The CEO & The Avatar

Chapter 13

Asami's P.O.V.

"In the name of Republic City Police Department I apologize for all the inconvenience we've caused you." One of the officers grinned and nodded. I've never seen police act like this. They barge into my house and leave without explanations.

"Glad to be of service." I answered faking a smile and closed the door. Lin Beifong was busy explaining their mistake of suspecting the wrong house to the media. Good to know that I have nothing to do with the conspiracy. "Korra?"

"They took her." I found Ginger standing in my room. "They'd tasered her so she wouldn't have fought back. She must have been really important for them to go through so much trouble just to get her." Korra, what have you done?

***

"Asami, you came?" Hiroshi asked half surprised and sat down in front of me. I couldn't believe my eyes. The man sitting next to the other end of the table couldn't have been my father. Hiroshi was in prison for 3 years and it is impossible for a person to change that much in such short amount of time. All his hair was gone grey, he'd lost half of his weight and looked cracked. The only detail that made him him, was his loving and caring eyes staring at me.

"I'm here to return this." I answered and put his letter on the table. "Stop writing me. I never want to see or hear from you again." I was about to stand up and leave when he spoke again.

"Please, let me say this one thing and I'll never contact you ever again." I wanted to hurt him the way he hurt me but I couldn't. I wanted to hear him say that everything around me was his fault and I was ready to forgive. I couldn't continue to lose everybody by my side. I was ready to accept Hiroshi with tons of blood on his hands rather than being left alone. I would have stood up against the whole world if that was the price to keep father around. The people whom I devoted myself to, took away my mother, arrested my father and kidnapped Korra. "I'm not good at excuses and don't know what else to say besides what I wrote in the letter." He took a deep breath and continued. "Let's talk business, the reason you came here." I sighed, sitting down. "I heard that Sann bastard loved to spend most of his time in my cabinet. I'm willing to bet he had never expected anyone to record his activities."

"What are you saying, dad?" I interrupted and moved closer.

"What I'm saying is, I would have never in a million years left my cabinet without protection... Video and audio recordings of the last three years, everything you'll need to bring him down, are there. I don't know what you are going to discover but I want you to be strong. And I want you to be careful. I didn't end up in prison for nothing. There were people who wanted me here." He whispered and started to cough, blood spilling out from his mouth. "Listen, Asami, I might not get out of here alive, I want you to enjoy your life and it doesn't matter whom you end up with as long as you're happy. You've grown into a beautiful and wise woman, your mother would have been proud." He sniffled, his eyes getting teary. "Wish we had more time."

"Dad..." I whispered and put my hands on his.

"Physical contact with the prisoner is forbidden." The guard touched his truncheon, making clear that he would have used it if necessary.

"Goodbye, Asami. I love you." Hiroshi freed his hands and stood up, leaving me in tears. No, I can't lose him too. I clenched fists in anger. I had all the wealth in the world but couldn't help my own father in any way that mattered.

***

"What are you doing here?" I asked when I walked into my father's cabinet. "You've made it clear. Everything's over between us, Mako." I needed to find the recordings as soon as possible. I was so close to discovering the truth and have waited more than enough already.

"Listen, I want to say that I'm sorry. I acted impulsively. You know that I would have never done that if I were sober. And then you kissed that... girl. I want you to know that I'm willing to forgive too. We can start over, I can change, I promise... We can still save our companies."

"It's all about companies again... You know what, Mako? I'm tired. I don't want a fresh start, I want to take a break from everything and especially from you. It's not going to work no matter how many times we start over." Of course, what else could have been the reason of him taking blame? It's about cash and prestige again.

"Okay... But don't say I didn't warn you. We are rivals from now on and I'll do anything it takes to put 'Fire Ferrets' at the top." Mako grinned and lit up a cigarette.

"No smoking in my house." I grinned back and burnt the cigarette in the ashtray.

"See you soon, Ms. Sato." Mako put his black coat on and nodded slightly.

"Sooner than you can possibly imagine." I replied.

Finally I was left alone and had time to look for evidence. The room wasn't big but there were four bookshelves, paintings, antique vases and cosmic minerals, which my father adored. I hated those rocks but Hiroshi kept them as a present from the Sann dynasty. San Sann and my father were close friends and they've always wanted our families' union but marriage was never in Hiroshi's plans. Mako had proposed to me several times before but I'd declined. After my father's arrest, they cornered me and I didn't have another option but to accept the proposal. I couldn't understand why San Sann wanted me to marry his son so badly but I get it now. Mako would have bankrupted the corporation. Bolin was never interested in business either and there was nobody left to inherit 'Fire Ferrets'. I received that company as heritage after San's and Naoki's death in a terrible car accident and had to work double shifts.

Found it! The microphone was behind Hiroshi's favorite book and the camera in the painting which he drew for Yasuko. I couldn't believe he ruined his favorite painting to place the camera in it but it was the least expected thing from a person who cherished and honored his wife's memory more than anything in the world.