Campus Empress

CHAPTER 18

The day has been so tiring for me. I did not do anything but my mind’s tired from so much thinking. The conversation between the principal and Ms. Jones, the crazy history of the girl, the picture I saw at the mansion during the ball and the mission my parents never told me about. It’s too much to handle. I don’t know where to focus. It’s even more agonizing that I am the Campus Empress! And I don’t even know why!

I searched my memory more, I feel like I’m forgetting something. My mind is hinting me something that can connect the dots. What is it? My head is starting to pound from trying hard.

The heavy knock on my door made me flinch.

“Coming dad!” I shouted as I went to open the door. I knew it’s my father who’s knocking because of the knock. My mother knocks lightly and three times, while my father knocks heavily two times. Sometimes when I am doing something or busy doing stuffs, I already know how to act when they knock my door.

I smiled when I snuck my head to see my father.

“Hello darling. I need to take a picture of you.” He said while holding a camera.

“Okay, come in.” I opened my door wider, inviting him.

“What is it for?” I asked him. He takes picture when he needed to do some disguises and papers to support our cover. He did it several times when I join them on their missions.

“An ID. You’re going to be in the mission soon.” I fixed my posture so he could take a nice shot of me.

“What will I be doing?” I asked smiling. He clicked the button of the camera, capturing my smile.

I remember the missions before. He made a fake ID for me to use so I could get in the club where their target used to go. To hide my real identity, I used a different name and altered the age so I could enter the club because ages below 16 are not allowed. I was 15 that time. My mother put make up on my face so I could look more mature. I remember how I protested that time.

“We’ll tell you.” He said and came closer to me to show the photo he took. It’s beautiful. He’s also good in photography. He slides it more; he really can capture a beautiful moment.

While he slides it, a photo of my mother showed up. She is wearing an artificial hair, a short one; she does not want to cut her shoulder-length hair which she loves. Her eyes are smiling, showing how happy she is. The next picture is a black in white photo of my mom. Her slender neck is gorgeous with the side view look. Another picture flashed in my head, the one I saw at the ball. They look so alike.

“What is mom’s middle name?” I suddenly asked my father. He stared at me for a couple of minutes and turned off the camera.

“Why do you ask?”

“I mean, she doesn’t write it often. I only see the middle initial, but I don’t know what it stands for. I need it for my history class.” I honestly said. Yes, I don’t know her middle name. I never had the reason to ask; now I need it to confirm my thought. Since my father is an expert agent, I made sure to make my voice was innocent and quickly came up with an excuse.

“It’s Roberts darling. And your mother is having a visitor today.” He said and left my room.

When my door closed, I sat on my bed. I finally connected the dots. Hearing her middle name made me weak.

The day Alquette told me to look at this house, I did. She told me it was once owned by Kaitlyn but what I found was a document telling that it was under the name of Primrose Roberts. They said they rented the house!

I went down to confirm what I just found out. When I was about to go to the kitchen where my mom is cooking, I heard a doorbell. I went to open it and the person who is in my front door made my jaw dropped. My mind flooded with questions. What is she doing here? Why is she here?

“You came,” I did not hear my mother’s footsteps as my mind is filled with questions.

“Reyva! Why don’t you let your principal in?” my mother yelled at me. I came back to my senses and let her in.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. The principal smiled at me.

“You arrived just in time Ms. Smith. Dinner is cooked.” My mother said as she extends her hands to the principal for a handshake.

“Please, drop the formalities. Call me Elizabeth.” She replied to my mother.

We ate dinner. Nobody is telling why she is here. My mind demands an answer but they aren’t telling me anything. I tried to shut my mind yet no effect. I tried listening to their conversation which is mainly questions about getting to know each other. It seems that they don’t know each other. I don’t know if it is an act or true.

“Sweetheart, I need you to go at the study room.” My mother ordered me. My mind can’t argue anymore so I obliged.

Staring at nothing but the dark room, I did nothing but think again. Why do they seem to not know each other? Primrose Roberts. Who is she? From the surname, she could be my mom’s relative or sister.

The room’s door opened, showing my parents and Ms. Smith. They joined me in the table where I sit.

“Do you have a sister mom?” I couldn’t help myself anymore. I need to ask. I need to know.

“You figured it out,” my mother replied. Her answer made me flabbergasted. There are more.

“We’re identical twins actually.”

“That explains the picture.” I mumbled to myself.

“Who owns the academy?” I asked again.

My question made them share glances. I watched them as they hesitate.

“The Roberts family, but the heir is Primrose Roberts.” Elizabeth answered with a defeated sigh.

“And this house too?” I stared at my parents. My mother showed a reaction that wonders how I knew about it, from it my question is answered.

“You should be careful of documents and hide it properly, not somewhere so obvious.” I told them. The document I found was actually hidden at the back of an old painting. Things like that are expensive. If a thief broke in the house, he would take a million dollar painting than a figurine.

“She’s really good. You trained her well.” Elizabeth told my mother.

“And who are you?” I asked directly to Elizabeth which made her smile.

“I am the client,” she replied.

“Our mission is to help Elizabeth. She reported that Kaitlyn Jones is doing illegal business in this town with her family in power. Since the town is being monitored by her everytime, we need Elizabeth to help us. That is why you’re the Campus Empress so you could get closer to Kaitlyn and obtain evidence.” My father explained.

“You could have told me earlier.” I said.

“You’re the only one who can do this sweetheart. I’ll be easily exposed even if I will put a disguise. I look exactly like my twin, and I am a Roberts.” My mother said while looking at me.

“Although Kaitlyn do not know that the heir of the academy has a twin, we still cannot take the risk of being exposed. As you may have heard from the stories, Primrose is missing. I suspect Kaitlyn did something to her.” Elizabeth explained.

“Darling, your goal is to collect evidence then we will handle the rest.” It was my father who spoke this time.

“I need to leave now. I have stayed long enough. Kaitlyn has an eye on me everytime.” Elizabeth said and stood. My father went out with her.

I stared at my mom.

“How come you’re not also an heir?” I asked my mother.

“At young age, I was sent to New York, I was supposed to go back here but I didn’t want to. When I was 12, I began training to be an agent. My identity has to remain a secret in order for me to become a real agent. Our parents agreed. Nobody knew about my existence in this town.” She explained.

When my father went back to the room, they sent me to sleep. They said there’s something they need to discuss.

That night, I slept well having no questions bothering my mind.