A SECOND CHANCE

Seeing that Paige was still crying, Zachary dipped his hand into his pocket, took out his handkerchief, and offered it to her.

She stared at his hand, hesitating to take it from him, but he said, "Go ahead, take it."

"Thank you, sir," she replied as she accepted the handkerchief and wiped her tears.

When she was done wiping, Zach said, "If you break down so easily, how can you get to the top? How can you become a star if it's so easy to turn you into a crying vegetable? And what's up with your dress?"

"Well, I... I think someone cut off the rope," Paige sniffled.

"It's your fault," Zachary said, "it's no one else's fault but yours."

Paige was surprised; she could not understand how it was her fault that someone plotted against her.

Zachary saw the look on her face and knew that she did not understand his words, so he began to explain. "You should know that people try to one-up each other at events like this. That's how the world of showbiz is. So you should always be prepared. I looked at the girls who were singing with you and discovered that one of them is your sister. Am I wrong?"

Paige was surprised, "How did you recognize...?"

"Forget about that. You were the one who told me that she treated you horribly and stole a song you wrote, weren't you?"

Paige nodded, "Yes, I was."

"So why weren't you alert? I can bet my life on the fact that she was the one who sabotaged your dress. You should have been more alert and not given her a chance to do that.

When you're in a place like this, you have to be alert at all times. You should always be ready for anything they throw at you. You don't turn your back on your opponent.

Even if you stood together with those girls, you're competing against each other. Only two of you will be selected as the best from this event and finally, only one of you will be signed by the agency hosting it.

You should always look around in places like this. Why did you give your sister the chance to humiliate you? I usually don't give people second chances, Paige, and I especially hate people who are weak. But I'm feeling particularly generous tonight. You have twenty minutes to prepare yourself to perform the last song at this event."

"What!?" Paige could not believe her ears.

"I thought only well-known singers..." she stuttered.

"Stop stuttering and listen. My assistant will wait for you at the door. Go back to your room and get ready. He will give you a new dress to put on, not this one. You told me you've written so many songs before, isn't it?"

Paige nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Good. Pick out one of the best and prepare yourself to sing. You said you wanted a second chance. This is your second chance, Paige. This time around, when you get into that room, guard your belongings properly."

"Thank you very much, sir. Thank you," Paige said gratefully.

As she turned to walk away, Zachary added, "And Paige...."

She stopped and turned to look at him.

"I hope you'll not disappoint me this time."

Paige shook her head, "No, I'll definitely not disappoint you. Thank you so much, sir."

Afterward, she ran inside.

Zach stared at her as she ran away and smiled. He took out his phone and called the top judge of the event. The judge quickly answered when he saw that Zachary was the one calling him.

He went out to take the call and said, "Sir, I saw what happened to your girl."

"Forget about that. I want to say something. She'll be performing as the last candidate. I have taken out the girl who was to perform and kept her in place of that girl," Zach explained.

The chief judge heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, that's really nice. I was already worried since she's your candidate, and from what happened, I can tell that she was sabotaged."

"It's a good thing you were able to figure that out. I'm trusting you'll be able to do what's right and punish those who need to be punished," Zachary replied.

"Of course, I'll definitely do that, Sir," the judge assured. "Since she's your candidate, I will ensure that she comes out as..."

"No, I don't want that," Zach said. "I want her to get a fair chance."

"A fair chance?" the judge confirmed.

"Yes, what I mean is that if she comes out among the top two, it should be because she merits it," Zach explained.

"So, you don't want me to assist or give her preferential treatment?"

"That's what I said," Zachary responded. "I want to make Paige into a star. I want her to become the new sensation because I've seen that she's talented.

But then, I want her to learn how to be strong, and I want her to be able to fight for what's rightfully hers. I don't want things to be handed to her.

Yes, I'll give her opportunities, but she has to merit them. So tonight, if she doesn't meet your expectations, let me know before you announce the result, and if she does, give it to her. That's what I'm requesting of you."

"Okay, I understand you, Mr. Zachary. I'll do just as you've asked," the judge agreed.

"That's nice," Zachary said. "Come and see me sometime in my office."

"Thank you very much, Sir. I'll surely do that," the judge replied.

Meanwhile, Paige hurried towards the room from which she had earlier come out. On the way, she saw Zachary's assistant, and when she met him, he stopped her and said, "Hold on, Paige."

Since she didn't know he was there and had been anxious, she didn't notice him on time. When he called her, she stopped and stared at him.

He handed a dress to her and said, "This is what you're to wear. I don't know if it's your size because it's what was recommended for the initial performer, but you both seem to have the same body shape, so I think it should suit you. Anyway, just make it work."

"Thank you so much, Sir, thank you," Paige replied gratefully.

"Go to your room and get ready. I'll come and knock once it's time, okay?" Luke instructed.

"Thank you," Paige said once again.

She took the dress from him and ran towards the door. When she reached the door of the room, she heard the voices of the girls inside, and her heart began to race.

She knew she was going to face them, and the main thought of how she had been humiliated the first time made her get cold feet.

However, when she recalled that she had gotten a second chance from Zach, and she had to prove herself.

She placed her hands on the doorknob and opened it before going inside.