Girls of Volin High

The Roman Family

DAWN’S POV

“Good morning, Miss Roman.” I awkwardly nodded when a senior student of Volin High greeted me.

“I’ll be your escort for today.” He informed me when I seem to be silently questioning his reason for waiting in front of my house this morning.

“Huh?”

“It has come to our leader’s attention that an unknown organisation is currently watching Miss Roman. While the school investigates such malicious attempts on our student, the disciplinary committee members will take turns to escort Miss Roman from her home to the school campus. It’s just standard procedure to ensure that the student's safety is guaranteed.” I am speechless.

Why would they go this far for me? I was supposed to be hiding far away from this kind of treatment.

“The leader you mentioned- is it Miss Clarkson?” The male student nodded.

“Miss Roman, you’re the first student to receive the scholarship that the Clarkson family had provided. It’s only natural for Miss Clarkson to be on edge after what happened to you on your first day of school. Trust me; sometimes, things tend to be far worse than that.” I felt someone tugging on the hem of my jacket.

“Just accept his offer, Dawn. He’s going to keep us safe, right?” The male student nodded when Arthur asked him. I sighed mentally before locking my door and let the disciplinary committee member followed us.

On our way to the bus stop, my brother couldn’t hold himself from asking the male student about something hidden that wrapped around his waist.

“Excuse me- but what is that thing wrapped around your waist?” Arthur asked. The male student smiled before covering his waist by buttoning his jacket.

“It’s something to protect everyone.” The male student placed a finger on his lips.

“Something to protect everyone? Dawn, do you know what that thing is?” I shake my head, no. There is no need for Arthur to know that this man carries around a gun with him at all times. The same goes for Charlotte and Cataleya.

They, too, carried a gun with them at all times. Even though the two seniors tried to conceal it, I know from a glance that it’s a gun. If not, no one would be acting the way they did whenever the girls threatened them. Is it a requirement for them to carry such a dangerous weapon?

The bus finally here.

“See you at home, Dawn.” After exchanging goodbye with my siblings, I turned to face my escort.

“Someone is watching us, right?” The male student smiled before giving me a small nod.

“What about my siblings?” I subtly asked.

“There is no need to be nervous. We will take care of it. For now, let’s go to school.” I nodded. We continued our school journey, but I still can’t shake the feeling of something is not right.

“It’s my mistake for not bringing my car. But don’t worry.” The senior tried his best to assure me, but I know it’s more complicated than that.

“Say, there must be a reason why these people followed you, right?” The senior asked. At first, even I have no idea why these people decided to follow me around. It wasn’t like this before. By after my mother abandoned us, they-

“It seems we have company.” Instinctively I grabbed hold of the senior’s jacket when a black car suddenly stopped in front of us.

“I wonder if this has something to do with the man Miss Volin capture a few days ago. Please do not let go of my jacket, Miss Roman. I have a feeling that it’s going to be. Ride.” Huh? The man Cataleya captured? Did he mean my mother’s former client?

“State your reason for disrupting the public order by stopping us from going to school. I hope you have a valid reason for doing so.” The senior said while taking a few steps back.

“We have questions to ask with Dawn Roman. Please do not hinder us from taking her with us. You wouldn’t want to be in trouble, boy.” The man who came from the black car was reaching out to grabbed me when the senior slapped his hand away.

“I am a member of the disciplinary committee in Volin High. Age-wise, Miss Roman can’t follow anyone she doesn’t know. Or else you would be deemed accountable for various criminal claims. Please let us through before things get out of hand. Volin High cherish all of its students.” I’m afraid the senior will get hurt if this continues.

“Boy, you’re forcing us to do things we’re not supposed to do!” The man and his posse were about to hit us when someone came to our rescue.

“It’s a reinforcement.” The senior student was glad that someone came right in time but- who are they?

“By order of Miss Volin, we’re here to capture every single one of you.” This group of women doesn’t seem like a student. They look like a teacher.

“Are you curious? These women are alumni from Volin Women’s Academy. The principal scouted them to be part of the Volin High elite group of security known as The Volin Guard. They oversee everything that happened to the student outside of the school campus. Although the school has a special disciplinary committee- these women work for the principal directly.” I see. Just what kind of school is Volin High?

I’ve been asking the same question several times now since I entered this school.

“We’ve received orders from Miss Volin that a fellow member of the disciplinary committee is in trouble. We came as soon as we were dispatch out. Miss Volin advised us to provide a car for the remaining of your journey.” I was surprised to see a car suddenly appeared beside us.

“Thank you, ma’am. By the way, ma’am. Are they part of the Enigma clan?” Huh? The Enigma Clan? Why does that name seem familiar to me?

“Wait, The Enigma Clan? Do you mean the Enigma club? That’s where my mother used to work. Is that why they’re searching for me? Because of my mother?” The woman who came to rescue us raised an eyebrow.

“Your mother used to work at The Enigma Club? That explains a lot. May we know the identity of your mother?” Do they want to know my mother’s name?

“Rebecca Roman.” The woman seems surprised.

“I see. It’s been a while since I heard Athalia’s name. And to think that I have to hear it from her daughter- this is annoying.” Wait, this woman knows my mother?!

“You know my mother?” The woman nodded.

“We used to go to the same university. But Athalia is known as a traitor.” Before I could ask more about my mother, that woman excuses herself.

“Let’s go to school, Miss Roman.” I nodded before following the senior into the car.

***

At this point, everything I do will be a topic for the students to gossiping about. Is this how it feels to be famous? If so, it is annoying as fu-

“Good afternoon.” My train of thought was interrupted when Cataleya waved her hands at me.

“Senior?” I abruptly stood up from my seat and offered her to join me for lunch. I didn’t expect her to accept my offer, though. Once again, the students glared at me with that dagger eyes. Sometimes I wonder if this woman even knows what it feels to be a centre of attention.

What the hell am I saying?

Of course, she did- Cataleya is one of the gems of Volin High!

“I thought you might want to know about the investigation,” Cataleya said which piqued my interest.

“Since you revealed your mother’s name to one of the Volin Guard, I decided to run some background check about your mother. It seems she was one of the students in Volin Women’s Academy.” To be honest, I have no idea what kind of place is that. Is it a school? Or-

“You seems confused. Have you ever heard of Volin Women’s Academy?” I shake my head, no.

“It’s a university which specifically trained female assassin. And yes, your mother was one of the top students in Volin.” Hold on; my mother was a top student? That w***e?! I don’t believe any of this information.

“Hmmm- I thought you might think that way, so I brought proof. Here is your mother’s file when she was a student in Volin.” This woman- can she read minds? I was reluctant to open the file because I don’t need to know her past life. But-

“There must be a reason for your mother to abandon you and your siblings. Perhaps that answer is in this file?” Cataleya knows how to make me curious. I reached out and opened the file. The first page is mostly necessary information about my mother.

As I read through the information I could never know from that woman herself; something caught my attention.

“My mother’s parents still alive?” I asked no one in particular.

“Wait, your mother never tell you about her parents? The Roman family is one of the richest family in the country. At first, we’re were surprised to see your name on the scholarship program too but-,” Cataleya shrugged.

My mother came from a wealthy family? Is that why she seems well off even though we live in poverty? All this time, I thought that it was all because of her client sponsoring her.

“Is it possible to meet them?” I asked while looking through the next page.

“If that is what you want, I can make it happen. Well, technically Swan will since the Clarkson family has a wide connection with every family in this country. It’s for their business is what Swan says.” Cataleya chuckled.

I can’t believe that I have grandparents who are still alive and well. Why did my mother hide this fact from us? We could’ve got a decent life if they knew that we exist!

“But, they might say no.” Yes- that is correct. Anyone would say no if someone claimed to be their granddaughter all of a sudden.

“I understand. Even if I decided to meet my so-called grandparents, they can decide not to see me even if Miss Clarkson could get a private meeting with them.” I looked up to Cataleya.

“What about my mother? Is there a way for me to find my mother?” Cataleya seems to contemplate about something.

“Our resources had found your mother, and she is living well.” Cataleya showed me a picture of my mother having fun, laughing together with a group of friends. It seems my mother is on vacation.

“Is this her recent picture?” Cataleya nodded.

“Each month, the Roman family would transfer a hefty amount of money into her account. But from what I can see from your living condition, she decided to have it all to herself.” I see.

So- what was the reason for all the abuse I have to endure? That woman raised her hand against me because I was a waste of space. All this time- I thought that she had to sell her body because she has to raise us. But was it all a lie?

Was it all just a game for that woman?

“Dawn, are you crying?” Huh? Am I crying? I didn’t even notice it.

“How funny,” I laughed.

“All this time- that woman told us that there is not enough money for all of us. I had to endure all those pain, and now I have to know that the same woman is filthy rich. So- what’s the reason for my mother to hit me? Did I I made a mistake? Why did she leave my little siblings to fend herself?” Cataleya then showed me another picture of my mother with a man.

“It’s probably because of him.” My mother left us because of a man?!

“This man is known to be the next heir of a certain crime clan which dominate most of the illegal businesses in this country. Volin has been keeping an eye on the clan’s activities since your mother betrayed us.” What is with all this remark about my mother being a traitor?

Is that why that woman from the Volin Guard seems disgusted when I uttered my mother’s name?

“My grandmother wants to destroy the clan’s existence as one of her final act as the head of Volin before my aunt takes over her responsibilities. So, this is my question, Dawn Roman- do you wish to meet your grandparents?” Huh? But- what if my grandparents chased me out?

“Because if you truly wish to meet them and ask the reason why your mother abandoned you, now is the time. My grandmother is currently in town. With the Clarkson’s influence and my grandmother’s witty remarks, they won’t dare say anything. Besides, you’ll be helping Volin High to achieve their goal as well.” Achieved what goal?

“What if they-,” Cataleya smiled before placing a hand on my hand.

“I will be there as well; they won’t dare.” Somehow I feel assured with her words alone. How can this be? We’re not even friends, to begin with. How is it possible for this woman to make me feel things I never should be feeling?

Cataleya Volin- what exactly is your goal by doing this?