Chapter 32
It had only been a week since the first meeting Minako had with her lawyer, and seen Kunzite. Her lawyer called her first thing that morning, asking her to come in this afternoon as he needed to discuss somethings concerning her case. Her meeting with Mr. Hakasha was for 3:00, and she asked Ami to join her again. Ami would know what questions to ask, as well as explain things so Minako could understand them. Mr. Hakasha wasn't always great at that.
Right now she was sitting in the waiting area for her lawyer, and Ami was just walking. Ami smiled at her, and sat down.
"Hi Mina. Do you know what he called for?" Ami asked quietly.
Minako just shook her head.
"Mina, is something wrong?" Ami asked, looking concerned.
"Umm….well….there have been some break ins at my apartment building." Minako whispered.
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. I magically lock the place when I'm there."
"And if someone is in there when you got home?"
"Artemis will beep me to let me know. I'll call the police, and wait in the lobby."
"I don't like it. Maybe you can stay with Mako or Rei until you find a new, safer place."
Just then they were called into Mr. Hakasha's office.
"I'll be fine Ami. I promise." Minako said as she and Ami walked into Mr. Hakasha's office.
"Good afternoon Miss. Aino. Good to see you again Miss. Mizuno. Please have a seat." Mr. Hakasha said from behind his desk.
Both girls greeted the man, and sat down.
"I'll get right to it. I reviewed the contracts, as well as did some research. It turned out that the lawyer that your parents brought to the contract negotiations was in fact their personal lawyer, and a close friend of your father's Miss. Aino. He went as their lawyer, not yours. They misrepresented that to both companies. Furthermore, the accountant that was supposed to be your personal, separate accountant was indeed your father. They lied out right. I have since been in touch with both agencies, as well as your parent's lawyer. I have sent a formal cease and desist letter to your parent's lawyer. I did hear back from both agencies already. They are more than willing to work this situation out in any way they can. They are also willing to give a sizeable settlement for their part in allowing the contracts to go thru. As far as your parents go, unfortunately they are refusing to drop the suit. I have put in a request to have all financial records for your bank accounts from the date you signed the contract to the day they were closed. As well as all financial records for your parents." Mr. Hakasha explained.
"Why do you need all of that stuff?" Minako asked.
"Well for your accounts, to see what and how much was withdrawn, as well as what that money went to pay for. For your parents accounts to see if deposits into their accounts match withdraws from yours. If there are it will show them, essentially stealing money from you."
"Mr. Hakasha, can I ask something?" Ami asked.
"You can." Mr. Hakasha answered.
"Will both companies assist Minako in her case against her parents?" Ami questioned.
"I'm honestly not sure. They would rather not, but they will if they must." Mr. Hakasha answered.
"But what about my current contracts?" Minako asked.
"They will not be effected. I was asked to let you know that they need to schedule some time with you to record a few commercials for the coming video game, as well as do a photo shoot, soon." Mr. Hakasha stated.
"Ok. So now what?" Minako asked.
"Once I receive all of the financial records, and they're thoroughly reviewed, I will file a countersuit against Mr. And Mrs. Aino. I do have to request that you have no contact with them during this though." Mr. Hakasha explained.
"Ok." Minako said.
"Mr. Hakasha, you stated both companies are offering settlements for this. What are then stipulations on her accepting them?" Ami asked.
"In the simplest terms, that this situation not be made public, and that Minako maintain her contracts with them for another 2 years, as originally agreed." Mr. Hakasha answered.
"And what are the amounts?" Ami questioned.
"About half of what she should have received had she been receiving the correct percentage, instead of her parents." Mr. Hakasha respond.
"How much is that?" Minako asked.
Mr. Hakasha wrote down the numbers, and passed it to her. With that amount she wouldn't need to apply for a loan or scholarship for college. She could also afford to live in her apartment without having to get a job until after she finished college. Minako just nodded, and passed the paper back.
"Ok. I guess I have paperwork to do?" Minako questioned.
Minako spent another hour doing paperwork. Once finished she, and Ami grabbed a quick dinner, and went to train for a few hours. Minako needed to clear her mind. She didn't talk, and Ami didn't force her to. By the time she got home, she was tired, and sore, but her mind was clear.
She didn't even acknowledge Artemis until after she was showered, and dressed in lounge pants and a tank top. When she walked into her living room she finally noticed the plastic bags sitting on floor with what looked like hardware in them.
"Artemis, what's all of this?" Minako asked the cat while looking in the bags.
"Stronger locks for the windows, and door." Artemis answered.
"Where did they come from?"
"Now Mina, hear me out before you get angry, ok?"
"Artemis, . .From."
"Kunzite."
"WHAT? WHY? WHY DID HE COME HERE? WHY DID HE BUY THESE?" Minako screamed.
"Because I went to him, and asked him to." Artemis answered.
"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? YOU KNOW I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM!"
"Because there needs to be better locks on everything! Mina, it's not safe here any more!"
"I magic lock up when I'm home. Artemis you know that."
"That doesn't work when you're not here. One of the tenants went to the hospital last night because she was attacked. She came home during a break in. She was almost killed."
"You should have told me. Not him! I could have gotten these."
"I did Mina. You told me not to worry. That you would be fine."
"I AM FINE! I DON'T NEED ANY OF THIS OR HIM!"
"YOU ARE NOT FINE MINAKO! YOU ARE ANGRY, DISTRACTED, AND ACTING RECKLESSLY! YOU COULD GET YOURSELF KILLED! SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK OUT FOR YOU!"
"I can take care of myself!"
Minako was beyond angry! How dare Artemis think she couldn't take care of herself! How dare he go to the one person she wanted nothing to do with! How dare Kunzite think he had a right to "take care of her". She could take care of herself.
She took off out the window, and up the fire escape to the roof. She could hear Artemis calling after her, but she ignored him. As soon as her feet touched the roof she glanced around to make sure no one was around, transformed, and took off across the roofs of the city. She had no destination in mind, she just ran.
After awhile she found herself back at Tokyo Tower, again. She paced, and fumed for what felt like hours. She needed to do something about Kunzite. He couldn't keep doing stuff like this. Once she decided to tell him to just stop, she yanked on the bond HARD to bring him to her, and waited