David Smith, middle aged, rich, successful; a strong believer of so-called true love. It is where our unfortunate story begins, revolving around his “love.” Although our Mr. Smith was successful, he was lonely, and as the old saying goes- you can’t buy happiness. Just two months ago, he had been the happiest man alive, with a beautiful wife, riches, love. What more could a man ask for? However, he was not content, he wanted more; he wanted perfection.

His wife was a beautiful woman from a working class family. Mr. Smith hosted many parties, and before every party, she was always dolled up- listening to her husband’s demands.

Unable to keep up with first class life, she sought refuge with another man, someone who led a simple life. But as always, the truth was discovered. Our Mr. Smith was devastated. His wife, cheated on him with a man whose riches didn’t even add up to a quarter of his total? No, this could not be.

He stayed in this condition for a two whole months, thinking about the beautiful woman who left him for another man. He provided her with everything, did he not? Food, clothes, luxury, wasn’t that what women wanted? To be pampered like dogs, taken out to show off their beauty, like dogs in a dog show.

Then she came.

Beautiful, kind- a replica of his former love. Tanya Wallace, starting from a lowly secretary, using her own skill and wit, assigned to be the manager of his hotel. The way she did everything, even the smallest things seemed exactly like her. So strangely similar.

Unable to avoid her, he decided to do the opposite. The way she looked at him, that look of delight on her face when her boss asked her out for lunch was similar to the woman he once loved. It drove him mad, to sit across the same table and to be reminded.

It seemed impossible, this weird, yet wonderful creation- it was like it was sent by God to himself, possibly compensation for his broke heart.

Soon, he forgot about that other woman, and forgot the pain that she caused him. Tanya Wallace moved in with him, and life carried on for him, as if that other woman had never left him.

But, my dear readers, forgetfulness resides with ignorance.

It was two whole months into their “happy” relationship that he began to notice a change. Tanya seemed to be unhappy to be with him, and was not satisfied with anything that he did. Ignoring the changes, he continued to host parties, and insisting that she attend. As he often told his male friends in private, “women are just like dogs, meant to be taken out for show, pampered and taken care of, like dogs in a dog show.”

And then, one night, he saw her again.

Yes, the woman who left him for another man. Suddenly, all the pain she caused him, the memories, good and bad, flooded back into him, like a wave coming in, filling in the rock pools, and erasing all signs of life. It seemed like yesterday that she left him; it was just painful enough to watch her, sit there, sipping her coffee, talking to her friend.

Moving in closer to get a better look, he saw how much happier she looked. Unable to control himself, he started to call out, but stopped just in time…

For the “friend” she was conferring with was Tanya Wallace.

Right. No big deal, he thought. Possibly just long lost friends, that just happened to meet each other at the same time, same place and decided to sit down and have a chat, he thought. They could have known each other through school, work, neighbours even. Words of comfort ran through his head, calming him.

That night, in bed, David Smith asked his bride-to-be, about the woman. She seemed startled, stuttering back a reply, that that woman was only a friend she knew from school. Satisfying his need for reassurance, he pushed the thought aside.

Meanwhile, there was trouble at his company. As mentioned before, dear readers; David Smith was rich. Filthy Rich. His prize possessions included the luxury 5 star hotel he had inherited from his father, located in California. It was a hotel for those who enjoyed only the very best.

Recently however, there just seemed to be a lack of money. How could that be? His hotel was pure luxury, and had never experienced financial difficulties. Well… never … until Tanya was assigned to the job.

Devastation, and confusion struck him like a blow to the face. Fury welled up inside him. Did he not provide her with everything? Luxury, 5 star comfort; wasn’t that enough? She had turned against her master, and betrayed him, just like a dog that bites the hand that feeds it.

Determined to figure out the motive, he decided to set someone on her, reporting back her every move. The “detective” reported seeing her constantly meeting up with her.

Shock ran through his body like electricity passing through wire.

Determined to find out the relation between them, he followed Tanya one night to a lonely park in the middle of the city. Not long after, someone came.

Her.

Tanya and that woman seemed to be exchanging something. Heart racing, David Smith moved in closer. Unable to resist, he shouted out angrily. Caught in mid-act, they froze. Dear readers, imagine the awkward silence between the three of them. The ex, the future bride, and the victim…

The silence seemed to strain, until she spoke.

“David. We meet again. And seeing as we’re caught, I might as well tell you everything. You see, Tanya was sent by me. My creation, sent by me, to get close to you. To hurt you in every way possible. It was I, I who thought of the idea of turning your hotel bankrupt. And do you know why? You made this happen. You and your never-ending demands; taking away my confidence, treating me like your accessory. And you did it again with Tanya. Treating her like a dog, just someone to boost your ego…”

Speechless, our character staggered back, unable to take in anything she said. No, not true. He knew what women wanted. Like dogs, pampered, never quite in the spotlight, but just next of it, next to its master.

David Smith, lost like a dog, kicked aside, winced with pain, as his loved ones turned and walked away, just like a dog that turns on its master, and bites the hand that feeds it…