here until you come home.”
He looked at me for a long moment.
"And... what if that day never comes?" he asked quietly.
"Dad, don't be so negative!" I protested immediately.
That was exactly why I was doing everything I could to get him out of there. I wanted to see my father free—not trapped in a place like this.
"My child, it's better if you prepare yourself for the worst. I've already asked Attorney Gaille to take care of the paperwork for the properties I'll be leaving behind—"
"Your last will?" I interrupted.
He nodded without hesitation.
"Seriously? Dad, what are you trying to tell me? Are you really sure you're okay in here? Because it sounds like you're preparing to leave me."
"I'm alright," he said with a faint smile. "I just want to make sure you'll be taken care of, no matter what happens. I've also decided to sell the company."
"What?"
"You never wanted to run it anyway, right? The company needs someone who has the time to manage it properly. I won't be able to take care of it anymore."
The way he spoke...
It was as if he'd already accepted that he would never leave this place.
My eyes burned with tears once again, but I refused to let him see me cry.
Every goodbye felt heavier than the last."
"You've been crying for quite a while now. It's okay, Miss Lucinda."
We were already on our way home, but the weight in my chest was so overwhelming that all I could do was cry.
I was too emotional.
My feelings always got the better of me.
But I was about to discover that things could get even worse.
Before we could even make it home, Attorney Gaille called.
"I just received a call from the detention center," he said. "Your father collapsed and lost consciousness."
"What?" My heart nearly stopped. "Did they take him to the hospital? Which hospital are they taking him to, Attorney?"
He let out a weary sigh.
"They only informed me about what happened. He's still at the detention facility. They said someone has already examined him."
"What?" My voice cracked in disbelief. "Why didn't they take him to the hospital? Dad might need to undergo more tests. Attorney, isn't there any way we can get him the medical care he needs? He's not okay."
"Calm down, hija," he said gently. "I'll do everything I can. I'll keep you updated on his condition. For now, you should try to get some rest."
No.
There was no way I could rest.
"Top, take me to Governor Colton Andreras."
"There you go again," he sighed. "He can't help you, Miss Lucinda."
"Top, take me to the governor. I'll beg him if I have to. I don't care if I have to humiliate myself. Dad needs me right now, Top. I can't just stand by and do nothing."
"This is the last time, Miss Lucinda," he said as he started the engine. "I may only be your bodyguard, but if this doesn't work, I'm going to stop you from chasing after him."
Then he turned the car toward the road leading to the governor's residence.
Dad needed to get out of jail.
He needed proper medical examinations to make sure he was truly all right.
But aside from kneeling before the governor...
Aside from begging him with everything I had...
What else could I possibly do to make Governor Colton Andreras hear my plea?
- Writer
