Hidden Blessings (2)

Valentina continued to stare at Kaiser suspiciously while they continued to split the enormous bouquet among several of the vases. By the time they were done separating the flowers and arranging the vases around the room, it was almost midnight and time for part 2 of the music video to be released.

Just as she was going to head back to her room with a vase of flowers, Kaiser stopped her.

"Shall we watch the second part of the music video? I'll make you some cocoa." 

"Ah, I planned on watching it alone like yesterday…" she trailed off as she saw his downcast expression again.

"…okay. let's watch it together." She couldn't help but give in.

"Good. I'll grab you a drink and some snacks." Kaiser replied in a satisfied manner.

Suddenly feeling mentally weak, Valentina sank onto the couch and quickly turned the TV. She truly didn't know what was going on with Kaiser today. For some reason, he seemed subtly pushy and clingy today. What the hell was on his mind?

"You're snacks milady." As Kaiser presented her with a delicate tray with hot chocolate and shortbread cookies, she examined his face trying to find a hint for how he was feeling.

"Thank you." She absentmindedly took the tray from him but continued to stare at him as he sat down on the opposite end of the couch.

"Is there something on my face?" He glanced at her curiously before grinning mischievously, "Or do you just think I'm exceptionally handsome today?"

"No. I just think you're behaving weirdly. Actually, never mind. Let's just watch the video." Valentina simply rolled her eyes and sipped her drink. Maybe the weird feeling was all in her head. He seemed like he was back to normal.

"Mmm, it's about to start," Kaiser commented as he grabbed the remote and increased the volume. He laid his arm on the back of the chair in a casual manner, smiling innocently at Valentina when his finger brushed her hair.

"Behave yourself," Valentina warned him with narrowed eyes and he couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes ma'am."

As the second part of the music video came on and the beginning piano sounds of 'Bring Me to Life' sounded out, he turned to focus on the screen.

POV Kaiser Grayson

As the opening sounds of the music video sounded out, Kaiser found himself completely entranced.

It started off with the scene of the 4 angels and demons happily lounging together before zooming into Valentina's crystal green eyes. He watched the lively and bright expression in her eyes fade into one of pain and darkness as it transitioned into a battle scene where she repeatedly fell and got attacked. Seeing her cough up blood as her body curled up in pain, he could feel heartache and had to turn to look at her to make sure that she was alright. No matter how he looked at it, it looked like a real hit, and she was so fragile looking it was amazing her bones didn't break.

As the scene continued, he watched Rio appear on screen. As he held, hugged, and comforted Valentina in the video, Kaiser could feel his irritation build. He knew the voice he had heard this morning had sounded familiar! It had been him!

"…Just let me stay by your side. I will never betray you."

Kaiser watched with cold eyes as Rio Greiner confessed on the screen to the angel Valentina. He wasn't an expert in evaluating actors, but when he remembered how Rio had challenged him at the restaurant where he first met Valentina, he felt as if there was some truth to the words he was saying.

He watched as the final battle on-screen ended and the demon carried the angel's dead body into a burning pyre at a beach. The demon pressed a kiss to the angel's forehead before walking with no hesitation into the flames. As the song came to an end, the frame zoomed into the sad smile on the demon's face before he turned into black ashes that intertwined with the angels' white ones and blew away on the ocean breeze.

As the final notes of the song sounded on the piano, Kaiser could hear slight sobs beside him.

He turned to the side and saw that Valentina was discreetly wiping tears from her face while looking down at her phone.

"Valentina, are you crying?" 

"No. My eyes are sweating." She replied while sniffling.

Completely unsure of what to do, Kaiser just stared with his hands awkwardly raised. He didn't know if it was acceptable to pat her hair or hug her and didn't want to overstep himself.

"I'm sorry? What can I do to help you feel better?"

Valentina simply shook her head and wiped her eyes on her oversized sweater before giving him a soft relieved smile.

"It's really nothing. It's just that I'm just happy to see something I worked on successfully released. Plus hearing the song lyrics and seeing everything come together really set it home for me. If Luca was here, I would hug him and give him a kiss." she lightly chuckled.

Seeing that slightly relieved smile, and remembering her giving herself affirmations on the swing, Kaiser felt that he understood what she meant. With no hesitation, he shifted over on the couch and patted her softly on the head, his fingers gently stroking the soft silky strands of her hair.

"Congrats on a job well done and a successful release Valentina. I know I'm no Luca, but I can give you a hug if you want? My arms are quite large, warm, and great to snuggle into. The kiss is also very welcome." Kaiser softly murmured as he continued stroking her hair. 

Valentina leaned into his fingers, dropping the entirety of her head into his palm as he massaged her scalp. Her eyes closed and she felt herself relax as her tears dried up.

"You know, that's what your son says about mine. Why do I feel like you want the kiss more than anything?" she joked before opening one eye to glance at him.

"Guilty as charged." Kaiser laughed to himself as he continued to massage her head feeling gratified as he heard her sigh happily.

"What did you think of the video?" Valentina asked suddenly as she pulled her head away from him.

"It was good. I think you did really great and conveyed a lot of emotion, especially the sadness you felt and the death scene. It made me quite sad." Kaiser immediately praised her as he saw the hopeful expression on her face. Of course, he said not a single word of praise about Rio.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I quite liked it and I'll probably watch it again."

"Mm please do. We're trying to beat a record after all." Valentina gave him a wide smile.

Her phone suddenly rang, and she glanced down at it. It was Rio calling.

She quickly silenced it but then it rang again. Right as she wanted to ignore it, Kaiser spoke up.

"Don't you have to answer that?"

She glanced up at him, noting that although he was smiling, she felt like she sensed a cold aura coming from him.

"Ah, it's okay. It's not important. I can call back later." She laughed, feeling nervous for some reason as she ended the call once more although in her head she was cursing Rio out. Why was he calling her now?

"There's no need to be shy. It looks like whoever is calling is calling back repeatedly. You should answer it." Kaiser insisted with a gentle but dangerous smile as he glanced at the name flashing on the cell phone. His large hands gently picked up the phone and held it to her.

Authors Note: *This MV is based on the Evanescence song – Bring Me to Life. It's a great song even if it's older. Definitely check it out!*