The Strongest Clan

4- Lexi Montreal

13 years ago.

"Bartender two more drinks." Jacques Montreal said then he put down his empty glass for the seventh time.

"Two 100-year-old Kintos Scotch on the rocks coming up." The bartender said and then began pouring their drinks which he then gave to them.

"I can't believe it. We are finally putting our family's feud behind us." Grant Seemore said looking in Jacques Montreal's eyes as he swirled the ice in his drink.

Jacques Montreal's face was flushed with red from the liquor he had consumed. With his head hanging slightly, he lethargically lifted his glass in the air," I dare say. It should have happened much sooner."

"I'll drink to that."

Clink!

"Those old timers always bickering. It's because of them the Lightening clan is in such a bad space. Just think what it could be like if our two companies united? We could bring the lightning clan to a new age." Grant Seemore said slurring his words.

"We no longer need to think about it. Now that we both are in power in our respective companies, we make the decisions. Our companies are now united because we want it to be so."

"Ha-ha, true, true. That is why we are here tonight celebrating. But do you think our people will fall in line? We have been at war with each other forever." He said shaking his head in disbelief.

"They will have to. Plus I'm sure once they see all the good that comes from it, they will understand."

"Truthfully, change will happen but only later. We can't wait that long, we need something to commemorate our merger immediately."

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"Well, your wife is pregnant with a daughter and mine with a son. Your wife and mine plus you and I come from a long line of pure lightning wielders. That's how we know for sure when our children awaken they will be lightning wielders too. If we consummate our merger on the marriage of our children we can unite our two houses. And when they married they can run our companies together thus ensuring the longevity of our agreement."

All the blood rushed to Jacques Montreal's face and he sobered up as if he never had a sip of alcohol, "No! I can't do that to my daughter." He disagreed vehemently.

"This has been our custom for generations. Even your marriage was arranged." He argued while raising his voice.

"It's exactly these old customs that I am trying to abolish. I want my daughter to find love on her own."

"I too want the same for my son. What, you don't think I don't want my son to be able to choose his own wife? You think I want this? I don't but I don't see how we will be able to unite our companies, our houses, if we don't do this. I understand you want to be the change and you can be. However, in order to make changes, this has to happen. I don't see our merger working without it and I will not take part in anything I know is doomed."

"Are you threatening me?" He said glaring at Grant Seemore.

Laughing awkwardly, "Not at all" "I'm just letting you know my terms and conditions. But before you make your decision, weren't you the one who told me, 'sometimes great change requires great sacrifice.'" He said furrowing his eyebrows.

Jacques Montreal sighed deeply then he began thinking while swirling his drink in his glass. After two minutes of silence, he reluctantly said, "Okay."

"Okay what?" Grant Seemore enquired.

"Okay, I agree to our children's arranged marriage. However, I have some terms and conditions." He emphasised 'terms and conditions' more than he had to, "They will only get married at age 16. This way they will be old enough to know what love is. Now, I'm not saying they need to love each other. But if they hate each other and I mean detest each other or for another extreme reason then we are allowed to cancel the wedding."