Adler | The Aces of St.Sinclair BOOK 1.

Revelation | A NINETEEN

"James, I'm trying to help."

I halted my raised hand that had only been inches from the door. Catching wind of a conversation my uncle Louie was having, wasn't anything that should've struck me. Except the name happened to be my dad's name.

I peeked through the slim gap at the door where I could just make out my uncle sat hunched over on his desk phone. "Since when was there a limit to how much I can help? Don't think housing Stevie counts for something external. I agreed because she's my niece. There's nothing to owe me. Do you understand that?"

I rarely ever heard my carefree uncle speak in such an aggravated tone.

"This isn't the time to be prideful, James!" He snapped. "The bank only gave you twenty five days. Even if you somehow tripled sales in that short time, it still wouldn't be enough and you'd have to shut down the shop."

My mouth dropped open in shock. Dad was going to lose the bakery?

I had thought getting this 'scholarship' would ease the financial issues but it appeared that was too fairytale. One big sum out of the equation didn't automatically mean the rest was under the hood. If only I'd done something earlier, the damage could've been prevented. Except what though?

Dropping out would be the last thing they'd want and truthfully, the feeling was mutual.

"Just please think it through," pleaded uncle Louie. "I'm sending the cheque again so you better cash it in... Hello? Hello?"

There was a clatter as Uncle Louie vehemently slammed the phone down, shoulders tensed and back rigid as he exhaled a haggard breath.

I carefully retraced my steps and started to the nearest elevator only two steps ahead of a middle aged woman also entering. I pushed the ground floor button, sighing. I had only planned to drop by his office to thank him for the recent movie he rented.

I hadn't intended for my timing to be so poorly. Or perhaps it was just the opposite.

The distinct scent of smoke hit my nose as the lady beside me lit up a cigarette hanging between her red painted lips. Her hair as sleek as her suit as she spoke indiscreetly in French on the phone pressed against her ear adorned with jewellery. I tried to block out her incessant chatter, reviewing my options;

I could visit my parents on the weekend and tell mum because I knew my dad was probably hiding it from her. Mum was a terrible worrier. If exposed to this, she could convince him to stop being so stupidly stubborn and accept uncle Louie's help. However, that would mean dad would know I knew and he'd get mad at his brother. Then uncle Louie would get mad at me for eavesdropping.

Neither sounded favourable but sadly, those were the options. Going to Ms. Shepherds for assistance was out of the question.

God knows what else her twisted soul would have me do in return.

I rushed out of the fume polluted space the instance the doors opened and started out to St. Sinclair. I wished I could use the academy as a distraction from the dilemma, but I was facing worries there too.

Garren had held a meeting everyday for the past week with only the one last Tuesday morning including everybody else. It was merely a brief sitting for him to declare that from now on, all members without positions were to address him as His Majesty or Lord. I kid you not.

Strangely enough, none of the others raised a complaint about it as they were all nervous under Garren's gaze. It seemed Garren had gotten to them so they only concurred to avoid being ousted or targeted by his wrath rather than out of willingness.

Well, except for maybe Amina who was still hassling about the spot for advisory but was completely ignored.

I actually asked Ewen what duties he did as advisory and he glanced to Garren then sighed deeply.