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41. Losing Sofia
Last Updated:
2025-04-07 11:43:17
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His Hired Lover 42. Deep Conversations
SOFIA’s POVI don’t know what to make of this unfortunate situation. What Rios and I shared in this city felt truly magical and unforgettable for a honeymoon. But now, I sat sobbing and desperately trying to ease the cold biting my skin and the wound in my arm.I was just crying the whole time we were huddled in this small cave. Valeria wasn’t saying anything, but her presence somehow proved comforting for my wretched soul. I wish I could take back what I said about not needing a bodyguard. Right now, this lady felt like heaven sent to me.I stifled a sob before heaving a deep sigh. Indeed, Valeria was right. We were in a misfortune, and I needed to get my shit together.“I’m sorry,” my words spilled, mingling with the sound of cackling from the small bonfire.“For what, Miss Sofia?” she replied. Her voice sounded gruff and already tired.“For dragging you into this mess. And for saying I didn’t need a bodyguard. Now, here we are.”A faint smile tugged at her lips. “No worries, Miss S
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The remnants of what had happened where Sofia and Valeria were last seen by Rios painted a grim picture: somehow, they could confirm both women had fallen into the darkness below.“We can’t go in there now, Boss Rios,” Jestone said, holding his phone above his head. Its small light cut through the dark landscape, but they could barely see anything. “We might need a chopper, but—”“Shut up! Shut up, I’m thinking!” Rios snapped, punching in a number on his phone. Jestone and Kyle traded glances at their usually composed boss’s attitude, his calm peeling away into a frantic frenzy.“Sasha,” he barked when the line connected. “What the hell is happening? I thought there’d be reinforcements? No one came! My wife and her bodyguard just fell off a fucking cliff!”His grip tightened around the phone as Sasha’s voice chattered on. He could feel himself trembling and falling into the pit of monstrosity. He realized all those trips he had taken for expensive therapy abroad weren’t helping.“I al
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SOFIA’s POVMy memory of being sick or having a brutal fever always brings back the feel of my mother’s gentle hands brushing my burning forehead, only to be replaced by a cold compress or a cloth soaked in water and vinegar. She would then gather wild leaves and plants only she knew the names of and boil them into a lukewarm natural medicine for me to drink. They always tasted bland, sometimes bitter, but my young heart never dared to complain. My mother had always been so good to me and lived her life wanting what was best for me.Today, instead of waking up to the warmth of her hands, my fluttering, hazy eyes caught two bodyguards, who were sitting in each corner of a room that smelled like rubbing alcohol and was painted white from floor to ceiling. I felt my head resting on a soft pillow while my back sunk into a firm cushion.Kyle was slouched in a chair, dozing with a hanky over his face and arms crossed over his chest. Valeria sat to my left, flipping through a pamphlet that r
Last Updated : 2025-04-10His Hired Lover 45. Debts and Consequences
With Sofia in the hospital, Rios hadn’t planned on coming home so soon. But his last phone call with Sasha informed him that an emergency family meeting was happening at his grandfather’s mansion. He figured it was also the right time to break the news about marrying another woman.He exhaled sharply, then killed the engine and stepped onto the familiar gravel drive of the estate. The cloudy mid-afternoon sky hung low, mirroring the chaos spiraling through his head and his life in general. The doors creaked open as he entered. His mother stood stiff in the foyer, arms folded, and lips drawn into a tight line. He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she didn’t move. He then turned to his father, lowering his head out of habit to kiss the man’s hand, but Demitre’s fist cracked across his jaw before he could touch it.“Who the fuck do you think you are?” his father roared.“Demitre, calm yourself, boy! This is a family meeting,” the old man growled from his place in the hallway.Rios pushed
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(TRIGGER WARNING: torture)It took them a minute to speak after the father-and-daughter tandem exited the house. Now that the problem had been laid out, the cunning Rodulf Sandoval made it clear that Rios had to give up his marriage with Sofia and tie the knot with Beatrice instead.But Rios stood firm. It hadn’t been his plan to get serious with the aspiring actress, but she’d already cast her spell on him, pulling him in deeply. Now, he was stuck at the precipice, staring into a future that made sense only if she was in it. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have pegged himself as the hopeless romantic type. But here he was. Still, no matter how badly he wanted to escape this life, reality always came to push him to the edge of the cliff. He looked at his beloved family, the word beloved rolling through his head like a bitter joke. Their faces looked grim and defeated. But who could blame them? Twenty percent was twenty percent. And he was sure those greedy and manipulative Sandovals wo
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SOFIA’s POVRios had me rest for a week before I was allowed back into training with my acting coach. During those days, the wound in my arm began to heal gradually. My ribs still ached, but I could breathe again without flinching.Rios stayed busy. He would visit my house, but we wouldn’t really talk. He would only instruct Valeria and Kyle about some important tasks about me and also converse with the house helper he hired for me. We would catch him having meetings at odd hours, with his men coming and going. Then, one night, he’d explain things over dinner. He told me how the family built their empire, the layers behind their so-called businesses, the money, and, of course, the risks. It took me three days to say a full sentence to him. Even now, it felt like too much. So, I focused on training. It was Valeria who pitched the idea. “A Mafia wife must know how to defend herself,” she said. I figured she was right. We couldn’t take any chances anymore. I kept my head down and worke
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SOFIA’s POVEver since I started working for Mr. Lee as his escort, he had always made sure to book me as his favorite girl. The job was simple; he’d dress me up, pay me cash, then I would provide him company at social events and give his ego a little boost whenever I clung to his arm like some kind of trophy wife.Tonight, the company event we attended turned out to be one of the many splendid parties so far. And as we pulled up near my apartment, the gentle hum of Mr. Lee’s luxurious SUV faded into the background, his kind eyes lingered on me as we sat comfortably in the buttery-soft leather seats in the back of his car.“You… very beautiful tonight, Miss Sofia,” he said in his broken English, his Chinese accent curling around the words. He reached for my hand, planting a soft kiss on it before flashing his signature toothy smile.This 71-year-old Chinese man may have been short in stature, but his gentlemanly charm reached the rooftops.“Good company. I feel good… good…” he added, n
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His Hired Lover 47. An Anonymous Sender
SOFIA’s POVRios had me rest for a week before I was allowed back into training with my acting coach. During those days, the wound in my arm began to heal gradually. My ribs still ached, but I could breathe again without flinching.Rios stayed busy. He would visit my house, but we wouldn’t really talk. He would only instruct Valeria and Kyle about some important tasks about me and also converse with the house helper he hired for me. We would catch him having meetings at odd hours, with his men coming and going. Then, one night, he’d explain things over dinner. He told me how the family built their empire, the layers behind their so-called businesses, the money, and, of course, the risks. It took me three days to say a full sentence to him. Even now, it felt like too much. So, I focused on training. It was Valeria who pitched the idea. “A Mafia wife must know how to defend herself,” she said. I figured she was right. We couldn’t take any chances anymore. I kept my head down and worke
His Hired Lover 46. Control and Punishment
(TRIGGER WARNING: torture)It took them a minute to speak after the father-and-daughter tandem exited the house. Now that the problem had been laid out, the cunning Rodulf Sandoval made it clear that Rios had to give up his marriage with Sofia and tie the knot with Beatrice instead.But Rios stood firm. It hadn’t been his plan to get serious with the aspiring actress, but she’d already cast her spell on him, pulling him in deeply. Now, he was stuck at the precipice, staring into a future that made sense only if she was in it. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have pegged himself as the hopeless romantic type. But here he was. Still, no matter how badly he wanted to escape this life, reality always came to push him to the edge of the cliff. He looked at his beloved family, the word beloved rolling through his head like a bitter joke. Their faces looked grim and defeated. But who could blame them? Twenty percent was twenty percent. And he was sure those greedy and manipulative Sandovals wo
His Hired Lover 45. Debts and Consequences
With Sofia in the hospital, Rios hadn’t planned on coming home so soon. But his last phone call with Sasha informed him that an emergency family meeting was happening at his grandfather’s mansion. He figured it was also the right time to break the news about marrying another woman.He exhaled sharply, then killed the engine and stepped onto the familiar gravel drive of the estate. The cloudy mid-afternoon sky hung low, mirroring the chaos spiraling through his head and his life in general. The doors creaked open as he entered. His mother stood stiff in the foyer, arms folded, and lips drawn into a tight line. He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she didn’t move. He then turned to his father, lowering his head out of habit to kiss the man’s hand, but Demitre’s fist cracked across his jaw before he could touch it.“Who the fuck do you think you are?” his father roared.“Demitre, calm yourself, boy! This is a family meeting,” the old man growled from his place in the hallway.Rios pushed
His Hired Lover 44. Waking Up in a Hospital
SOFIA’s POVMy memory of being sick or having a brutal fever always brings back the feel of my mother’s gentle hands brushing my burning forehead, only to be replaced by a cold compress or a cloth soaked in water and vinegar. She would then gather wild leaves and plants only she knew the names of and boil them into a lukewarm natural medicine for me to drink. They always tasted bland, sometimes bitter, but my young heart never dared to complain. My mother had always been so good to me and lived her life wanting what was best for me.Today, instead of waking up to the warmth of her hands, my fluttering, hazy eyes caught two bodyguards, who were sitting in each corner of a room that smelled like rubbing alcohol and was painted white from floor to ceiling. I felt my head resting on a soft pillow while my back sunk into a firm cushion.Kyle was slouched in a chair, dozing with a hanky over his face and arms crossed over his chest. Valeria sat to my left, flipping through a pamphlet that r
His Hired Lover 43. Search and Rescue
The remnants of what had happened where Sofia and Valeria were last seen by Rios painted a grim picture: somehow, they could confirm both women had fallen into the darkness below.“We can’t go in there now, Boss Rios,” Jestone said, holding his phone above his head. Its small light cut through the dark landscape, but they could barely see anything. “We might need a chopper, but—”“Shut up! Shut up, I’m thinking!” Rios snapped, punching in a number on his phone. Jestone and Kyle traded glances at their usually composed boss’s attitude, his calm peeling away into a frantic frenzy.“Sasha,” he barked when the line connected. “What the hell is happening? I thought there’d be reinforcements? No one came! My wife and her bodyguard just fell off a fucking cliff!”His grip tightened around the phone as Sasha’s voice chattered on. He could feel himself trembling and falling into the pit of monstrosity. He realized all those trips he had taken for expensive therapy abroad weren’t helping.“I al
His Hired Lover 42. Deep Conversations
SOFIA’s POVI don’t know what to make of this unfortunate situation. What Rios and I shared in this city felt truly magical and unforgettable for a honeymoon. But now, I sat sobbing and desperately trying to ease the cold biting my skin and the wound in my arm.I was just crying the whole time we were huddled in this small cave. Valeria wasn’t saying anything, but her presence somehow proved comforting for my wretched soul. I wish I could take back what I said about not needing a bodyguard. Right now, this lady felt like heaven sent to me.I stifled a sob before heaving a deep sigh. Indeed, Valeria was right. We were in a misfortune, and I needed to get my shit together.“I’m sorry,” my words spilled, mingling with the sound of cackling from the small bonfire.“For what, Miss Sofia?” she replied. Her voice sounded gruff and already tired.“For dragging you into this mess. And for saying I didn’t need a bodyguard. Now, here we are.”A faint smile tugged at her lips. “No worries, Miss S
His Hired Lover 41. Losing Sofia
Without hesitation, Valeria fired at the man who was blindly spraying bullets their way.“Valeria! Get Sofia to safety now!” Rios shouted, crouched behind a crumbling wall with Sofia. They’d lost their tail after fleeing the packed market and ended up in a quiet part of Baguio. The road ahead was bare, lined with looming balete trees, but the silence was broken by fresh bursts of gunfire. The ex-marine realized more of those goons who were after them were coming.“Got it, Boss,” Valeria said, sprinting over. “Come on, Miss Sofia.” She said as she grabbed the woman’s wrist.“I’m not leaving you here, Rios!”Valeria didn’t wait, raising her gun and firing again while the other two argued behind her.“What the fuck is happening?” Sofia’s voice cracked.Valeria could see the panic settling in. The always-composed woman was gone, replaced by someone frantic and dragging them down with her endless questions. It was starting to piss her off. Prison taught her that every second counts, especia
His 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 just 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
His 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
