Chapter 615 - Home

The film "The Blair Witch," which raked in 300 million dollars with a mere 100,000-dollar budget, was directed by her. The classic horror series "SAW" and "Final Destination" were her creations. The acclaimed "Kill Bill," hailed as the epitome of violent aesthetics, was also her work. She revived the pirate genre with "Pirates of the Caribbean," and she claimed the second-highest-grossing film in history with "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and the Oscar-sweeping "Chicago" with thirteen nominations was her doing...

If someone like her isn't qualified to direct "The Lord of the Rings," then who else could be deemed worthy of bringing to life their beloved story? The resistance that briefly appeared, like a wave that hadn't even had the chance to rise, silently subsided. Laila, upon learning of this, only smiled faintly, paying no attention. Even if resistance had gained momentum, so what? She owned the rights, and whether or not to make the film was entirely her decision. If people didn't want to watch what she made, they were free not to.

If book fans could successfully resist just because they didn't like something, many movies and TV shows would have disappeared by now.

"Laila, save me a role; I want to make a cameo!" Roy, currently filming the sequel to "Pirates of the Caribbean" on Golden Island, called after hearing the news.

Laila, still on the call, continued organizing things in her hands. "What role do you want?"

"Anything will do, as long as it suits me."

"Antagonist?"

"Sure." Roy chuckled, "As long as you think I'm suitable, I'll go without a second thought."

Laila was a bit speechless; his words were surprisingly convincing. Roy playing the antagonist boss in "The Lord of the Rings" didn't seem quite fitting.

"How's your filming going over there?" Not wanting to respond to his earlier statement, feeling somewhat caught off guard, she shifted the topic.

"Alright, I'll be heading back in a couple of days. I also have to attend the Oscars ceremony." Roy sighed, "I'll be running the race again."

"Be content. Many actors spend their whole lives wishing for a chance to run. Compared to them, you're already a very lucky guy."

Roy burst into laughter, "Of course, I'm the luckiest. Otherwise, how would I have met you?"

Caught off guard by the flirtation, Laila touched her slightly heated ear and felt his deep laughter echoing like a living thing, slipping into her ears.

"Cough." She cleared her throat, disguising the awkwardness. Considering she was in her thirties in her previous life and present, being embarrassed by a young guy in his twenties was quite a reversal. "Returning is good. Abel mentioned a few days ago that he really misses you."

"Is it only Abel who misses me? What about you?" Roy's voice was low.

Whether he intentionally lowered his voice or for some other reason, his voice carried an electric charge through the phone line, causing Laila's heart to race, feeling the blood rushing to her face. Her ear, facing the phone, was especially affected, and she could guess it had turned red.

"I..." I miss you too.

Her words stuttered to a halt right after the beginning. She genuinely didn't understand why others could effortlessly speak sweet words of affection, while she choked on them every time. It was said that her father in this body was a playboy with a knack for romance, so why hadn't she inherited any of that charm?

Fortunately, before she could dwell on it further, someone on Roy's end seemed to be calling him, interrupting their conversation.

"I need to step out for a moment. I'll call you again next time."

Before Laila could sigh in relief, he added, "About what I said earlier, I'll listen to your answer next time."

Roy knew that expecting her to change her mind in one go might be too much, so he intended to gradually work on it. A little bit today, a little bit tomorrow—perseverance would eventually coax the words "I love you" out of her!

Hearing the sound of the call disconnecting, Laila felt relieved to hang up. Fortunately, he didn't press for more, or she might have fainted from an accelerated heart rate.

As for next time... well, let's not think about that headache-inducing topic.

Laila opened the script for "The Lord of the Rings" and began the fifth round of revisions.

A few days later, the Oscars finally arrived.

Due to the ongoing war, this year's Oscars still focused on anti-war themes. In the days leading up to the ceremony, voices were hoping the Oscars would refrain from giving out awards. However, looking at the previous year's edition, it was clear that such requests were like thunder without rain. How could ordinary people understand the significance of the Oscars to those in the film industry? Even in a war-torn country, more people were supporting the Oscars than opposing them.

Roy returned on the day of the Oscars, arriving at noon. Despite having to rush back early the next morning, he felt genuinely glad to be back home.

"Home" had never been a particularly beautiful word in the first nineteen years of his life. When his parents were around, his home was filled with the scent of quarrels, cigarettes, and alcohol. Sometimes, Abel's suppressed cries could also be heard, making returning home an annoying experience.

After his parents left, the only memory left was a door that existed in his mind, leading to a room that was disordered and dark. Home, at that time, was a synonym for coldness. Aside from recalling the painful experiences of abandonment, there was nothing else.

Later, he and Abel were sent to foster care separately, where survival meant fighting for one's place using fists. That wasn't the taste of home; it was just a place to sleep and eat.

After escaping foster care and finding Abel, he spent a considerable amount of time wandering the streets every day. At that time, his home was merely a dim, damp room with only a bed and a wardrobe that seemed to be on the verge of falling apart with every use. The word "home" still held no sentimental value for him.

It wasn't until he met Laila and came to Hollywood with her that he finally had a home of his own for the first time. Living in Reynolds' house, he initially thought it was the happiest time of his life. There, he could live with Abel without worrying about any harm coming to them.

But only when he was taken to the place Laila stayed after getting injured did he understand the true meaning of home. When you're away, you miss everything about home; when you're at home, you cast away all the troubles from the outside world.

Entering the gate, Roy hadn't even had the chance to put down his luggage when he saw Laila tending to the garden in the front yard.

In the sunlight, she was like the most beautiful flower, radiating a dazzling brilliance.

Coming home was truly wonderful!