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18. Packing Up
Last Updated:
2025-03-07 13:16:51
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His Hired Lover 19. Underground Dealings
Rios stepped out of the elevator and into his underground office. The artificial cold from the massive air conditioners in every corner of the building, combined with the scent of leather and polished metal, greeted his senses. Unlike the chaotic, sweat-drenched backrooms of lesser crime syndicates, his empire operated with ruthless efficiency.The floors gleamed beneath the stark white lights. High-tech monitors lined the walls. Its screens flashed streams of numbers, surveillance footage, and millions of encrypted messages from operations across the globe. Imported state-of-the-art machines whirred softly in the background. They were silent witnesses to crimes so cleanly executed that even government agencies struggled to trace them. These systems that were imported from the U.S. were funded by the larger Mafia families operating in Italy and California. These powerful backers ensured their empire remained untouchable.Employees in tailored black suits moved without a hint of uncerta
Last Updated : 2025-03-08His Hired Lover 20. The Orphanage
SOFIA’s POVAll my things were loaded into a separate vehicle, a Ram 1500 Limited, its glossy black exterior reflecting the sunlight. But before I could react to the gorgeousness of this pickup truck, a second vehicle pulled up, this one distinctly more elegant. It was a Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, sleek in pearl white with a rose-gold trim that reminded me of Mr. Lee’s. It stopped right in front of me and Kyle, the leader of the group, whose name I had only just learned.The tinted window slid down, revealing a man in the driver’s seat. He barely spared me a glance before turning to Kyle. “You drive here.”No further explanation was given. Kyle nodded, stepping around to open the passenger-side door and motioning for me to get in.The moment I slid into the seat, the soft scent of an expensive cologne that smelled woodsy with a hint of citrus filled my senses. The cabin was impossibly smooth and quiet, swallowing the outside noise in an almost eerie way. This car was power wrapped in lu
Last Updated : 2025-03-09His Hired Lover 21. What Happened to the Children?
For the third time that night, Amanda’s eyes blinked open.She stared at the ceiling, listening to the quiet. The only sounds were the soft creaks of the old house and the chirping of crickets outside. A strip of yellow light from the hallway glowed under the door. Nanay Tess had specifically left the door half open in case one of the six children sleeping in this room called for her in the middle of the night.Her stomach felt weird again. Not hurting, just… uncomfortable. And she knew what that meant. With a sigh, she pushed off her blanket and climbed out of bed. Her bare feet made soft pats against the wooden floor as she tiptoed across the room. The orphanage was silent. Everyone was asleep.She slipped into the bathroom, shivering when her feet touched the cold tiles. How many times had she gone tonight? Four? Five? It was getting annoying. It had to be the blue pill. Nanay Tess always made sure everyone took one with their meals. “These are the doctor’s orders,” she said. “There
Last Updated : 2025-03-10His Hired Lover 22. A New House
SOFIA’s POVThe car rolled smoothly along the bustling streets of Makati, Manila, weaving through the late afternoon traffic. I pressed my face against the window, watching as towering skyscrapers gleamed under the dying light of the sun. Indeed, Rios had chosen a place known as the financial and business district of the country and home to upscale condominiums, luxury hotels, and corporate offices.When Kyle turned onto Rockwell Drive, my stomach flipped. The sight of the upscale residential towers made me shrink into my seat. I’d seen these buildings in magazines, their units owned by celebrities, politicians, and tycoons. I never imagined stepping foot in one, let alone staying in one.Kyle drove past the security gate, where a uniformed guard in a pressed blue uniform signaled for him to stop. He lowered his window, handing over his ID and stating our purpose. The guard glanced at me briefly before nodding and waving us through. Beyond the entrance, the driveway was lined with mani
Last Updated : 2025-03-11His Hired Lover 23. A Marriage Agreement and A Child?
SOFIA’s POVThe contract blurred before my eyes, my hands trembling as I gripped the pages. I knew the revisions would come strongly, but this? The words inked on this piece of paper were beyond ridiculous.Did Rios actually believe I would adhere to that one clause that made the ends of my hair stand on end? I ran my eyes over the words again: the objective of this marriage is to conceive and rear a child.A child! I had never pictured myself as a mother, nor wished to become one at 24. Most importantly, I never imagined that rewriting our agreement would lead to this. First, he only wanted me as a professional companion. Now, I was about to be his wife and the mother of his child? What the fuck was wrong with him?I dropped the contract onto the glass table, shaking my head. A bitter laugh pressed against my throat. Rios had a lot to answer for, but I had bigger things to deal with. I needed to get ready for my client. And if he thought he could force me into this contract, he was ab
Last Updated : 2025-03-12His Hired Lover 24. The Old Man of the Alcaraz Family
Rios maneuvered his car through the winding road of the Alcaraz estate. Its interior loomed ahead with its grand façade unchanged by time. And yet, something in Rios’s chest tightened as he neared the entrance. It had been a month since his last visit, and the weight of expectation pressed against his ribs.He pulled into the garage, shut off the engine, and sat for a moment, fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He took a deep breath, then another. Finally, he stepped out, the morning air doing little to ease the tightness in his throat.Gardeners in wide-brimmed hats knelt in the soil, hands deftly tending to the ornamental plants that spilled over ceramic pots. The scent of freshly turned earth and roses clung to the air. One of the workers looked up, meeting Rios's gaze for the briefest moment before he turned away. Rios considered nodding, to offer even the smallest acknowledgment, but the pulse in his neck pounded too insistently. Instead, he strode forward, the familiar
Last Updated : 2025-03-13His Hired Lover 25. A Night of Flamboyance
Hugo Valderrama snapped his phone shut and took a sip of his now-watery juice. The call had just ended with his towering, ever-intense boss at Star Channel Studios, and he felt as flamboyant as ever. He hadn’t gotten the chance to ask much about the woman Rios wanted him to meet at the Peninsula Manila Hotel, but judging by his boss’s tone, she had to be important."I want you to manage her yourself."Hugo wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea, not with the weight of Star Channel’s senior production already on his shoulders. But saying no to Rios Alcaraz was as good as tossing his career straight into the dumpster.Glancing at his wristwatch, Hugo wondered why the girl hadn’t arrived yet. The dining area of the Peninsula buzzed with quiet opulence due to the Art Deco-inspired geometric patterns in gray, cream, and black that adorned the space. It was complemented by large-scale photographs by Filipino-Spanish photographer Francisco Guerrero. The air carried subtle hints of internation
Last Updated : 2025-03-14His Hired Lover 26. Heated Moment
SOFIA’s POV“It’s been such a lovely evening, darling.”Outside, the city hummed softly, headlights streaking across the pavement as we sat in his sleek car, parked several feet from my building.“This is a nice compound,” he mused, his fingers drumming lightly on the steering wheel. “Mr. Rios really prioritizes your well-being. Oh, and don’t worry, I’ve seen your files, so I know quite a bit about you already.”My smile faltered. “We talked about so many things tonight, and you never thought to mention that file?”Hugo exhaled a slow, indulgent breath, reaching into his coat pocket. A silver case flicked open in his hand, and he plucked out a cigar, rolling it between his fingers before lighting it. Smoke curled around his face as he spoke. “Darling, it’s nothing personal. It’s just me doing my job. Anyway, off you go now, girl. I’ll see you in two days.”I hesitated, gripping the door handle. “Are you sure you don’t want to come in? I have a coffee maker,” I added, my voice softer no
Last Updated : 2025-03-18
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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
