Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

Chapter 1

At the Spectra Awards ceremony, rising star Zara Hayes received her first Best Actress award. When the host

asked how she felt and planned to reward herself, she turned to the award presenter beside her, Dorian Blake-

the screen legend.

"Can | have your sandalwood bracelet, Mr. Blake?"

Her words stunned the audience. Everyone in the entertainment industry knew that the sandalwood bracelet

was Dorian's most treasured possession and never left his side since his debut.

There had long been rumors in the industry that Dorian was offered a luxury watch endorsement. At that time,

the brand wanted him to wear their watch exclusively, without his sandalwood bracelet. However, Dorian flatly

refused, stating he would rather forgo the endorsement than take off his beloved bracelet.

To salvage the situation, the brand specifically designed a Zen-inspired watch to go with his sandalwood

bracelet. So, had Zara gone nuts? Why would she ask for Dorian's bracelet?

The host froze on stage and found himself in a quandary. Just as everyone awaited a rejection from Dorian, he

surprisingly let out a chuckle and slowly removed his bracelet from his wrist to put it onto Zara's.

In the audience, Lila Hart witnessed the scene in silence. Unbeknownst to the world, the well-respected screen

legend on stage was her boyfriend of five years. Similarly, rarely anyone knew that she acquired the sandalwood

bracelet after painstakingly climbing a thousand stairs up to Mount Shasta.

Of course, nobody knew she carved the primrose patterns on the sandalwood beads themselves.

Onstage, Zara excitedly showed off the bracelet. "Thank you, Mr. Blake, for all the encouragement and

knowledge you've generously shared with me. I'll continue to work hard and look forward to seeing you all in the

next project."

Her voice was as sweet as her appearance. A faint smile lit up Dorian's face, but it quickly vanished when he

turned toward Lila and noticed her empty seat.

On her way back to the company, Lila could hear discussions about Dorian and Zara's interaction at the awards

ceremony. Sourness formed tears that welled up in her eyes, and she hurried into the washroom.

After the cold water hit her face, she lifted her head to look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes reddened at the

sight of her pathetic state after a frantic escape.

She and Dorian had known each other for seven years and dated for five. She had stood by him as he

transformed from a nobody into a screen legend. Despite all the blood, sweat, and tears, she enjoyed the whole

journey because she wholeheartedly did it for him.

When they first started dating, she had seen Zara's picture on Dorian's phone once. He earnestly explained that

she was the girl next door whom he saw as a sister. Lila believed in him at that time.

In the next three years, she willingly sacrificed her passion for directing and put all her effort into building

Dorian. He wasn't well-known then and couldn't land good roles, so she scampered around, begging for

opportunities. That was on top of the fact that the company was unwilling to spend too much resources on new

talent.

As such, Lila took on many jobs at once. She becDorian's manager, assistant, photographer... anything but

her best self.

When they were finally not working, he would cuddle with her on the couch and yearn for the future together.

"Lila, once | win Best Actor, I'll propose and give you the grandest and most beautiful wedding you can ever ask

for. What do you say?"

She wrapped her arms around his waist, affirming, "I'd love that," while she drowned in anticipation. To realize

their wish, she gave her everything to assist him while he similarly worked hard for his career.

Three years later, Dorian won Best Actor and beca screen legend. Before Lila could receive his proposal, the

girl he grew up with returned to the country. Tafter time, Dorian would desert Lila because of Zara; this

lasted for two years.

Of course, Lila had confronted him about it. His justification was that he felt a responsibility to take care of Zara

and honor their years of friendship, especially since she was alone in the country and navigating the cutthroat

entertainment industry.

Lila covered her eyes yet couldn't suppress her urge to cry. To honor their years of friendship, huh? What about

her, though?

For two years, Dorian had been supportive of Zara at every step of the way, including giving her screenplay and

endorsement opportunities.

Lila endured all of it, yet all she got in return was for him to give away that sandalwood bracelet. What made her

fall for Dorian in the first place, then?

She pondered and asked herself, "Was it because we're both orphans and feel for each other? Or was it because

he jumped into the water to save me? But so many other people share the sfate as me; why him?

"Was it because | felt indebted? After everything I've done for him-sacrificing my career, giving my everything so

he could get what he wanted. Haven't | cleared the debt?"

When Lila looked up again, her face had turned normal again. The last two years had worn out all the love she

had for him. After returning to her office, she habitually logged onto Twitter.

"Dorian Blake's Enduring Gift: The Sandalwood Bracelet He Gave Zara Hayes" was the trending news article,

gaining traction every second.

Lila's fingertip trembled. As she tapped on other related posts, the first one that cup was a fan-edited video

of Zara asking for Dorian's bracelet.

At that time, Dorian's back was facing Lila. It wasn't until then that she saw the look on his face. The man, who

was typically serious and unsmiling, looked ever so gentle as he put the bracelet on for Zara.

Their fans fawned over their interaction in the replies section. Within just half a day, the likes had exceeded

three million.

The video looped. As the scene of Dorian casually removing the bracelet flashed across Lila's eyes, she suddenly

recalled the endearing and surprised look he wore when she put it on for him.

Clutching at her chest, she felt engulfed by that painful realization. She tossed her phone to the desk in

frustration, and the clip continued to play.

The sky grew dark, and only the faint brightness from the screen lit up the entire room. At that moment,

someone opened the door and switched on the lights. Lila instinctively covered her eyes, and her phone

happened to run out of battery.

A calm-looking Dorian entered and slightly frowned at the sight of her exhausted state. "Why did you leave

early? | searched the whole venue before finding out you left."

He cto her side and tried to touch her face. Lila dodged his touch and propped herself up to her feet. She

looked up at him, her eyes devoid of any decipherable emotions.

"Why do you look unhappy? Who pissed you off?" he nonchalantly asked.

It wasn't Lila's first tdealing with such an attitude from him, and she had long accepted it. However, her

heart began to clench again after a respite. She squeezed out a smile that was visibly forced.

"Hey, Dorian. Since that bracelet was just right on you, it's probably too big on Zara. Maybe | should take it back

and resize it for her."

Frowning, Dorian explained, "I couldn't just embarrass her onstage today. Besides, Zara only wanted something

new to play with. The bracelet isn't suitable for her anyway.

"lI understand that you don't wantto give it away. Once she gets bored with it -probably around two days I'll

ask for it back."

Of course, Dorian was aware of how inappropriate his action was. However, he didn't have it in himself to reject

her at the sight of her anticipated look. Even if she was only joking, he couldn't embarrass her at an awards

ceremony.

Thus, his solution was to let Zara have it for two days before asking it back. That was a minor issue that required

no debate, right?

Dorian extended his arms and wanted to comfort Lila with a hug. She dodged him once again. "Don't even touch