Envy and Warning

POV: Eloisa

I should be happy. But no matter how much I try to convince myself of that, Elena's presence ruins everything.

She plays the victim. That lost girl pose, suspicious of everything and everyone. I know she just wants attention, wants everyone to look at her and feel sorry for her. But I see through it. I know what she really is.

Luca tried to start a conversation with me earlier, but I brushed him off. My mind is too busy thinking of ways to make sure Elena doesn't steal what's rightfully mine. I'm the perfect sister, the one who should be loved and protected by them. And now she thinks she has the right to be a part of that?

I won't let that happen. They're my siblings. They're my family. And I'm going to make sure it stays that way.

I get up from the bed and look in the mirror. My reflection looks as perfect as it should. I'm used to being admired, to having all eyes on me. And I'm not going to let Elena take that away from me.

I already know what I'm going to do. I just need patience and a chance to get started. Maybe it's a slip-up on her part. Or maybe I created this slip-up.

One way or another, I'm going to make sure she realizes this place is mine.

POV: Elena

I leave my room, tired of being locked inside these suffocating walls. I walk around the house, lost, but at the same time exploring the place. The place is really huge.

I go down the same stairs I used to find the kitchen, I pass through a huge living room and, as I'm leaving, Leonardo's voice stops me.

"Are you trying to run away already?" he asks me and I see that he has a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"I don't see how that's any of your business," I reply, irritated.

He smiles as if he understands what I'm trying to do. He's like Vicente, who observes everything trying to find people's flaws.

But I'm sorry, he's not going to take anything away from me.

"You're not like Eloisa," he says as he swirls the amber liquid inside the glass. "She's more witty and cheerful, while you seem to be trying to avoid being noticed, almost like you want to disappear."

His voice is cold and almost disinterested, but I've played this game enough times to know what he's trying to do.

"I still don't understand how this could be any of your business." I cross my arms and look at him seriously. "I don't want to be here and you don't want me here, so can we make a simple deal?"

"I'm listening," he says and leans back on the couch where he's sitting.

"Just pretend I don't exist and by the time you realize I'll be gone anyway." My words are calm but firm. "As for Eloisa, how you deal with her is your problem, I don't care."

"The deal is that you don't interfere in my life and I don't interfere in yours?" he asks me with evident satisfaction. "I think I can live with that, just don't get in my way."

His tone changes to something dark and calculating. I look closer at my brother and smile at his attempt to intimidate me.

You're late for this, Fratello.

I start to leave the house again. After many wrong doors, I find the hallway that connects to the entrance area.

My wristwatch says it's almost two in the morning, but I'm used to sleeping late or not sleeping at all.

I open the door carefully and the cold wind hits my face, making me shiver. I take a deep breath and close the door behind me.

The outside of the house is magnificent, I find a shooting range and a custom gym with several machines. The pool area is huge and there's a private house that I've already decided will be a refuge when I need it.

I enter what looks like a garden and sit at the foot of a tree. I take out my lighter and a joint that I've hidden in my bag and light up.

I start to relax with each drag. I only smoke when I'm about to freak out or when my anxiety is high enough to be dangerous.

Drawing also helps me, remembering his smile as I scribble on the pages brings me back to reality. But right now I need to be relaxed and a joint is ideal.

And with my parents dying and moving house. Well, there's never been a better time to relax than now.

I'm halfway through my joint when Vicente's voice reaches me.

"What the hell?" He sounds really pissed.

I get up quickly and see no point in hiding the cigarette.

"Elena, do you want to explain to me why you're not sleeping in bed, but here smoking weed?" His tone is sharp and authoritative, and even though he tries not to show it, he's seething with anger.

"I wasn't sleepy and so I decided to smoke," I answer simply.

I've never been one to lie or make up fantastic stories. I don't like beating around the bush.

"Was it Leonardo who ratted me out?" I ask, smiling.

He probably thinks I'm high, but half a joint isn't enough.

"Give me that shit and let's go inside," he ignores my question. I hand him the joint, which he puts in his pocket. "Do you have any more?" I roll my eyes and take the other two out of my pocket and hand them to him.

"Are you going to tell Lorenzo?" the question comes out quietly. Not that I care if Lorenzo knows. I don't think he does.

"Yes, and you can be sure he's in trouble." His tone is still dark and for the first time since I arrived I'm scared of my brothers.

"Great," I say sourly and walk out of the garden, leaving him behind. I may be scared, but I'm not going to bow my head to these five rich kids who claim to be my brothers.

I already had a family and all the experiences I've had with them have been enough for me.

I walk into the mansion with Vicente behind me, I feel his gaze boring into my back as I walk towards the room where I found Leonardo earlier.

When I walk in, I see Eloisa sitting on the couch watching television as if it wasn't three in the morning, while Leonardo is sleeping on the couch, probably drunk.

"I want you both in Lorenzo's office tomorrow morning, we have matters that obviously need to be discussed," Vicente says and I see Eloisa's smile grow.

And realization hits me quickly. Of course it was her and not Leonardo who ratted me out.

Doesn't this girl get tired of making my life hell?

"Now you two go to bed," an order, not a request.

I head back down the path I now know better and Eloisa stops me before I can enter my room.

"This is not and will never be your home, Elena," her tone is low and threatening, "So leave while they don't hate you yet."

I smile and move closer.

"And where's the fun? Knowing that I'm a constant threat to your little world is fun," I reply and her eyes burn with anger.

She pushes me against the wall next to the door and squeezes my shoulder where she knows there's a healing cut.

"Don't you dare threaten me," she whispers in my ear, "or I'll make you worse than our country."

A shiver runs through me and she smiles when she realizes.

"We both know how broken you are, Elena, don't try to pretend to be strong for me. I know you better than anyone else, my t

win." Her tone is venomous and cruel.

I push her away from me, she smiles and walks to her room.