Clara stood in front of her mirror tugging at the uniform trying to make it look slightly less awkward on her small body but nothing she did made it look any better. She had tried tucking half of her shirt, tucking in all of her shirt, even just not tucking her shirt but she just looked stiff and weird.
She decided to just button up her vest coat and shrugged the cardigan over it but frowned as the sleeves went far past her hands. She looked down at the oversized cardigan which went down to her knees. This was 11 to 12? Clara started at her reflection in pure confusion and contempt. Why was it so big?
Her frown deepened as she continued to stare at herself. She pushed the neckline to the left slightly before tilting her head. Though that just looked more awkward so she moved it back before trying to tuck the cardigan in. In theory it would've looked alright but with the size of the cardigan it just looked extremely awkward. Clara let out a frustrated sigh as she untucked it before ruffling her own hair in annoyance. She tried buttoning up the cardigan but it just seemed to make it look bigger making her unbutton it.
She narrowed her eyes at her reflection which stared back at her.
She finally gave up trying to make herself look better before grabbing her book bag off her bed and making her way down the stairs. She apprehensively entered the kitchen as she heard the voices of all her brothers.
Andreas was the first to see her before immediately beginning to chuckle. " Romeo what size cardigan did you order for Clara?" He asked through his his chuckles making all the brothers look towards the door.
"Awweee," Emilio cooed before standing up and approaching his sister.
"I swear I ordered 11 to 12," Romeo muttered under his breath as he took another sip of his coffee.
Emilio engulfed Clara into a hug as he swung her around slightly. Clara held in her wince as he dug into her ribs, biting her lips to keep herself silent. She clenched her eyes shut as small tears lined her vision. The bruising had gone down the slightest bit worrying Clara to no extent. The pain itself had subsided slightly but seemed to flare up badly at times. The rest of her bruises were now very light but her ribs only seemed to be the exact same.
After a few excruciatingly painful seconds emilio finally released her. "Ah! My sister is so cute," he said clapping his hands together as he stared at her in pure awe. Clara released a breath of relief as soon as he put her down but couldn't help but be embarrassed. She kept her head down as her cheeks flames red from all the attention and pain she had experienced within the past minute.
"We know Emilio but let the poor girl actually step into the kitchen," Andreas said coming to Clara's aid once again.
Emilio rolled his eyes before dramatically stepping aside and giving her a big bow to let Clara through. The girl let out a small giggle before she walked in setting herself down on one of the island stools. She rubbed her ribs softly as they started to burn but she simply pushed it aside. If she showed pain her brothers would get worried and take her to the hospital. There would be no way to avoid them finding out the truth then.
Lorenzo looked up from his newspaper for a second before doing a double take. His lips twitched in amusement as he gave Clara a once over before he looked back down at his paper. "You look adorable amore mio," he said softly making Clara begin to blush all over again.
Romeo gave her a soft smile as he set down a plate of pancakes in front of her. "I'll buy you a new cardigan tesoro," he said making Clara give him an appreciative look. "You excited for school?" He asked her making her face fall as she rapidly shook her head no.
He let out a small laugh before going back to his coffee. "Don't worry tesoro Emilio and Ricardo will be there. They'll look out for you,"
Clara couldn't help but think that Ricardo would probably be who she needed looking out from. But nodded her head regardless.
"Yeah don't worry sorrellina I'll protect you," Emilio said confidently throwing his arm around Clara.
Andreas scoffed "well then in that case you're screwed," he said as he shoved another piece of pancake in his mouth making Emilio turn to glare at him.
"Listen here you little shit-"
"Hey! Language," Romeo said cutting off whatever threat Emilio was about to spew out.
"But he started it!" He whined making Romeo roll his eyes and mutter something under his breath.
"Andreas apologise," he said sternly making Andreas roll his eyes before he muttered out a sorry. "Say it like you mean it," Romeo scolded as Andreas let out a loud groan.
"I'm sorry Emilio,"
"Good now hug it out,"
"Well would you look at the time I'm late for work," Andreas suddenly said before rushing out of the room.
"He always has an excuse ready," Emilio said incredulously before letting out a scoff.
Clara just watched in entertainment as she tried her best to push down the pancakes on her plate but found she couldn't manage more than a few bites. She always felt so guilty as they always gave her such big servings but she could only ever handle a few bites. She wasn't used to eating. She was usually restricted to one plate of food every three days. Just enough to keep her alive but not enough to give her enough strength to fight back or escape.
Lorenzo looked at his watch before clearing his throat attracting her attention. "If you're ready Clara I'll drive you to school?" He asked making her nod as her mouth was full of food she couldn't find the will to swallow. It took everything in her not to throw up everything she had just eaten.
"What about me?" Emilio asked making Lorenzo blink at him before turning back to Clara.
"Let's go?" Clara nodded before scampering off her seat and picking up her bag grateful that she had an excuse as to not finishing her food.
Emilio let out a loud dramatic sigh. "I'm unappreciated in this family." Romeo only spared him a glance before walking out of the kitchen with his coffee in hand. Emilio's jaw dropped as he watched the man leave. "Wow," he whispered with a scoff before he also stood from his seat and made his way out of the room.
Lorenzo led Clara into his private garage where his favourite car sat right in the middle. Clara stared at it in awe before she looked up at Lorenzo who was already looking at her. He had a small smug smile on his face as he watched his sister's jaw drop. She couldn't seem to look away from the black and blue Divo Bugatti that stared at her.
It was no lie that a small part of him felt accomplished that his sister liked his car as much as he didn't want to admit it. In fact he was quite ashamed. Here he was the great Lorenzo De Luca. The same man who didn't care about the validation of other. Yet here he stood feeling good about himself thanks to the opinion of a twelve year old girl.
He really was pathetic.
The now embarrassed man cleared his throat before leading Clara to the car closest to the garage door. "Why don't we take the really cool car?" She asked him as he unlocked the door for her.
"That car's not for driving," he replied simply making Clara furrow her eyebrows. Lorenzo got in his seat and started the engine. Clara fastened her seatbelt before looking over at Lorenzo.
"What do you mean it's not for driving?" She asked as he finally started moving the car.
"I mean I don't drive that car." Lorenzo replied before pressing a button which opened up the garage door in front of them.
Clara though couldn't wrap her head around the concept of buying a car just to leave it parked. "So you bought a super expensive car just for decorattion?" She asked in pure confusion.
Lorenzo grimaced slightly before tilting his head. "Don't say it like that you make me sound well-" he paused looking for the right word. "Well snobby," he settled on.
"How else am I meant to say it? You spent thousands on a car to make your garage look pretty," she replied with a nonchalant shrug.
"Correction I spent millions," Lorenzo said earning him a disappointed look from Clara. He let out a dumbfounded sigh before turning to face the road. "You kids are so judgmental these days." He said making Clara giggle softly.
"No you rich people are just weird," she said making Lorenzo scrunch his nose up at her.
"Oi watch it." He said playfully but Clara was quick to misinterpret his tone. Had she taken it too far?
"Sorry," she muttered before immediately lowering her gaze to her now shaking hands. Lorenzo peeked a look at her but immediately did a double take as his face fell.
What had happened? Did he say something? Lorenzo went through their entire conversation from the minute she entered the kitchen to that moment but couldn't think of a single thing that could've upset her.
Maybe she was just nervous about school? "Hey don't be scared about school. It's a really good school and all the teachers are very nice." If anyone would know it would be Lorenzo. He had done a thorough background check on every member of staff in the building before even thinking about sending Clara there.
"Yeah," Clara said shakily keeping her gaze down. She was scared she had gone too far and it was only a matter of time before Lorenzo struck her.
"And erm Clara, I want you to get good grades, obviously, but I don't want you to stress about it. Just do your best ok? I'll always be proud as long as I know you did the best you could." He said making Clara look up at him with her a crease in her forehead. "Me and your brothers are here to help you with whatever you need ok? So if you have any questions or need any help with your homework we're here to help you." He said sternly but gently.
Clara nodded before letting out a soft ok. She was confused. He expected her best? He surely wouldn't be proud if he realised her best wasn't very good. Not even mediocre. What's below bad? Well whatever it was that's what her best was. Considering the girl could barely read there wasn't a chance her best could be remotely good.
They drove in silence for a while before Lorenzo finally pulled into the parking lot of the massive stone building in front of them. It looked more like a castle than a school. "Woah," Clara said softly as she compared it to her old rundown school. Lorenzo let out a small chuckle.
"Come." He said as her turned off the engine. "Let's go get your schedule." He opened the car door and stepped out before waiting for Clara to do the same. Most student were already in class but a few who loitered all had the same expression of shock as they watched Lorenzo descend the vehicle with a small girl in tow.
Lorenzo was well... he was well known to the world. Clara was not unaware to all the stares as she slowly inched closer and closer to Lorenzo. Her brother immediately sensed her discomfort as he put his arm around her shoulders. "Why are they all staring at us?" Clara whispered as Lorenzo sent a glare to everyone who had there eyes on them making them immediately look away.
"I have a uhm.. reputation." Lorenzo replied making Clara look at him even more confused than before. "That was badly worded." He said to himself as a crease formed between his eyebrows. "You see I have a large chain of hotels and restaurants that are quite famous and successful." He said making Clara nod.
She had wondered what her brothers did to be so rich but it had never really occurred to her that they would be well known. But why wouldn't they be? With all the wealth they had it wasn't strange for them to have accumulated a high social standing. She was quite literally standing in a private school that looked more like a castle than a school.
She let out a breath as Lorenzo led her into the office to get her schedule. He moved his arm from her shoulders and rested it on her lower back making her flinch slightly. She hadn't expected it. She was much better when it came to flinching but when they moved quickly or unexpectedly she couldn't help it.
Lorenzo directed her to the large desk sat in the middle of the room where a young woman sat typing away at the computer. Lorenzo cleared his throat but the girl didn't even flinch. A glare settled on Lorenzo's face as he eyes the girl down before clearing his throat again. This time the girl looked up quickly before doing a double take.
As soon as her eyes landed on Lorenzo's face she turned pale as she began to tremble lightly.
"M-mr De Luca" she stuttered out as Lorenzo's face only darkened. "I'm so sorry I didn't know it was you," she muttered out making Lorenzo tilt his head.
"So if it was not me you would continue to ignore someone completely?" He asked making the girl begin to rapidly shake her head no as she opened her mouth to speak. "Anyways I need my sister's schedule." He said cutting off whatever she was about to say.
The woman nodded before typing something on her computer. She spun around in her chair before facing the printer waiting for the schedule to come out. After an awkward few seconds of silence the air was suddenly filled with the whir of the printer as the thin sheet of palate slowly edged out. Lorenzo looked at his watch with an eyebrow raised as the woman fumbled with the paper trying to turn it the right way around to make sure she had printed the right thing. She looked over it for a second before turning back to face Lorenzo and hand him the schedule. Clara just stayed silent as the second hand embarrassment began to creep up on her.
The woman awkwardly handed Clara her schedule as she tried her best to avoid Lorenzo's piercing gaze. "Thank you," Clara muttered out as the tense atmosphere began to weigh down on her.
With one last glare Lorenzo finally began to walk away with Clara in tow allowing the woman to let out the breath she wasn't even aware she had been holding.
Clara followed Lorenzo out to the hallway before he turned around to face her. "What class have you got first?" He asked her softly all traces of anger gone from his face.
Clara fumbled slightly before lifting up her schedule and holding it upright to read.
She stared at it but her heart dropped to her stomach as the words began their familiar dance away from her. The letter began to float out of the page as the words flipped themselves upside down and inside out. Clara gulped before simply turning the schedule to Lorenzo. He looked at her with his eyebrow raised for a moment before looking down at the schedule she was showing him.
"English, hmm ok come I'll walk you there then I'll go," he said as he began walking in the direction of the languages department. Clara only nodded as she followed him without saying a word.
She couldn't read in the word English. Such a simple word but she was so stupid she couldn't even read it. She lowered her head as she watched her feet as they stepped.
Right left right left.
She let out a heavy sigh as Lorenzo turned to face her. "Hey don't be nervous," he said as he fingered it was just her nerves. Sure they played a part in her silence but the issue at root was far deeper than Lorenzo thought.
Andrew always told her she was stupid and now she was starting to realise that maybe he was right. If she couldn't even read a simple schedule how was she supposed to get through English. She inhaled a deep breath, holding it for a while before she exhaled in a pathetic attempt to calm herself down and stop her thoughts from running rampage.
Too quickly for Clara's comfort Lorenzo came to a stop right in-front of a classroom door. He looked down at his sister who had her bottom teeth in between her lips as a small frown settled on her face. He let out a small smile at her adorable expression before kneeling down in front of her. "You're gonna be ok," he gave her a reassuring smile. Clara gave him a small smile back before Lorenzo stood to his full height. He knocked on the door twice before pushing it open.
He put his hand on Clara's shoulder before pushing her slightly to get her to start moving. The teacher who stood at the front of the class looked towards the two. As her gaze landed on Lorenzo she had a similar reaction to the lady at the reception. She immediately went towards the door stopping whatever lesson she was teaching.
Lorenzo leaned in before whispering something to her making her look down at Clara with kind but scared eyes. "She'll be fine I assure you," she said to Lorenzo making the man give her a firm nod.
He gave Clara's shoulder one last squeeze before leaving her there all by herself as the eyes of 32 students bore into the side of her head.
I've been swamped with homework and tests thanks to the new Scottish curriculum. I've had no time to do anything but I tried my best to push this chapter out.
I really don't like this chapter it feels weirdly worded but I just have to publish something.
Hopefully the next chapter of left behind will be published soon too
Don't be a silent reader xoxo