Sofia Morales is a struggling actress, juggling endless auditions while working as an escort to wealthy clients. Though her dream of stardom feels increasingly out of reach, she refuses to give up. But here comes Rios Alcaraz, a ruthless and enigmatic Mafia boss with no interest in marriage. But when his father pressures him to marry Beatrice Sandoval, the heiress of a powerful family, Rios devises a bold plan: hire someone to play the perfect girlfriend and keep the wedding bells at bay. Sofia, with her beauty, charm, and talent for pretending, becomes his first and only choice. But what starts as a business arrangement quickly spirals into a dangerous game of deception. As Sofia steps into Rios's treacherous world of power, secrets, and lies, she realizes that the line between acting and reality is dangerously thin—and playing the Mafia boss’s girlfriend might cost her more than just her heart.
View MoreSOFIA’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 ta
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
“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 exp
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 j
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 f
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
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 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 crisp, 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 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,”
SOFIA’s POVHugo was already waiting for me outside Star Channel Studio, his cheerful persona reflected in the colorful suit he was wearing, paired with red stiletto heels.“Nice outfit, darling,” he said, scanning my white tank top tucked into high-waisted black jeans. The fabric felt snug against my frame. I had decided to throw over it an oversized beige cardigan, and on my feet were these ridiculously expensive white sneakers.“And you look gorgeous as ever,” I replied smilingly.He pulled me in for a cheek-to-cheek kiss before we entered the glass doors of the building. Even stepping inside felt like trespassing. But I was able to shake off the uncomfortable feeling because nowadays, I have been going in and out of buildings with polished floors, minimalist furniture, and walls lined with framed posters and paintings. In this building, movie posters of people who had already made it were displayed.Hugo moved quickly, his phone buzzing every few seconds, the sharp notes of urgency
Rios squinted as the harsh arena lights flooded his vision, their glare bouncing off the golden cages that lined the pit below. This huge place had become cramped because of the large number of spectators. The air had gone thick with heat, and the scent of sweat, blood, and spilled liquor merged into something pungent and suffocating.Around him, the crowd roared with a chaotic mix of cheers, jeers, and feverish anticipation. Men in silk suits and women draped in jewels leaned forward, their eyes gleaming with the same hunger as the predators they had paid to watch. Those who paid bigger secured the nearest chairs. But he and his father sat in the isolated part where they could clearly see everyone.He shifted in his seat, his hands pressing into the smooth leather as his gaze flickered to his father. Don Demitre Alcaraz was a serious and heavyset man whose presence screamed danger. The dim glow of the chandeliers caught the sharp angles of his face. Those cold eyes locked at the pit
SOFIA’s POVSince the restaurant opened this morning, I hadn’t had a second to breathe. I moved like an acrobat—pacing the room with both hands and balancing trays, my mind constantly reminding my feet to avoid slipping on the tiled floor.By the time the clock crept toward a quarter to twelve, the place had erupted into a war zone. Orders flew in and customers endlessly waved for attention. Their hunger seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched looking at their sulky lips and bored faces. Normally, every staff in Lorenzo’s Restaurant would be happy to receive so many costumers, but when you’re waiting tables to rude patrons, it would only make you wish for your shift to end already.The kitchen’s aromas had found their way onto my uniform. I scrunched my face realizing that. I spent an hour doing my hair, only to expose it to the greasy scent of garlic butter and grilled meat. But a 24-year-old woman like me, with no prospects, had to endure this kind of lowly ...
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