His Hired Lover

His Hired Lover

Jiceryl01

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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.

His Hired Lover Chapter 1 01. He Was Trouble

SOFIA's POV

Since 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 this kind of lowly life so I could provide for my family in the province. And while Manila was considered a city of opportunity, no one could deny that living here would mean you need determination and bravery to avoid getting swallowed by the intensity of the lifestyle.

I was dropping off an order when a sharp shriek cut through the restaurant. People turned toward the sound, but no one moved to check. My gaze flicked to the counter, hoping my coworker Danilo would go see what was happening. But he only shrugged, silently dumping the responsibility onto me.

Despite the restaurant drawing in plenty of customers, the management hadn't bothered to increase staff. Working with me today were Danilo, the cashier and overall runner, and Mike, who was in the back grilling meat. My name's Sofia, the curvy waitress. Not a nickname I gave myself-our customers did.

I shot Danilo a glare before heading toward the commotion near the entrance. A little girl in an elementary school uniform was struggling to pull away from a towering, six-foot-tall, foreign-looking man. He was wearing a polo shirt and ragged jeans. I couldn't picture his face well because I was nearsighted. But he wasn't saying anything, and the little girl seemed determined to break free. Before I could think, I was already moving.

"Sweetheart!" I called, forcing a bright, familiar smile. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you."

The girl stared up at me, her doe eyes wide with confusion. I silently urged her to play along. Finally, she caught on and launched herself at me, clinging to my torso like a tiny monkey.

"Is this man bothering you?" I asked, turning to face him.

A beat passed, and I almost choked on my saliva upon seeing his face up close. '

Holy... shit... The man was beautiful-the kind of beautiful that should be illegal. His mixed foreign and Filipino features were striking. That sharp jawline. Those high cheekbones. Those bluish eyes seemed to see straight through me. His gaze flicked between me and the little girl, his head tilting slightly.

"W-what are you doing to my niece?" I stammered, trying to ignore both his allure and the expensive cologne that now surrounded me. I planted a hand on my hip as if I were a Filipina mother scolding an unruly son. "What are you thinking? Kidnapping a kid in broad daylight? And of all places, in a restaurant?"

My confidence grew as I leaned into the lie, determined to save this girl from whatever revulsion this ridiculously handsome man was planning. To my absolute horror, he only smirked!

But that smirk should come with a warning sign. It only sent the butterflies in my stomach into a whirlpool of emotions.

"Do you really believe I'm kidnapping that child?"

Dear God, even his voice was soft and low. The kind you hear in steamy audio recordings that make you imagine things. I forced myself to stay composed despite the erratic beating of my heart. "You're holding a child against her will! What else am I supposed to think?"

As if on cue, the little girl tugged at my uniform, signaling for me to bend down. "What is it?" I asked gently.

"He wants me to go to the arcade several blocks from here," she whispered, the fabric conditioner in her clothes lightly brushing my nose. "But I want to eat spaghetti first."

I clenched my jaw. Are you kidding me?

"See?" Turning to the man and feeling the heat on my cheeks. "You're forcing a little girl to do things! I say, get out of this restaurant before I call security."

But instead of looking rattled, he laughed. Laughed! Like this was all some joke to him.

"Is there something funny about what I said?" I asked loudly, trying to drown the twisting motion happening in my gut as I heard that laugh.

I'd been around wealthy men because of my other job as an escort, and I could always tell their status by the way they laughed at people. This man-with his expensive air, controlled amusement, and dangerously rich chuckle-was indeed trouble.

His eyes glinted. "Sofia."

I sucked in a breath. I could never deny how his gaze affected my sense of self. I felt myself drowning as I tried to mask my emotions. Also, how the hell did he know my name?

"Don't you know who I am?" He asked as if that information was too important.

"Do I need to?" I huffed.

He nodded toward the girl. "Why don't you ask her?" And with his smirk that hinted arrogance, coupled with that irritating, expensive chuckle of his, he added. "I am the uncle."

Frowning, I gently cupped the child's cheeks, smoothing down her baby bangs. "Do you actually know this man?"

The girl sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes like I was the dumbest person alive. "Yes, I know him. But he's sooo annoying."

Oh. Oh, no...

I could feel myself sinking into utter humiliation as I stared at the kid, her wide-eyed gaze reflecting mine. I had just accused this ridiculously handsome man of kidnapping a child when, in fact, he was actually her uncle!

I slowly stood up and then turned back to him. His gaze remained steady as I swallowed my pride and tried to salvage my dignity. "I... I see," I stammered.

One dark eyebrow lifted. "I think it's time for you to apologize, Miss Sofia."

My brows furrowed. Apologize? If anyone was to blame, it was his niece for not clarifying things sooner!

"Well, you looked suspicious. I just did what I had to do to help a struggling child."

His smirk widened. "Did you?"

"Yes! Besides, you were just... standing there." I gestured vaguely at him. "All serious and intimidating... gripping the child and ..."

Making me say stupid things.

"Can we eat now, Uncle? I still want spaghetti. I don't want to go to another restaurant. I want to eat here at Lorenzo's."

The man sighed. "All right. When you do that, you sound exactly like your mother."

I took their uncle-niece conversation as my cue to escape. "Very well," I said, plastering a forced smile. "I-I'll leave you to it... s-sir," I added, turning on my heel. My knees wobbled as I swallowed my embarrassment.

"Wait."

His voice stopped me cold. I turned back slowly, meeting his eyes once more.

"I'll be seeing you again, Miss Sofia."

Hearing that, a slow, creeping shiver ran down my spine. The question that had been haunting me instantly leaped from my mouth. "H-how did you know my name?"

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he lifted an eyebrow, looking amused-like I was missing something obvious. Then I saw it. My nameplate. Right! Way to go. I was getting stupider by the second.

But the way he said my name sent a prickling unease within me. It didn't feel like a simple statement. It was more like a promise to see each other again.

I forced myself to turn away, walking stiffly and pretending I wasn't rattled-even though I was. Because deep down, I felt that this man, whoever the hell he was, was going to be the cause of my distress.

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His Hired Lover His Hired Lover Jiceryl01 Mafia
“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.”
1

Chapter 1 01. He Was Trouble

28/03/2025

2

Chapter 2 02. An Envelope, A Dingy Apartment, and An Email

28/03/2025

3

Chapter 3 03. Marriage Was Out of the Picture

28/03/2025

4

Chapter 4 04. A Restaurant, a Maserati, But No Sofia

28/03/2025

5

Chapter 5 05. A Stranger, A Perv, and A Knight at the Bottom of the Stairs

28/03/2025

6

Chapter 6 06. Blood and Bargains

28/03/2025

7

Chapter 7 07. Off To A Hotel

28/03/2025

8

Chapter 8 08. Bruised and Bound

28/03/2025

9

Chapter 9 09. A Breakfast, A Bath, and Another Problem

28/03/2025

10

Chapter 10 10. An Heiress's Obsession

28/03/2025

11

Chapter 11 11. Initial Proposition

28/03/2025

12

Chapter 12 12. A Contract and A Condition

10/04/2025

13

Chapter 13 13. Negotiations

10/04/2025

14

Chapter 14 14. His Future Wife

10/04/2025

15

Chapter 15 15. In For A Bitchy War

10/04/2025

16

Chapter 16 16. Hot and Heavy

11/04/2025

17

Chapter 17 17. Madam Carrie

11/04/2025

18

Chapter 18 18. Packing Up

14/04/2025

19

Chapter 19 19. Underground Dealings

14/04/2025

20

Chapter 20 20. The Orphanage

14/04/2025

21

Chapter 21 21. What Happened to the Children

15/04/2025

22

Chapter 22 22. A New House

16/04/2025

23

Chapter 23 23. A Marriage Agreement and A Child

16/04/2025

24

Chapter 24 24. The Old Man of the Alcaraz Family

16/04/2025

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Chapter 25 25. A Night of Flamboyance

17/04/2025

26

Chapter 26 26. Heated Moment

17/04/2025

27

Chapter 27 27. Trapped Souls

18/04/2025

28

Chapter 28 28. Signed and Sealed

18/04/2025

29

Chapter 29 29. Last Day As A Waitress

18/04/2025

30

Chapter 30 30. Valeria, the New Body Guard

18/04/2025

31

Chapter 31 31. A Twisted Tournament

19/04/2025

32

Chapter 32 32. Meeting the Acting Coach

19/04/2025

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Chapter 33 33. A Fight and a Wedding Schedule

20/04/2025

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Chapter 34 34. Wedding Gowns and A Call

20/04/2025

35

Chapter 35 35. A Shotgun Wedding

22/04/2025

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Chapter 36 36. A Trip After Being Wed

22/04/2025

37

Chapter 37 37. Sasha Alcaraz

23/04/2025

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Chapter 38 38. A Promise For Later

23/04/2025

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Chapter 39 39. Drunken Frenzy

24/04/2025

40

Chapter 40 40. A Busy Market and A Wounded Arm

24/04/2025