Kiss (2)

"Is that right? Okay, then tell me, Valentina, what exactly was your plan that you would figure out for this situation if I hadn't done anything? I'm listening." Kaiser gave her the expectant look he reserved for executives at his company when they gave him a proposal full of holes.

Like a cat playing with a mouse, Kaiser calmly watched her with a light smile on his face.

Valentina could only stare at Kaiser blankly as she had never heard him use such a cold and strict voice on her before.

Seeing as she looked stunned, Kaiser immediately softened his tone.

"I don't mean to be harsh with you, Valentina. I honestly want to know your thought processes, so let's talk through this. Let's start from the beginning, and I'll play devil's advocate. What was your plan if Aaliyah had gotten hold of the video of you pulling her down the stairs and shared it publicly? Or if she overpowered you and fell while looking like you pushed her? How would you defend yourself?"

"…but she didn't. I was sure I could take her." Valentina replied weakly.

"Because you were lucky and because I grabbed the footage in time. Moving on, we've established sharing your medical documents will do nothing for the public. Sure, you have injuries, and she does too. What else were you planning to do?"

"Multiple people witnessed the incident. I could have them vouch for me to the public." Valentina promptly responded.

"Interesting thought, but why would they speak up? Aaliyah didn't call you out by name publicly. Furthermore, she's well known, you're not, and her family is well to do with a lot of power. It wouldn't be prudent for less-known artists to support you. And even though you plan to leave Black Rock Entertainment, you're still there now. If others came to your aid, it would be detrimental to their career and have zero benefits. No one would risk that for a nobody, no offense."

"But the director saw everything that happened. He should at least back me and make a statement if he witnessed everything." Valentina protested, ignoring the slight insult.

"I asked him to handle it and give me a good explanation, yet he's allowed himself to be swayed and let Aaliyah post the nonsense I saw today. It seems I need to speak with the good director." Kaiser's gaze turned cold, and Valentina couldn't help but shiver as she looked at it. "But disregarding that, what else?"

Valentina gazed at him with a sigh. This was her final card, and she felt bad using it, but she felt worse with the way Kaiser was coaching her through this as if she were a child.

"I know I shouldn't have, but I recorded Aaliyah and I's conversation before I…fell down the stairs. I planned on threatening her with it unless she decided to come out with a joint statement."

"Oh really?" Kaiser gave her an impressed look, "Let me hear it."

Kaiser nodded approvingly as he listened to Aaliyah's enraged voice coming from her phone.

"Not bad. Although it would be overkill for such a small issue, this would definitely blow up both of your careers and make people completely forget about this issue and jump to something juicier. It's a good card to have in your back pocket, but in the end, the person who will be most affected is you. But what else? How do you plan on turning this situation around and clearing your name without using this valuable recording?" Kaiser asked with a small smile on his face.

Valentina: "..."

Watching as Kaiser calmly and reasonably blocked each of her arguments, she unwillingly realized that he was right and that maybe she was treating the situation too lightly. 

"Even though you're right, I don't want to admit it. I feel like you're being patronizing," Valentina grumbled while looking away.

Chuckling, Kaiser stroked her head, taking the opportunity to hold her hand and entwine their fingers. As she pulled away, he gently lifted it again and pressed a kiss to her wrist.

"Don't be mad at me. I don't mean to be patronizing; I am truly just worrying because I care for you. A lot. I just want you to be a bit more careful and feel comfortable asking me to help you when you're facing a situation you can't handle. You almost asked me to help you at the hospital, but you stopped." Kaiser sighed before releasing her hand, "Why?"

"It has nothing to do with you. It was my problem to deal with," Valentina replied with a stubborn expression.

"How can you say that? I told you I'm here for you. Could it be you don't believe me? Do I seem that untrustworthy?" 

"It's not that…I am just used to dealing with things by myself. And I knew you would say some nonsense like give me a kiss if I asked you for help. And I don't know if I can trust you."

Seeing her roll her eyes, Kaiser chuckled before replying.

"Despite my words, have I ever acted inappropriately to you? Made you uncomfortable, or said something completely offensive?"

"…No."

"I trust you to be alone with my only son and heir with no observation because I thought we had a deal and, more importantly, we were friends. Am I wrong? Are we not friends?"

"…We're friends, I guess. But I don't want to bother you or depend on you to solve all of my problems. I'm not a plant in a greenhouse that needs to be protected." 

Seeing that she was still insistent, Kaiser sighed before flicking her forehead.

"There's nothing you can do that would be a bother. I don't mean to brag, but I'm dealing with issues at a larger scale than this on a daily basis. Even Roman creates messes larger than this, and he's my brother. Helping out someone I'm interested in and, more importantly, someone I consider a friend is no trouble at all. Me asking for a kiss is just my true feelings coming out and wanting you to make a move on me." Kaiser gave her a sly smile before continuing.

"And depending on me to solve all your problems? Sure, that would be nice, but I don't think you would ever allow that. I would feel much more at ease if I knew you would ask for help in situations like this. That is what friends are for, after all. We help each other. When our contract is over, I plan on asking you for help with Luca and anything else I can think of, and I hope you can do the same with me. If you are dead set on dealing with your family and making them pay, I want you to ask me for help if you need it or become devious enough so you won't get caught."

"I thought I was devious enough this time…" Valentina grumbled.

"I give it a 40/100. Nice try, but no cigar. Do you plan to continue going against your family and Aaliyah?"

Valentina thought it over. Although she was a peaceful person, since Aaliyah and the Salazars would not leave her be, she would fight back and even go on the offense if needed. And thinking about her current tasks and the fact that the system might give her more, she nodded.

"Then you're in for a world of pain. You're going against someone who grew up in the aristocratic circle, who has connections in entertainment, and who has someone strong backing her. Just like in this situation, you'll need help. I'm volunteering to help you out."

"But Kaiser…"

"No buts. I dealt with it, and this way, it doesn't look like you're attacking Aaliyah or her fans. You won't be accused of fabricating evidence, and nothing can be linked to you. She's painted as the bad guy; you're the good guy, and everyone wins." Laughing lightly, Kaiser slowly sat up until his back was braced against his headboard, and she was sitting between his legs.

As he maintained eye contact with her, Kaiser pulled a strand of her hair and pressed it to his lips, giving her a sly smile. "I think I did a pretty good job, don't you? So Valentina, instead of being upset, why don't you say 'thank you, Kaiser', 'good job, Kaiser', 'let me reward you with a kiss, Kaiser'."

As her face turned red, he hooked one hand around her waist while tangling the other in her hair, pulling her a bit close to him.

"Give me a kiss, Val."

"You stop your nonsense. Your son is right there!" Valentina hissed as she struggled to get up, but he held her tightly and pulled her even closer, causing her to almost fall into him.

"He's fast asleep, and you know he's a heavy sleeper. Don't I deserve a reward and bribe for all the work I'll be doing?" Kaiser asked her sweetly as he tightly held onto her waist and brought her close to him.