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 extended to politicians, high-profile deals, and underground networks that could shift economies. To those in the underworld, he smiled like a saint and punished like the devil.

Years of experience had taught Rios the virtue of patience. Failure was not an option. If he faltered, the legacy his grandfather had built over generations, one that had solidified their family as one of the toughest mafia clans in the Philippines, would collapse. He had to be sharp. Focused. In control. Yet ever since that little incident at the restaurant, he found himself unexpectedly distracted.

“Sofia Cruz Morales.”

His cousin, Sasha Alcaraz, said the name with thinly veiled disdain. She sat across from him in an upscale restaurant with her long legs crossed and a pristine white blazer draped over her shoulders. The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows glowed on her sharp features. The European genes they both inherited from their grandparents blended seamlessly with their Filipino roots, giving them an aristocratic edge—something their family had long used to their advantage.

Rios swirled the whiskey in his glass, amused by the distaste radiating from Sasha as she flicked through the file in front of her. She had always been one of his best advisors and most trusted family members as their bond was built on childhood trauma, practicality, and precision. But today, Sasha wasn’t exactly supportive of his plan. “Are you sure about this girl, Ri?” she asked, arching a sculpted brow.

Sofia Morales. The fiery waitress who had dared to look him dead in the eye and accuse him of kidnapping his own niece. The woman who, despite his intimidating presence, hadn’t cowered and backed down when they had a little confrontation at the restaurant last week. She had no idea who he was, or what he was capable of, yet still, she had challenged him. That intrigued him enough to hire a private investigator to dig deeper into her life.

“Well,” Rios said, setting his glass down. “She’s different. She stood her ground, even when she shouldn’t have. That kind of boldness… it’s rare.” His lips twitched slightly. “She actually reminds me of you.”

Sasha scoffed. “And that amused the hell out of you?”

A smirk tugged at his lips. “Yeah. You know I’m someone who isn’t impressed so easily.”

He leaned back in his chair, resting an elbow on the armrest. “Besides, you have to admit, she’s interesting. Aspiring actress. Rising content creator. Waitress by necessity, not by choice—”

“You forgot to mention she also works as an escort,” Sasha cut in, flipping a page in the file. “And look, she’s a regular of Mr. Xi Lee. Wasn’t he the Chinese business tycoon who invested in your casino two years ago?”

Rios didn’t flinch. “Which makes her even more ideal,” he countered. “She’s used to wealthy men and knows how to play the part. If your kid wasn’t indeed my niece, I would’ve believed she wasn’t acting at all. She’s got potential; hence, I won’t have to waste time training her.” He tapped a finger against the mahogany table, his gaze flicking to the Manila skyline behind him. “More importantly, she’s ambitious and persistent. That kind of drive is valuable.”

And she was young and gorgeous.

He didn’t say that aloud, but he indeed found her beauty… mesmerizing. No wonder a man like Xi Lee would pay for her time. That wasn’t a problem, though. If anything, her position in life made her even more useful. He owned one of the largest media networks in the country, and an aspiring actress like Sofia might find his offer difficult to refuse.

Sasha sighed, shaking her head. “She clearly needs the money. I doubt she’ll turn this offer down.”

Silence settled between them, thick with unspoken thoughts about Rios’s plan. Just then, Sasha set the file on the table, folding her arms. “You know, Beatrice Sandoval would be a perfect match for you,” she said casually. “Why not just give her and her family another chance? You wouldn’t have to make a poor girl like Sofia Morales do something she shouldn’t be doing in the first place. If she ever found out you’re the Mafia boss of the Alcaraz clan, it wouldn’t end well for her.”

Sasha had a point. Nevertheless, Rios’s expression darkened as his jaw tensed. “I told you, cousin,” he said, his voice turning cold. “I don’t want to hear another damn thing about that arranged marriage.”

“I know, but—”

“Just shut up and help me set up a meeting with that woman,” he cut in.

Sasha exhaled sharply but didn’t argue. With a flick of her wrist, she grabbed her phone. “Fine. I’ll make the appointment now. But Rios,” she said, pausing only to level her gaze with him. “Don’t ever say I didn’t warn you.”

Rios smirked. “I will take full accountability, dear cousin.”

Sasha heaved a sigh before exiting the restaurant.

Once alone, Rios was left with his thoughts. To him, marriage to Beatrice was out of the picture. His family could scheme all they wanted, but he wouldn’t let them force him into tying himself to Beatrice Sandoval—not now, not ever again.

If they wanted him to settle down, fine. But he’d do it on his own terms, even if that meant hiring someone to play the part.