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.
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 seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched 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 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. Today, we were only three-Danilo, the cashier and overall runner; Mike, who was in the back grilling meat; and me, 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, 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 was 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 think 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!" I shot back, tilting my chin. "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."
My jaw clenched. Are you kidding me? I turned back to the man, feeling the heat on my cheeks. "See? You're forcing her 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 shot back.
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 so 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."
I clenched my jaw. 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.
The little girl huffed. "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 of seeing each other again.
I forced myself to turn away, walking stiffly, 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.
"Tiffany Viaje Del Cargador is poised to inherit her father's empire within the Alpha Brotherhood-a secretive, ruthless syndicate. But first, she must prove herself by posing as a high school student in Liban to hunt down a rival assassin. The mission takes a dark twist when she uncovers family secrets and a brutal fate set by her father. Determined to break free from his control, Tiffany forms a plan that goes beyond revenge. With her girlfriend Marie Joyce by her side, she's ready to dismantle the brotherhoods'empires-even if it means facing her own family."
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
On their wedding night, Rogelio wrapped his fingers around Marian's neck and spat at her, "Congratulations! From now on, you live in hell!" The reason for his wrath was that he believed she was responsible for the death of his elder brother. So, he married her but refused to touch her, determined to make her suffer for the rest of her pitiful life! However, due to an unforeseen accident, Marian was forced to sleep with Rogelio in order to save him, and she ended up getting pregnant. Concealing her pregnancy, Marian lived cautiously under Rogelio's watchful eyes. He hated her and relentlessly humiliated her, yet he would never allow anyone else to lay a finger on her— "Mr. Bailey, your wife got into a fight with someone!" Rogelio secretly took action, eliminating that person completely. "Sir, your wife claimed that all of your family's wealth belongs to her!" Rogelio quietly transferred all the shares to her. Unaware of all this, Marian only wanted to escape, but Rogelio pulled her into his warm embrace, whispering, "Mrs. Bailey, where do you intend to go with our unborn child?"
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Elena, once a pampered heiress, suddenly lost everything when the real daughter framed her, her fiancé ridiculed her, and her adoptive parents threw her out. They all wanted to see her fall. But Elena unveiled her true identity: the heiress of a massive fortune, famed hacker, top jewelry designer, secret author, and gifted doctor. Horrified by her glorious comeback, her adoptive parents demanded half her newfound wealth. Elena exposed their cruelty and refused. Her ex pleaded for a second chance, but she scoffed, “Do you think you deserve it?” Then a powerful magnate gently proposed, “Marry me?”