Manipulation

POV: Eloisa

Getting Elena in trouble was an easy task, in fact she dug her own grave.

Her habit of smoking weed in secret only helped me and meeting Vicente in the hallway was a stroke of luck.

I'm getting ready for breakfast, my hair is braided with a bow at the end of the braid, I'm wearing a Gucci outfit my mom gave me for Christmas and white combat boots that match the outfit.

I wait to hear Luca's door open so I can leave at the same time as him.

"Good morning, brother," I say smiling and as always he smiles back.

"You woke up full of energy today, Elo," he says and my eyes light up.

He's already given me a nickname. That was easy.

"I slept really well last night and today I want to do something fun," I say smiling.

"I have some free time after lunch, I can find something we can do," he says cheerfully.

Luca is the most open of all my brothers and, along with Sandro, he is one of the only ones who is trying to interact with me and Elena.

"Thank you," I jump into a hug as he yells that I am suffocating him.

We enter the kitchen laughing and all my brothers are here. Including Elena.

I greet everyone and realize that something has happened, the atmosphere in here is tense and I can see that the boys throw Elena a few glances every now and then.

After I manage to convince Sandro to make pancakes for me, I decide it is time to conquer territory.

"Elena, how did you sleep?" A simple question, but it makes the impact I need.

She frowns at my voice and I can see Leonardo grimacing.

"Perfectly fine, not that you really care." She answers me with a harsh tone and I make my sad face.

"Calm down, I was just trying to be nice," I reply, pretending to be hurt.

"You didn't have to be so rude, Elena," Luca says and hugs me.I step away from him and watch Elena stand up with Lorenzo, who soon gets up too.

"Elena, let's talk," he says and turns to me with his usual cold gaze, "I'll send for you, Eloisa, when I'm done talking to her."

They both leave and I go back to eating my pancakes without worrying.

"You have to stop annoying your sister," Leonardo says as he sips his coffee.

"I didn't do it on purpose," I say calmly and innocently, looking at my food.

He laughs as if he's noticed my acting and leaves the table. I have to be careful around him.

"I know you didn't do it on purpose, Eloisa, but try not to irritate Elena," Vicente says as he takes his dirty plate to the sink.

"I'm sorry," I continue to act upset and Sandro catches up with me.

"It's okay, Sorella," he says and I look at him confused. "After you talk to Lorenzo, I'll show you our leisure area and pool."

"Promise?", I ask pouting and Luca laughs.

"I promise, we'll spend some time together and get to know each other better," Sandro says holding my hands.

"I'll meet you after lunch, I need to know everything about you, Elo," Luca says and I'm beaming.

I've already conquered two brothers. Only three more to go.

Luca and Vicente receive work calls and need to leave urgently, leaving me with Sandro to show me where Lorenzo's office is.

"Elo, the office is at the end of the hall, I need to take care of something, but Lorenzo will see you soon," he says when we reach the second floor and leaves in a hurry.

I look at him in disbelief that he's really going to leave me alone. Idiot.

I walk down the hall and decide that luck is really on my side when I hear Elena losing her temper and yelling at Lorenzo.

It's going to be easier than I thought to get her out of here.

I lean on a table that's at the entrance to the door to hear better, but the sound of footsteps towards the door shows that the argument is over.

I straighten my posture and pretend to knock on the door when it opens and Elena comes out furiously, pushing me in the process.

I lose my balance and fall with my forehead towards the table.

I feel blood dripping from my eyebrow and hatred boils inside me.

I can't believe this freak had the nerve to hurt me. She's going to pay dearly for this.

I look up and see Elena frozen in place when she sees that she's hurt me. She doesn't move, I know she's afraid of blood and I'm going to use that against her.

Lorenzo quickly approaches me and carefully holds my face to see the cut.

"Leonardo," he shouts, knowing that he's the only one of the boys still home.

I hear quick footsteps and see a worried Leonardo enter the hallway. He walks past Elena who's still standing there looking at my forehead, I can see her hands shaking and for a second I feel sorry for her.

Leonardo switches places with Lorenzo and examines my forehead.

"You're going to need stitches," he says and I freak out.

"I can't have a scar on my face," I say angrily. "How am I going to walk around with stitches on my forehead?"

Leonardo looks at me, surprised by my reaction, but soon returns to his usual mask of disinterest.

"It's your choice, the stitches will make the scar smaller, but if you don't want them," he says and starts to get up.

"No, no, I want the stitches," I say quickly. "I just don't want a horrible scar on my face," I cry and look at Elena angrily.

The boys remember her presence and watch her state of shock.

"Were you that upset with me?" I ask, my voice rising as I cry.

Elena looks at me confused, but doesn't answer.

"You didn't have to hurt me because I told Vicente about your cigarettes, I was just worried about you," I say softly, sobbing.

The boys look at me and then at Elena, who just shakes her head. Lorenzo sighs in anger and walks towards her, blocking her view.

"I can't believe you're so childish as to hurt your sister," he says and I can clearly hear the anger in his voice.

Without the sight of blood, Elena wakes up from her trance.

"She was in the way," her voice is monotonous, without the tone of sarcasm she usually uses.

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Lorenzo laughs in disbelief. "Go to your room, your meals will be brought to you and you will only leave there when you learn to live with people."

She nods and Lorenzo growls at her.

"Answer me with words," even I shudder at her tone.

"I see," Elena replies and runs off.

Leonardo, who had been watching everything silently, has a calm look on his face. He seems used to seeing this side of Lorenzo.

"Give her the stitches she needs and some painkillers. I'm going to a meeting now," Lorenzo says, trying to calm himself down.

Leonardo helps me up from the floor and walks with me to my room. He doesn't say anything to me, just works on my wound and then hands me the medicine.

Before leaving, he gives me an irritated look and slams the door.