The Billionaire and His K9
I am Leandro Imperial, thirty-five years old and the CEO of one of the largest shipping and logistics firms in the Philippines. As a wealthy businessman, I am used to being careful with the people around me. But everything changed when I met Sofia—a very beautiful, sweet, and simple woman who works as a charity event organizer. Within a year, she fell in love with me and we decided to get married.
I have a best friend and housemate—“Max,” a retired military K9 Belgian Malinois. I adopted Max four years ago after he retired from the military bomb squad. He is intelligent, loyal, and skilled at smelling danger.
When Max first met Sofia, I noticed that she was always backing away and moaning softly.
« Babe, I don’t think your dog likes me, » Sofia said sadly and seemingly afraid.
“It’s just a change. He’ll get used to you,” I consoled him. I thought Max was just being territorial because he was used to just the two of us in the mansion. I ignored my dog’s warnings.
The Altar Scandal
Our wedding day arrived. It was held in a huge, historic cathedral in Manila, attended by hundreds of billionaires, politicians, and family friends. I stood at the altar, happily waiting for Sofia to walk down the aisle.
Max was there too, wearing a small tuxedo collar, sitting quietly next to my best man.
The music started. The doors opened and Sofia walked in. She looked so beautiful in her long, flowing, pure white wedding gown that cost millions of pesos. Every step she took was like an angel descending to earth.
But when he reached the front of the altar, exactly two meters from me, Max suddenly stood up.
The hairs on my dog’s back stood up. He lowered his head, bared his sharp teeth, and let out a very loud, aggressive, and frightening bark. WOOF! WOOF! GRRRRR!
Everyone was shocked. Sofia froze and fell back. “Leandro! Your dog!”
Before I could even move, Max quickly rushed in! He didn’t bite Sofia on the body, but instead sank his teeth into the thick and long hem of her silk gown. He pulled her back with all his strength while continuing to moan in anger!
“Max, stop! Drop it!” I shouted in panic, trying to stop my dog.
The guests were in a commotion. The women in the front row screamed. “My God, the dog has gone crazy!” a senator shouted. “Security! Shoot that dog!”
“Leandro, help me! I’m hurting! Kill that dog!” Sofia cried and screamed in panic, trying to pull her gown from Max’s mouth and about to kick my dog in the head.
My two bodyguards quickly ran to grab Max, but the dog was too strong and persistent. With one hard pull from Max, we heard a loud tearing sound.
RRRIIIPPPPP!!!
The hem of Sofia’s expensive gown was torn completely, from waist to leg, exposing the many layers of fabric beneath it.
The Horrible Truth
Sofia was about to slap Max in a fit of rage when suddenly a black, heavy, and glittering object fell from inside her torn dress.
CLANK.
