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54. A Broken Plate, A Knife, and Kidnappers
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-22 15:07:58
Bab terkait
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-23His 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-23His Hired Lover 01. He Was Trouble
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 was seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched just by 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 upon 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 t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-28His Hired Lover 02. An Envelope, A Dingy Apartment, and An Email
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-02His Hired Lover 03. Marriage Is Out of the Picture
Running an empire that straddled both the legal and illegal required precision, accountability, and a solid foundation to play the dangerous game. But Rios Estrada Alcaraz was a man of duality.To the public, he was a refined businessman. With his thriving media network called Star Channel Studios, he had been named the ultimate Kingpin of his generation. A media mogul whose name graced charity events, luxury hotels, and high-stakes investment portfolios. He moved in elite circles while shaking hands with politicians and rubbing shoulders with CEOs and dignitaries, all while keeping his true empire hidden beneath the surface.Behind closed doors, he was a chess master. His only goal was to win the long game of deception. He laundered his wealth through legitimate businesses, making it nearly impossible for authorities to pin anything on him. His hands, which were always impeccably clean in the eyes of the law, were stained with the blood of those who had dared to cross him. His reach e
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03His Hired Lover 04. A Restaurant, A Maserati, but No Sofia
Rios checked his watch for the third time in a minute, but the sleek silver wrapped around his wrist only mocked him. Only five minutes had passed, yet it already felt like an hour. Exhaling slowly, he adjusted the cuff of his tailored blazer, the muscle in his neck constricting against the fabric.The luxurious restaurant hummed with quiet conversations. He had specifically told Sasha to make a reservation at this high-end place to impress Sofia Morales. Not that he wanted to prove anything to that woman. He was heir to both the empire of the Estrada and Alcaraz families. If he wanted to, he had all the resources to make her obey him. And yet, Rios wouldn’t do that to her. She seemed like a challenge. Nowadays, he felt he needed Sofia to stay that way.However, first impressions still mattered. If Sofia showed up, she should see him as a man in control. But this agonizing waiting left him with a little anxiety. He attempted to divert his attention by listening to the clinking of plate
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16His Hired Lover 05. A Stranger, A Perv, and A Knight at the Bottom of the Stairs
SOFIA’s POVThe bell at the restaurant door jingled again. I barely looked up as I fumbled through my notepad, thinking it was just another hungry customer. Sliding my pencil behind my ear, I grabbed a menu and forced an excited smile. But as I approached the table, hesitation crept in. Something about him set me on edge.The new customer sat unnaturally still, fingers laced together on the table like he was waiting for someone. His all-black outfit, which consisted of a black shirt, black leather jacket, and black gloves, looked intriguing enough. Despite my unease, I relaxed and acted professionally.“Hi! What can I get you?”His lips curved slightly, but the smile never reached his eyes. “No need for the menu, Miss Morales.”I stiffened. My name tag only showed my first name. How the hell did he know my surname?“Have we met?” I asked, my fingers fumbling with the pencil still tucked behind my ear. He tilted his head but didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled out a phone, tapped a few ti
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16His Hired Lover 06. Blood and Bargains
SOFIA’s POV“Hey! I-I know you. What are you doing in this poorer side of the city?”I could hear the quiver in my landlord’s voice as he watched Rios walking toward us.“I’m afraid you don’t look familiar,” Rios said coolly, one hand tucked in his pocket jeans, the other slinging a tailored coat over his shoulder.Even now, as his dead eyes stabbed like daggers at the already shaken Donato, the butterflies in my stomach refused to settle. Why on earth would he come here looking like a hot character from a steamy novel? In a snap, my curiosity about him only grew.“Ah, I know now!” my pervy landlord exclaimed as if trying to hold himself together and regain the upper hand. “You’re here for this slut!” he added, grabbing my arm roughly.“Fuck you!” I spat, yanking myself away from him. Instead, Donato pulled me closer, my backside pressing against the huge bulge under his jeans. Honestly, that size might’ve been impressive if only he understood basic hygiene.Rios stopped walking. “I sp
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
Bab terbaru
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
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
His Hired Lover 54. A Broken Plate, A Knife, and Kidnappers
SOFIA’s POVRios left before the sun came up, but not before giving me a look like he didn’t want to get in his car.“Hugo will take care of you,” he whispered, pulling me in for a lingering kiss before finally stepping inside.Jestoni, Valeria, and Kyle followed in the second car. He had to bring them since it was the annual event for all the prominent Mafia members in the country. Plus, he’d need backup, especially since the Alcaraz family was hosting. He didn’t tell me where it was, but Valeria slipped it to me yesterday. She said they would be heading to Taal Island Fortress, a volcanic island in Batangas. The Alcaraz family had owned the island for decades, making it a venue for the private affairs in their business.A few minutes after they left, the driver Rios had arranged showed up. I was hauled into the car with my three-day luggage. No matter how many times I said I was fine being left alone in the house, Rios wouldn’t listen.Hugo’s place was maybe twenty minutes from the
His Hired Lover 53. The Syndicate’s Whores
Madam Carrie walked towards the huge building located in a secluded place in Manila. It had been exactly a week since she received the memorandum from Rios Alcaraz that told her she would no longer be his personal advisor, but she had been upgraded to Head Mistress of his facility.She scoffed, her chest tightening with anger and frustration as she recalled the content of the memo. Some lawyer explained it to her, and the compensation was thrice as big as she earned in her own whorehouse. But it wasn’t the content that angered her. It was the fact that Rios hadn’t visited her since he came to her almost a month ago, complaining about some woman. She would’ve appreciated it if Rios had been the one to deliver the news. She would’ve appreciated it even more if she had been invited to his wedding. Some wedding—bah! Who would’ve believed the scum would marry? Still, she was genuinely happy for him, but felt sorry for the girl.“Madame, this way please.”A voice pulled her from her though
His Hired Lover 52. Doctor in Town
SOFIA’s POV“OMG, that’s Miss Sofia!”That shriek was instantly swallowed by another wave of noise from the crowd packed outside the venue. I was here for the launch of a beauty product, set to appear as the brand ambassador. I stepped out of the car, gripping Valeria’s arm while Kyle moved ahead, clearing a path.“Miss Sofia! Please, let’s take a picture!”“Miss Sofia!!!”I smiled, lifted a hand to wave, and kept moving. Phones shot up like a swarm of butterflies, their screens glowing and catching my face from every angle. I paused here and there, leaning in for selfies, flashing a practiced smile into their lenses. Indeed, I felt like an A-list celebrity.“You’re very beautiful, Miss Sofia!”I turned toward the voice and found a young woman, with her eyes wide and a notebook trembling in her hands.“Thank you. Do you want an autograph?”She nodded so fast, then held the notebook and marker out to me. I signed it slowly before handing it back with a smile.“Come on, Miss Sofia,” Val
His Hired Lover 51. Fight and Make Up
Sofia was hunched over the couch with her hands trembling slightly when Rios arrived.“Babe,” he said, gathering her into his arms. He’d been in a board meeting when the call about the attack came through. He didn’t say a word to anyone. He left the meeting immediately and drove straight to Sofia’s condo. “Are you okay?” he whispered, planting a kiss on her lips.“Yes,” she said, nodding, though her eyes glistened with tears. “I-It happened so fast. We didn’t even get a good look at the guy.”“Here’s the flash drive that was found several miles from Starbucks, Boss Rios,” Valeria said, handing him the small black device. “You can see a man getting out of a black car. That means the lady with the toddler was telling the truth.”Rios didn’t respond. He rolled the flash drive between his fingers, thinking deeply.Meanwhile, Kyle moved fast as he opened a laptop and set it down on the glass table.“Who could it be?” Rios muttered. “I don’t think the Sandovals would pull something this rec
His Hired Lover 50. A Mysterious Pursuer
SOFIA’s POV“That was a great shoot, Miss Sofia.” I looked over my shoulder and met the beaming face of the photographer, Derek. Hugo had set up this photoshoot for a special magazine issue, and I’d been more than happy to do it.“I’m glad I pulled it off, with your guidance, of course,” I said, giving him a demure smile.“Do you want to grab a coffee before you—”“Ah, no. I have another appointment,” I cut in. Rios had promised me dinner, but it was only 2:30 in the afternoon. I could still grab coffee with sexy Derek, but I’d rather reserve the free hours preparing for my contract husband. Besides, Derek may be oozing with muscles and great biceps, but guys my age just weren’t my type.“Oh, you’re a busy woman, I see,” he said with a chuckle. Right then, Valeria appeared and gave me a subtle gesture toward the car.“I didn’t know you had a knack for boudoir shoots,” Derek said, still lingering, even as my lady bodyguard was practically dragging me out of SCS.“It’s called talent,
His Hired Lover 49. Cold Cases
The rain came in sheets that afternoon, turning the dirt roads of Sta. Lucia into rivers of reddish-brown sludge. Eli Mendoza parked his beat-up motorbike beside the police outpost, water dripping from the brim of his cap. He shook off the rain, wiped his boots on the mat, and stepped on that same squeaky floorboard. Almost immediately, the familiar sour scent of instant coffee and old paperwork greeted his nose.In a town like this, things didn’t move unless you shoved them. And he had been a tired police officer for too long.He took a seat at his desk, which was a thin wooden table marked by cigarette burns and ink stains. His battered leather notebook was already open. Its pages were lined with observations, dates, and names that kept circling back to one: Dorothea Gatchalian.It had been four years, but the woman was still nowhere to be found. He still remembered that day. He could picture the way she sat there in the station, perfectly composed and not struck with grief for her
His Hired Lover 48. Dorothea Gatchalian
Thea had been in this police station for almost an hour. The plastic chair beneath her was starting to bite into her skin, and the white walls weren’t doing her any favors.Across the table, the police officer leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow ticking up as his fingers drummed a sharp, impatient rhythm against the clipboard. The silence between questions was starting to stretch too long.“So, again,” SPO2 Eli said in a calm but thinning voice, “when was the last time you saw your uncle alive?”Thea crossed her arms. “I already told you. I saw him last Monday. At dinner. He wanted fish, so I cooked fish. We didn’t talk much. It’s always like that between us.”Eli nodded slowly. “And you didn’t notice anything strange? Nobody was lurking around, no fights, or no weird calls?”“No.”He flipped a photo onto the table, making Thea flinch at the image before her. Her uncle’s face was barely recognizable. It was swollen, and the skin stretched and marbled with the early signs of decay. M
