THE GOVERNOR'S KEPT WOMAN (ENGLISH)

Chapter Five

When we arrived at the Capitol, I practically threw myself out of the car. I didn't even wait for Top to open the door for me.

"Wear this, Miss Lucinda."

Top held out the coat he was wearing. I merely looked at it before he draped it over my shoulders himself.

"People don't know who you are. I think it's better if they don't recognize you—for your safety—"

"I don't care if they recognize me, Top." I cut him off. "I'm my father's daughter. I'm not ashamed of that. Let's go."

I walked past him and headed toward the four-story building. Its pristine white exterior made it resemble a castle.

Before we could get any closer, employees began filing out of the building. Then my eyes landed on the last man to step outside.

Governor Colton Andreras.

I immediately quickened my pace.

He was chatting pleasantly with his staff before they dispersed in different directions. The governor headed toward the parking lot while the rest of his staff walked toward us.

I hurried even faster.

I couldn't let this chance slip away.

I spotted him on the other side of the parking lot, already about to get into his vehicle. Even so, I ran after him.

By the time I reached the SUV, everyone had already climbed inside. I knocked frantically on the tinted window where the governor was seated.

"Governor Colton Andreras, may I speak with you?" I pleaded.

If it weren't for Dad, I knew I would never be desperately chasing after a man like him.

Instead of lowering the window, his driver stepped out of the vehicle.

"I'm sorry, Miss," the driver said politely. "The governor has another appointment. He can't afford to be late."

I shook my head.

"Please tell him it's important. I really need to speak with him."

"Are you on the Governor's schedule? Do you have an appointment?"

"If you want to meet him," he continued, "aside from the hours he sets aside for the people of Santa Dominga, the only way is to schedule an appointment through his office."

"It'll only take a minute," I insisted. "I've already tried contacting the Governor's office to schedule one, but no one ever answers."

It was true.

I had sent emails, made countless phone calls, and even texted them.

I never received a single response.

"If no one has replied yet, then there are probably many people ahead of you," the driver explained. "Just wait for the office to respond. I'm sure you'll eventually be given a schedule. But for now, the Governor really has to leave."

He turned to climb back inside.

I pushed past him.

Before anyone could react, I climbed straight into the driver's seat.

Even Top, who had been right behind me, was too stunned to stop me.

The first thing that greeted me was the barrel of a gun pointed straight at my face.

The man in the passenger seat—the governor's bodyguard—held it steadily without a trace of hesitation.

"Miss! Get out of the car!" the driver shouted in panic.

He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me out, but I wrapped one arm tightly around the driver's seat.

Then I looked toward the man sitting behind the driver's seat.

The moment our eyes met, I was greeted by his completely blank expression.

"Governor..." I whispered. "Can we please talk?"

He simply stared at me.

Not a single word.

"Miss, please get out of the car," the driver begged while continuing to pull me.

I only hoped Top wouldn't interfere.

If he did, things would become even more chaotic.

I tightened my grip around the seat.

"Please... just a minute, Governor."

I didn't care if I looked pathetic.

This was for Dad.

"Miss, if you can't wait for your appointment to be scheduled, you can line up at the Governor's office tomorrow," the driver said. "Now please get out."

"Leave."

I froze.

The governor finally spoke.

Only then did I truly feel the cold, intimidating aura that surrounded him.

"I'm busy."

His gaze never left mine.

"Leave."

"Please... just one minute. I'm begging you."

"You have two options," the driver replied firmly. "Make an appointment... or wait in line."

"Leave."

The governor repeated the word.

His voice was ice-cold.

It was obvious.

It was painfully obvious he wasn't willing to spare me even a second of his time.

"I'll handle this."

Top's voice reached my ears.

He gently moved the driver aside before approaching me.

Without warning, he forcefully pulled me out of the vehicle.

No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't overpower him.

My strength was nothing compared to his.

"Top, let me go!" I cried. "I have to talk to the Governor!"

My tears finally spilled over.

The SUV had already started moving.

I wanted to chase after it.

But it sped away before I could even take another step.

"Top!" I sobbed. "Why did you stop me? That was my chance! Why did you pull me away?"

"Miss Lucinda."

I stopped.

Only then did I realize how completely I'd lost control.

I was almost hysterical.

Top placed both hands gently on my shoulders.

"Look at me."

I did.

"Stop crying."

I tried.

"Do you really think he would've talked to you after seeing you like that?" he asked softly. "You only would've driven him farther away."

He sighed.

"We'll come back tomorrow. We'll come early so we can be first in line. We'll also keep trying to get you an appointment."

He looked at me with genuine concern.

“We won't give up. But we shouldn't have to throw away our dignity just to earn a few minutes of his time.”

"No, Top."

I shook my head.

"I don't care if I lose my dignity."

Another tear rolled down my cheek.

"I'll beg him if I have to."

"I'll do anything..."

"...for Dad."

Top let out a quiet sigh before nodding.

He gently pulled me into a comforting embrace.

"There, there, Miss Lucinda. Tomorrow is another day. You'll get the chance to speak with Governor Colton."

He was right.

I just hoped tomorrow would finally be the day.

"Let's go home for now," he said. "Come on. Someone might recognize you here."

He guided me back to the car.

The moment I climbed inside, I broke down crying again.

"Stay strong, Miss Lucinda," Top said gently. "We're all here to help you."

He turned on the radio, raising the volume just enough before pulling the car onto the road.

Soft music soon filled the silence inside the car.

It helped distract me, if only for a little while.

We'll come back tomorrow.

That was the only thought I clung to as I forced myself to stop crying.

I also spent the drive rehearsing everything I wanted to say to the governor.

The next morning, I arrived at the Capitol before sunrise.

Top stood patiently beside me, carrying my bag.

I was given number seven in the queue.

Everyone waiting in line was there to ask the governor for help. They said he only met with citizens during specific hours. If he was unavailable, his staff would assist instead.

I silently prayed that today would finally be the day I'd get to speak with him.

"Good morning, everyone," one of the staff members announced. "Governor Colton is unavailable today as he is currently attending a meeting. His staff will be assisting you instead. Please remain in line, and when your number is called, proceed to the table assigned to you. Is that understood?"

I raised my hand.

"Will the Governor be coming to the Capitol at all?"

"He'll arrive around two this afternoon, ma'am," the woman answered.

I let out a disappointed sigh.

"T-Thank you."

I stepped out of line and returned my queue number.

There was no point staying in line any longer.

"What happened, Miss Lucinda?" Top asked.

I shook my head.

"The Governor isn't here. They said he'd arrive at two."

"Should we go home?"

"No."

I looked toward the Capitol building.

"We'll stay."

"I'll wait for him."

"I have to speak with him, Top."

"Let's wait in the car."

He nodded.

As we walked outside, he opened an umbrella over my head while carrying my bag.

The heat was unbearable.

I couldn't help feeling sorry for the people still waiting outside under the scorching sun.

"Top... is it always like this?" I asked curiously.

"I've never had to ask a politician for help before."

"This is my first time."

"So, seeing this many people lining up, hoping the Governor's office can help them... It feels strange."

"I'm not sure, Miss," Top admitted. "Would you like me to find out?"

"Yes."

"And check the last queue number too, so we'll know how many people are here."

I looked back at the line.

"Then buy bottled water and bread for everyone."

"We got here very early."

"So did they."

"I wonder if they've even had breakfast."

Top nodded before leaving.

He was still holding the umbrella over himself as he walked away.

Meanwhile, I remained inside the car.

The engine was off.

I rolled down the window to let the breeze in while using my portable fan.

I watched Top from a distance.

Instead of buying from convenience stores, he purchased everything from the street vendors nearby.

The vendors even helped him distribute the food and water to everyone waiting in line.

When he returned, he still had two bottles of water and two sandwiches left.

"Here, Miss Lucinda," he said, handing them to me. "You should eat. Don't worry—they're clean."

I stared at the sandwich.

I was used to dining in expensive restaurants.

Sometimes, the private chef at our house in Metro City prepared every meal for me.

I had never eaten food sold on the roadside.

But because Top had gone through so much effort...

I accepted it.

He even opened the bottle of water for me.

"Thank you."

"It was nothing, Miss Lucinda."

"Eat first. We'll probably be waiting here for a long time. Are you sure you don't want to go home first?"

I shook my head.

"No."

"We'll stay."

"The Governor might arrive at any moment."

"And when he arrived... I wouldn't let the opportunity slip away."

No matter how long it took...

I would keep waiting.