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32. Meeting the Acting Coach
Last Updated:
2025-03-27 15:17:08
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His Hired Lover 33. A Fight and A Wedding Schedule
SOFIA’s POVIt was already past 7 PM when I stepped out of SCS. After that grueling, nerve-wracking first lesson with Helena, Hugo had introduced me to some people at Star Channel. And since he was, without a doubt, a chatterbox, we ended up in his office, sharing a glass of wine while he rambled about his long experience as a manager.Walking out of the building, I spotted Valeria waiting, sharp and on time as always. She gave me a quick nod before leading me to the waiting car. Even in the dim streetlights, she carried herself with authority. Her short, tousled hair and intimidating posture gave her a boyish edge, but there was something undeniably attractive about her. Maybe it was the way her sharp brows framed her deep-set eyes or how her full lips curved into that rare smirk. Sometimes, I caught myself staring. Not that it meant anything—my DNA just wasn’t wired that way, no matter how much Valeria looked more than a gender bender than a bodyguard.“You’d be surprised, Miss Sofia
Last Updated : 2025-03-28His Hired Lover 34. Wedding Gowns And A Call
Beatrice strode through the elegant hallways of Maison Éminence, her heels clicking against the marble floors of Manila’s premier luxury boutique in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow over gold-accented interiors, while ivory-draped fitting rooms lined the walls like private sanctuaries. Glass cases displayed rare Hermès Birkins and diamond-encrusted stilettos, each piece carefully curated for the country’s most powerful women. The air carried a faint trace of agarwood and fresh peonies, a fragrance as rich as the clientele it welcomed.With a flick of her wrist, she approached the front desk, looking down at the petite receptionist over her Gucci glasses. “I have a reservation with Mrs. Rita Alcaraz.”“One moment, please,” the receptionist replied, her fingers twitching slightly over the keyboard as she stole a nervous glance at Beatrice’s poised stance.“She’s waiting for you at the private lounge, Miss Beatrice.”Without a word, Beatrice turned on he
Last Updated : 2025-03-29His Hired Lover 35. A Shotgun Wedding
SOFIA’S POVWhen Rios told me we were going to a special place, I didn’t expect to step into a private venue at Okada Manila, where a judge was already waiting for us. The room radiated modern elegance with its ambient lighting and glass windows overlooking the bay. The delicate fragrance of white roses, baby's breath, and white snapdragons mingled with the faint scent of fresh linen and luxury. Also, a soft piano melody played in the background, creating an intimate ambiance.I barely had time to process the setting before Valeria and Kyle took their seats across from my manager, Hugo. The shock on my face was evident as I saw him here. Beside my fabulous manager stood a striking brunette in a red silk midi dress with a plunging neckline, the kind of effortlessly expensive outfit that only someone with generational wealth could pull off.She was tall, stunning, and polished to perfection. Her flawless blowout and those subtle diamond earrings hinted the kind of confidence that came fr
Last Updated : 2025-03-31His Hired Lover 36. A Trip After Being Wed
Rios ended the call, his fingers tightening around the phone as he sighed. It was finally done. By tomorrow, the news of his wedding would ripple through his family like a storm, and he was sure it would send everyone, except Sasha, into a frenzy. His father would be the angriest. Rios could already picture his face turning a deep, furious red the moment he heard of the incredulous news.“Rios.” Sofia’s melodic voice cut through his thoughts. “They’re looking for you at the banquet.”He glanced up, meeting her gentle gaze. “Yeah, I just need to make a few more calls.”She offered him a small smile before turning back toward the private dining hall. The event had been possible because of his trusted cousin, but it was Sofia who had brought it to life.“Sofia,” he called out.She paused with a confused look on her made-up face.“Yes?”He reached for her hand. Her delicate finger was now adorned with the diamond ring he had bought for their wedding even before drafting the contract.“I ju
Last Updated : 2025-04-01His Hired Lover 37. Sasha Alcaraz
“That little girl. She looks pretty enough.”The man beside Sasha gave a brief nod before clicking the mouse. In just a second, the monitor flickered, pulling up a series of images of a little girl named Amanda.“She’s one of the kids delivered from the orphanage, Madame.”Sasha’s gaze hardened. A sharp breath flared her nostrils as she studied the girl’s face. “How old is she?”“She’s ten, Madame.”Sasha tilted her head slightly, examining those Bambi eyes and the clear complexion of the girl. If Rios hadn’t run off to Baguio with his new wife, this wretched task wouldn’t have fallen to her. Normally, the managers handled selections, but with the international Mafia heads gathering in two weeks, Rios had insisted that everything had to be perfect. Every child had to be placed accordingly, and she—his most trusted cousin—would make sure of that.Just this morning, she had toured the laboratory where surgeons in blood-smeared gloves worked in chilling silence. She had kept her expressio
Last Updated : 2025-04-02His Hired Lover 38. A Promise For Later
SOFIA’s POVThe car we had been riding in hummed to a stop at the entrance of El Retiro, and before Rios could even reach for the door handle, a uniformed attendant had swung it open with a bow.“Welcome to El Retiro, Mr. and Mrs. Alcaraz.”Mrs. Alcaraz. I didn’t think I would ever get used to that.Rios stepped out first before turning to offer me a hand. A breeze curled through my hair as I stepped onto the cobblestone driveway, the soles of my white sneakers squeaking against the stone. The cold weather had always been the reason why Baguio City had been the summer capital of the country.Before I could take in the estate properly, another uniformed man had appeared at my side, holding a silver tray. On it, two elegant flutes of champagne caught the morning light.“Your welcome drinks, Mr. and Mrs. Alcaraz.”I glanced at Rios, who had already reached for his glass with an amused smile.“Champagne at ten-thirty in the morning?” I murmured, taking my own flute hesitantly.He clinked h
Last Updated : 2025-04-03His Hired Lover 39. Drunken Frenzy
SOFIA’s POVBefore I could get another gulp of my wine, Rios’s warm hand stopped me from my idiotic decision.“That bottle is already half full. You might want to slow down a bit.”I playfully slapped his right cheek before smilingly pouring another into my glass. “Don’t worry about me,” I said, with a slight slur in my words. “I can handle my poison.”“Given how red your cheeks are now, I doubt you know what you’re talking about.”My brows furrowed as I heard him say that. “H-how dare you, Rios,” I said with a pout, jabbing my finger at his chest. “Are you saying I’m already drunk? Heck! This is just wine! It only has about 12 to 14 percent of alcohol, so how could I get drunk with this… starry bright and fruity Feli—” I squinted at the label, the letters shimmering like little fish swimming on the bottle.“Felicette Rosé,” he corrected.“Yeah, that one.”“Well, let me tell you… you already have a slurred speech, you’ve been giggling, your milky skin looks flushed, and you’re more tal
Last Updated : 2025-04-04His Hired Lover 40. A Busy Market and A Wounded Arm
Rios watched the steam rise from Sofia’s coffee cup, the morning light catching the curve of her cheekbone. She sat cross-legged on their hotel bed, one of his shirts draped over her. She looked so ethereal that he couldn’t stop smiling no matter how much he tried to stop himself.“What are you smiling about?” Sofia asked.“Nothing,” he said, sending a peck on her lips. “Come here.”They cuddled on top of the bed. The city outside was barely stirring. Inside, it was quiet, just the sound of cutlery clinking and the occasional laugh from her teasing comments. She looked undone and peaceful.“I know you’re excited to stroll around Baguio.”“I am,” she chirped, setting the cup on the small table beside their breakfast in bed. She straddled him, his lips brushing hers. Those simple movements once again awakened the junior between his legs. The intense physical pull toward his wife clouded his mind all over again. He pressed his lips to hers, and before he knew it, they had made love once m
Last Updated : 2025-04-05
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His Hired Lover 63. Escape
SOFIA’s POVI didn’t wait for Rios after the flight. I went straight to my bedroom and hurled some clothes into the suitcase.I felt so mad inside, but I wasn’t going to say that in front of his face. I already told him I called Mina and the two of us were going somewhere. My clothes looked wrinkled and uneven, but I didn’t care. My passport sat open on the desk beside my phone. One word blinked at me from the itinerary email: Spain. I had to breathe. I had to remind myself to continue existing outside of him.The door swung open hard. Then Rios's voice cracked through the silence like glass. "You're going where?"I didn’t turn. "Spain."He stepped in, closing the door with a thud. "Now? After everything that just happened? We just came back from the Tribunal."I zipped the suitcase halfway. "Exactly because of everything that just happened.""Sofia, you can’t do this. You're still legally bound to me. And the contract—""Yes, I know," I snapped. "And I am not running away, okay? But
His Hired Lover 62. Of Grief and Revenge
The funeral passed quietly. The Sandoval estate, tucked behind high iron gates and hedges too well-groomed for grief, saw only a handful of visitors. Men in charcoal suits exchanged brief nods as women in their black dresses stood side by side. Many of those who attended Beatrice Sandoval’s last farewell were old associates, syndicate men, and loyalists who owed their lives or fortunes to Rodulf. There were no sobs and no flowery speeches. The grieving father only saw grim faces and a sky too blue for a coffin where his daughter lay. Rodulf stood still, his hand resting on the coffin's edge. He didn’t blink as it was lowered into the earth. The priest mumbled something about peace and eternal light, but Rodulf heard only a voice from years ago. He could hear the younger and brighter version of his daughter. She was a brat indeed, but at least she was alive.“Daddy, please! There's nothing I want to marry with, only Rios. You have to find a way for him and me to get married.”She was
His Hired Lover 61. Clarity
Rios walked beside his wife and felt like he was leading a queen into the throng of people beneath the stairs. Her delicate hand rested lightly on his arm, and the mask simmering under the ballroom lights hid the bruises on her pretty face. He had managed to convince her to come with him to this last event of the annual tribunal, and he was prouder than ever to call her his. The silk of her gown clung beautifully to her curves, and—God, her eyes—were the only thing in the room that kept him grounded. He had seen many beautiful women. He had watched them crawl through diamonds and power, but Sofia had that gaze that automatically pulled every eye in the room. Just like what was happening now. As they stepped into the masquerade, everyone turned. Even the big Mafia bosses nodded at every step they took. They were looking at her. He felt proud of his wife, but his fingers still tensed against her arm. Every fucking one of them seemed to be undressing her—and not even pretending they we
His Hired Lover 60. Fire and Pain
SOFIA’S POVThe sheets felt like velvet against my raw skin, but every movement sent sparks of pain shooting up my ribs.Violet bruises were still decorating my arms, and deep purple and sickly yellow could be seen in some areas of my thighs and face. These were souvenirs from Beatrice's goons before the duel. And when I fought with Beatrice, my lower lip was split and felt tender to the touch. One eye still refused to open fully. It still looked puffed and angry that I refused to look at the mirror. Other bruises had also started to bloom darkly over my ribs and arms, purpling my thighs, and feathering my jawline. I barely recognized myself.And I remembered.I remembered the girl who used to flinch from her own reflection. The girl with the crooked, ugly nose, and the girl whose cheek had been carved by a childhood accident. I left my hometown and found a guy who financed my whims, then I had surgeries later. Back then, before the surgical operation, I hated every inch of my face.
His Hired Lover 59. A Choice to Consider
A voice thundered from the head of the tribunal table. "You are given a choice. Become officially part of the Mafia or—"But before the threat could settle, Sofia’s voice cut through the thick, suffocating air. "No," she said sharply as her fists clenched at her sides. "I just did what I needed to do."Sasha looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with Aunt Rita as they listened to Sofia's voice filling the place. Sasha felt a knot forming in her stomach. Why would Sofia turn down an offer that would surely shield her against the Sandovals’ wrath? Just earlier, Sofia had survived the duel against that spoiled Mafia heiress, Beatrice. The bitch was finally dead—not by their hands, but it didn’t matter. Rios’s contract wife had done it for them. Relief flickered in Sasha’s chest, but it tangled with a gnawing worry. Surely, Beatrice’s death was bound to blow up the tension between the Sandovals and their family. Across the field, Rios was already leading Sofia out, cradling her like she
His Hired Lover 58. The Duel
SOFIA’s POVI woke up in a cell. Concrete walls, gray and sweating with cold, welcomed my vision. When I looked around, I only saw a single steel bed bolted to the floor. There was also one toilet in the corner. It was clean, but rust was forming around its edges. My wrists were chained to the wall, heavy and short enough that I couldn’t sit up straight. Also, my face throbbed. Each pulse sent a sharp and steady ache in my jaw and my cheekbones. I then remembered the two men in masks. Their knuckles cracked before they landed their blows. They made sure to knock the breath out of me, again and again, until all I could do was gasp and fade. Then I remembered the wooden box after that. I felt I was floating before fading out again.And now, I was in a cell.“Help!” I shouted. “Somebody… help me!” But only the echoes of my voice answered my call.Suddenly, the metal door creaked. I flinched and felt a slight relief upon seeing my husband.“Oh, babe,” he whispered as he stepped inside, c
His Hired Lover 57. In Session
Once everyone was seated, the room fell into silence as Rios stepped into the circle. Torchlight flickered off the walls, and only the rustle of papers and the waves outside could be heard. At the center of the round table, the thick and almost ancient Secret Ledger lay unopened. Rios placed his palm on the book, and one by one, the bosses rose from their high-backed chairs, their footsteps echoing as they moved to perform the ritual before formally going into session.Kenji Takahashi bowed stiffly before placing his hand on the cover. Rika followed quickly. Next to her was Vittorino Mancini, who muttered something in Italian under his breath and kissed two fingers before pressing them to the spine of the book. Luca Bellanti grunted and followed suit. Then Gabriel Fonseca approached slowly, crossed himself, and whispered a blessing that sounded more like a curse because of his language. Meanwhile, Catalina Cabrerra didn't speak.Beatrice Sandoval placed her hand on the Ledger next, s
His Hired Lover 56. The Coming of the Gods
Each major international Mafia Boss was required by the Ledger to bring one allied or subordinate family into the Tribunal. Each ally would serve as a witness and backup power. Rios recalled that there would be ten power seats from the active circle, which were the five global syndicate leaders and their invited family bosses.Not long after, the esteemed bosses were arriving one by one.“Firipin e okaerinasai,” greeted Rios as he and Kenji Takahashi bowed formally toward each other. The serious man, whose voice was soft but always made Rios nervous, had come all the way from Osaka, Japan. Takahashi was a former enforcer in the Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate, but had risen as the leader of his own splinter group. He didn’t talk much, but when it came to business, he was always eager to share how he grew his empire, which was through tech, crypto laundering, and, of course, his brutal efficiency. He was known as the kind of man who eliminated rivals before they even spoke. The Japanese man w
His Hired Lover 55. Cardinal Rules
Rios stood in front of the grand hall where his private meetings with the Mafia were often held. The sound of the waves outside the building called loudly, but the silence only drowned out the impending excitement.In about three hours, the Mafia Tribunal would be held on this private island in Batangas. His family called the venue Taal Island Fortress—a private ancestral estate on a volcanic island in the country. For years, the Alcaraz family had owned such an esteemed, secluded place that could only be reached by chopper or private boat. No wonder it had been one of the places the Sandoval family had been eyeing.Rios heaved a nervous sigh. The annual Tribunal required each Mafia Boss to bring at least one prominent Mafia family from their turf. In the Philippines, only the Alcarazes and the Sandovals controlled most of the regions. It automatically meant Rios had to bring the Sandovals with him. The invitations had been sent. Somewhere deep in his mind, he hoped and prayed none of
