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04. A Restaurant, A Maserati, but No Sofia
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-16 11:23:01Rios 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 plates and the low hum of jazz music in the place. Before he knew it, ten minutes had passed and he was still alone at the special table his cousin had chosen for them. He reached for the brandy sitting on the table. The slow burn sliding down his throat only fueled his dampened mood.
“Sir, are you ready to order?”
Rios barely glanced up. A waitress stood beside him, looking confident and expectant.
“No.” He replied in a low voice. “I am still waiting for someone.”
The waitress hesitated. “Perhaps I can bring you some appetizers while you wait?”
Rios finally looked at the girl sharply, irritation swiped across his face. Maybe Sofia got cold feet. Maybe she was playing him. Or maybe… just maybe… this had been a terrible idea from the start. Rios hated waiting—hated it more than loose ends, more than disloyalty. His patience had already thinned to a dangerous edge. And this waitress wasn’t helping.
“I need you to stop hovering.”
The waitress shifted on her feet, eyes glistening from unshed tears. “I—of course, sir. I’ll check back later.” She turned quickly with stiff shoulders and vanished into the hum of the restaurant.
Rios watched her go, his piercing gaze complimented his sour mood. The brandy burned less now, but the irritation in his chest smoldered hotter. Suddenly, his phone rang. The shrill tone only added to his frustration. He pulled it from his pocket and answered with a clipped voice. “What’s taking her so long?”
“B-Boss, Miss Morales hasn’t come out from her apartment yet. Maybe she’s not here.”
Rios’s grip on the phone tightened. “What?”
Some customers turned their heads in his direction as his voice echoed through the place. Rios exhaled sharply, lowering his voice. “I specifically instructed Sasha to pull every string we have to clear Sofia’s schedule tonight. What do you mean she’s not in that dingy apartment of hers?”
“Y-yes, Boss. Everything was set for Miss Morales, b-but—”
Rios didn’t let him finish and angrily ended the call. He stood up, tossed a few bills, and walked briskly out of the restaurant. It seemed like Sofia was indeed playing a game with him. And that only pissed him off.
As he got out of the restaurant, the thick and humid Manila air clung to his skin. He went straight to his Maserati and yanked the door open. His mind was already two steps ahead. Sofia should have been waiting for the car he sent for her like she was supposed to. But she wasn’t. And that didn’t sit right.
Rios accelerated, drowning his anger in the roar of the engine. Before he knew it, the skyline faded as he turned onto the narrower streets of Sofia’s location. Vendors crowded the curbs. Through his tinted windows, he caught glimpses of the people in this part of Manila—some watching his car with curiosity, others with wariness. He ignored them.
His phone buzzed again.
“Boss,” his goon’s hesitant voice crackled through the line. “You sure you want to be driving through here alone?”
Rios let out a slow breath, willing himself to keep his temper in check. “If I needed a damn bodyguard, I’d ask. Besides, I am already here. I’ll handle it. Don’t do anything unless I said so.”
The goon cleared his throat. “Understood, Boss.”
Rios ended the call, rolled his shoulders, and clenched his neck. “Hmm, patience, Rios.” He muttered.
As his car came to a slow stop in front of Sofia’s three-story apartment building, his grip on his steering wheel only intensified as he saw her—still in her pajamas—descending the stairs. But what bothered him most was the man following her.
An older guy.
Judging by the furrowed brows and angry faces, it seemed like the two of them were arguing.
“Who the fuck is this prick, Sofia Morales?” He said loudly to himself. But Rios didn’t need to think further. He pushed open the car door and stepped out through the humid night.
Bab terkait
His 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—black shirt, black leather jacket, even 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 times, and turned the s
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 s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18His Hired Lover 07. Off to A Hotel
SOFIA’s POVWe drove around the city in silence as the low hum of the car’s engine filled the space between us.My hands still shook. The worn-off adrenaline left a dull throb in my fingers and the strains in my legs made it hard to appreciate the car’s soft leather seat.Ever so often, I could feel his piercing eyes checking on me. He was probably thinking I was a psychotic bitch. A violent little stray he picked up off the street.‘Good. Let him think that.’ After all, that was the least of my concerns right now.I had just beaten up my landlord. The weight of that realization pressed against my chest, but before I could even begin to process it, Rios’s voice cut through the silence.“I don’t mind you getting your hands dirty, but next time, let me handle it.”That only intensified my annoyance. “You saw me there, Rios. I don’t need a savior.”“You bet,” he said, smirking. “You almost killed him.”I rolled my eyes at him. I did not like how he inserted himself into my already chaotic
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-19His Hired Lover 08. Bruised and Bound
The tires screeched as Rios pulled into the parking lot of Black Moon Bar. The neon glow bathed the pavement in eerie light, the bass-heavy music thudding through the walls like a heartbeat.Inside the bar, Rios could see pertinent faces from the showbiz industry. Celebrities, models, and even corrupt politicians indulged in this place, all drowning in expensive liquor and party drugs that his business associates passed around in secret. However, these patrons were blissfully unaware of the storm brewing behind closed doors.Rios exhaled sharply as he stalked past the VIP lounge, pushing through a private door. Inside, Vincent Madrigal paced with a whiskey glass in hand, rage darkening his features.“You better have a good reason for dragging me here,” Rios muttered, his voice low and edged with warning.Vincent spun, his eyes burning. “What the hell were you thinking?” He slammed the glass onto the desk. “Changing drop locations without telling me? Cutting my runners out? Now we’ve go
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25His Hired Lover 09. A Breakfast, A Bath, and Another Problem
SOFIA’s POVA deep, perfect kind of warmth wrapped around me as I drifted between sleep and waking. For the first time in my 24 years of existence, my body felt light, my mind clear, like I had finally, finally gotten the kind of rest people always raved about. Unfortunately, all the hairs on my body automatically stood up the second I realized I wasn’t on my bed!Panic settled in as my eyes snapped open. At first, I had no idea where I was. Plush white sheets, a thick comforter, and a floral scent in the air. My fingers curled around the silky fabric, my pulse picking up as flashes of last night pieced themselves together. I groaned as I buried my face in my hands. Right. The landlord. His slimy, grabbing hands. The rage that burned through me. My fists connected with his gut, his ribs, his face.And then, that man, Rios Alcaraz.The memory of him standing over me hit me like a splash of cold water. I sat up, the sheets pooling at my waist, and glanced around. Still, no sign of him.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-01His Hired Lover 010. An Heiress’s Obsession
Beatrice Sandoval strode into her suite at the Grand Royal Hotel, her heels clicking against the marble floor with practiced elegance. The scent of imported lavender lingered in the air, mingling with the crisp bite of the air-conditioning, but she barely noticed.Her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t believe that a lowly creature wouldn’t recognize her when she was famous both in the Philippines and abroad. That damned girl. Had she been living in a cave?The encounter had been brief, but something about the girl’s presence left Beatrice seething. That angelic and delicate face looked almost untouched by the world's filth. And it stirred an unfamiliar irritation within her. The very thought annoyed her more than the traffic in Metro Manila did! It was irrational, even childish, but the annoyance festered like an itch she couldn't scratch. “Just pray we wouldn’t cross paths again, bitch. Or you will be getting what you deserve,” she murmured to herself angrily.Heaving a sigh, she threw
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02His Hired Lover 011. An initial Proposition
SOFIA’s POVAfter that weird encounter with that sophisticated, but undeniably mean, woman, I headed straight back to my hotel room. The excitement I’d felt about exploring this place had completely vanished, just like that. One threat from her, and the thrill soured into unease.Who did she think she was, anyway? Hmm…a certain Beatrice Sandoval. The name had indeed a ring to it, like someone who’d graced magazine covers or made headlines in the kind of circles I wasn’t a part of. But I wouldn’t let her scare me. Fame didn’t give her the right to treat people like that. Still… there was something about her face. Something familiar. If only I had my phone, I could’ve searched for her right then and there. Maybe she really was someone important, judging by the way she got angry when I told her I had no idea who she was. But even if she was famous, did that really justify the way she looked down on me? Money and status shouldn’t erase basic human decency.I shook my head and turned toward
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02His Hired Lover 012. A Contract and A Condition
CONFIDENTIAL AGREEMENTThis Agreement ("Contract") is entered into as of January 30, 2025, by and between:Rios Estrada Alcaraz, hereinafter referred to as the "Employer," a private individual requiring professional companionship for public and personal appearances;Sofia Cruz Morales, hereinafter referred to as the "Contractor," an independent individual accepting the role of an exclusive companion and/or lover under the terms outlined below.Both parties agree to the following terms: ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES1.1 The Contractor agrees to act as the public companion of the Employer for social, business, and personal events as required. 1.2 The Contractor is to present herself as the Employer’s romantic partner in public settings, including but not limited to:High-profile events, galas, and business gatheringsFamily engagements where a partner's presence is expectedAny other appearances deemed necessary by the Employer 1.3 The Contractor shall maintain discretion and comply with th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03
Bab terbaru
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
His Hired Lover 38. A Promise For Later
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
His Hired Lover 37. Sasha Alcaraz
“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
