21. An Uncle's Judgement

Tristan was not liking the direction of his conversation with his uncle Jackson. He didn't like his brother to be judged in the manner his uncle was judging him.

Tristan objected again " Uncle. You can't hold it against my brother that he dated Azurine when he thought Amethyst was no longer alive."

Jackson O'Kane replied firmly " I do hold it against him personally son. He should have mourned her. But he chose another within months of being informed she was no longer alive whcih turned out to be false information. Now that Amethyst is alive, I say he should atone for this before I let him get any closer to the girl he doesn't deserve."

Tristan sighed. He could not believe his uncle. He knew his uncle was just protective of Amethyst because she was Anna's daughter " Uncle. It was his way of mourning Amethyst. They told him she is dead. The Agistini family did not give any information to us that amethyst was still alive in a coma. Trent was moving on and he should have been. It didn't work out with Azurine. She was just there because she resembled Amethyst..."

Jackson dismissed his words " Enough Tristan. I told you my verdict. I expect him to atone for this."

Tristan argued " Atone for what? For trying to move on with Azurine that didn't even work out? Amethyst knows of what Trent did and she is not upset with him. If Amethyst wishes for him to atone then fine. Even her father, Arturo agistini approved of Trent and did not ask him to atone for anything even though Trent was honest about his past relationship with Azurine."

Jackson retorted " Son. I do not accept excuses. In my family, second chances don't exist. I only loved one woman in my life. A man who loves more than one woman in his life is not worthy to be called a man. Unfaithfulness is punished in my organisation unlike in your father's."

Tristan said " But uncle, Trent was not unfaithful. They told him Amethyst was dead. He chose Azurine and they have broken up now. I do not think a decision that he made when he was fourteen should be a basis for a sanction. I agree that unfaithfulness should not be tolerated. But I think you are being too harsh. Trent is honourable."

Jackson asked " Tell me. For argument's sake, if anything happened to Vienna and they told you she is dead will you move on the way your brother did?"

Tristan was taken back " Uncle. I don't think this is a fair question. I am not Trent. We are two different personalities..."

Jackson asked " Answer the question Tristan. Answer it truthfully."

Tristan hesitated and took a deep breath " I do not know. I would feel like I am cheating on her if I moved on but this is all in theory. Only when it is time to make decisions one can be tested. I can't imagine touching another woman but I am seventeen right now. Would I say the same when I was fourteen? I am not certain I would have said the same. How can I be certain?"

Jackson nodded and stood up from his chair and walked to Tristan " Well. Either way Tristan, your brother is guilty of cheating. He was fourteen when he committed the sin. His punishment can be reduced when you choose his sanction due to his age at the time. But he has to get a sanction. It is your first assignment to punish him for his crime against Amethyst Agostini. Are you willing to be commited to your role and all your responsibilities? Are you willing to punish your own brother? I have done this so many times. My siblings know my ethics and my beliefs. They know they can hide from anyone but not me. Do your siblings know that too? You will be the head of O'Kane family meaning you will be of an authority over the O'Neil family and your brother. When I selected you I knew you could make tough decisions. You need to demonstrate it to me that when it comes to family you dont go too soft. "

Tristan looked up at his uncle who was now standing towering over him. He sighed " Uncle. I would willingly discipline my siblings when they deserve it but I won't be unjust and unreasonable." He stood up and looked into his uncle's eyes "I can make him prove his worth to Amethyst but I can't hurt him for committing no crimes. You do question his honour. That is acceptable. That is a legitimate concern. His loyalty has not been tested but he hasn't even had the chance to prove his loyalty and honour for this girl he hardly even sees in his life. Amethyst lives in Milan. Trent lives in New York. I know my brother is honourable. He has never cheated on Amethyst...."

Jackson retorted "He has."

Tristan said "Uncle. You did not let me finish the sentence. I meant he has not cheated on her since she woke up from the coma. I can not punish my brother for a crime he did not comit but I will make sure my brother satisfies you that he is honourable. Obviously his loyalty and honour is not to your liking and he needs to prove himself to you. I can put him in situations to make sure he declares it loud and clear to you with his actions that he is honourable."

jackson stared Tristan down for longer than a few seconds and thought over his words in silence while Tristan didnt waver and held his stare. Jackson admired Tristan's response. He had chosen Tristan for a reason and he didn't even feel the need to test Tristan's qualities. He knew based on what he had seen and heard, Tristan was an extraordinary individual. He was like his father but he was also like his mother. he could see so much of Terence in him as much as he could see enough of Sancia. There was a reason Costanzo, Francesco's brother had fallen for Sancia years ago. Sancia was the perfect woman. She was never his type but it didn't mean he didnt admire her. He could see Tristan had been taught well to be loyal to his blood. He was loyal to his brother for certain. He was going to fight for Trent even though in Jackson's view he didnt deserve it.

Jackson nodded "Very well. I have chosen you as my heir for a reason. I do have faith in your quality as a leader who can lead and make decisions. But I tell you now, if Trent fails to demonstrate his honour, then he must be taught honour maybe in some painful ways too. If he has no honour, maybe he can be taught honour. You will either carry out your responsibilities and act when you should regarding this matter or I will interfere and get involved even if you dont like me to do so. This is a personal matter to me Tristan. I have chosen you as my heir and trust you to take my organisation forward but in personal matters I do tend to act in my own way. Amethyst's mother was my woman. I was going to marry her. It doesnt matter who the father of her children are. I see her children as good as mine. If your brother dishonours Amethyst in future, I will kill him. Make no mistake. I will kill him with my own hands before Agostini catches him. So any sign of disloyalty and weakness should be picked up now before its too late. Maybe if Trent can't commit to Amethyst, he should choose another. Then someone else who is more honourable and deserving of Anna's daughter can come forward."

Just then before Tristan could reply, a knock on the door interrupted them. Both men turned to the door.

Jonas O'Kane opened the door slowly and looked at the two men "I was told to come to inform you uncle that there is a phone call for you. Would you like to take it or shall I tell them to call later?"

Jackson declared "I will take it. We are done here." He then turned to Tristan "When I come back, I will inform Sterlling to resume the meeting where I will introduce you as my heir." He then walked away to the door as he put his hand on Jonas's shoulder "Bond with your cousin. You will see him alot from now on." He then walked out of the room and closed the door.

Tristan could see the affcetion Jackson showed Jonas. Obviously he was special to him as his nephew. He found Jonas fascinating. He was quite competent. But he had no motivation in leadership. He liked to take the back seat but he was quite able. He walked to him "So. Jonas. Who was on the phone? Was it someone important?"

Jonas smiled "Of course. My uncle doesnt like to be interrupted in his meetings. I know who to put on hold and who not to."

Tristan was now standing in front of him. He stared into his eyes "Jonas. Lets cut to the point. Why aren't you in my place right now?"

Jonas was taken back "What do you mean?"

Tristan asked "Why aren't you the one to be declared as your uncle's heir? Why did your uncle have to pick an O'Neil? I know your mother doesnt wish for you to take over the leadership role but I know you have the will. If you wanted the leadership role, you would have taken it against your mother's wishes. I like to know why your uncle went ahead with his plan even though I always thought you will step up in the last minute to express this is your wish to take up the role that you are born for it."

Jonas sighed "How long do you have Tristan? I dont know we dont have that long to go into detail about my life. But you are right. My mother is not the only reason I am not in your place. If I wanted the leadership role I would declare it now. But I don't want it.

Tristan asked " Why not?"

Jonas shrugged "I have other dreams Tristan. We all live with our own dreams. My dream is not to lead. My dream is to defend my family. Not lead it. Our abilities dont make us who we are. Our dreams do. When I went to school, I was told I am weak in mathematics. I took that as an insult. there is nothing I can't do if I work hard for it. I worked hard. I studied hard. Now I got a Mathematics medal to my name. I have scholarships with law schools and many contracts with law firms. In none of my achievements does it say, qualified to lead. I think my mother did hide me from my uncle alot. She didnt let him take me to his business trips as often as she should have. So I became more inclined with the other side of leadership that's defence. I am good with defence. You are good with offence. Together we can survive the FBI offence thats just starting. Times for flying solo has past. Look around that room with so many gangsters. Most of them fly solo. FBI will catch them before they know it. The world has changed. Its not the survival of the fittest anymore. Its the survival of the smartest. Dont you agree Tristan?"

Tristan said "But it is your birth right Jonas to take over from your uncle."

Jonas argued "There is nothing to be proud of in trying to claim something that I know you will be better at. Bloodlines and entitlements belong in the past. You will be leading this organisation forward while I will be your back up in future. Of course I will grudgingly take your place if you refuse it. But I dont want it because I know you will do it better. My uncle has high expectations. Only he accpts perfection and nothing else. I know he doesn't tolerate failure. In his organisation there are no second chances. You are the man for the job because you wont fail."

Tristan asked "Have you failed him before?"

Jonas said "Of course. By pursuing my father I have failed him..."

Tristan argued "You haven't failed him Jonas. Its natural to want to know your father."

Jonas hesitated as he stared at him. He searched Tristan's eyes "I appreciate that. I dont wish to get you involved about my issue with getting to know my father. Dont bring it up with him, ever. I want to deal with it my way. My uncle is very sensitive about it. But I appreciate your words. But overall, know this I am commited to be the one standing behind you in defence. I told you my dream is not to lead. My dream is to be a defender. I need my family to survive and you are the one that can guarantee its survival and only you." He then smiled "Besides, trust me it is no prize to be under my uncle's scrutiny. He will push you to your breaking point. But I will always be your back up behind you to help you and not let you fall no matter how hard you are pushed." He then offered his hand to Tristan to take.

Just then the door opened and Sterling Johnson lead the men inside announcing the meeting was about to start.

Tristan looked at his hand and looked up smiling as he ignored the sounds around him as the rows of chairs were starting to be filled and took his hand and shook it. "I will make sure you won't have to catch me fall. I wont fall Jonas. Thank you... my brother."

Jonas's face lit up at being called his brother. He never had a brother and he was touched to be called one.

As the room was almost filled up, Jackson O'Kane walked in which immediately made the room go completely silent which was at the same time when Jonas said "It will be my honour to serve you my brother." Their destiny was now set in motion.

Jackson knew and the whole room knew what that meant. The only challenge to Tristan's reign could come from Jonas but he just gave his loyalty to Tristan in front of witnesses. So any hope from families who liked to see unrest in the O'Kane family to watch them weaken was dashed. It meant the O'Kanes just got hell of a lot stronger.