"Evelina hurry up, the guests will be here soon! " I heard my aunty shout from downstairs.

"I'll be down soon!" I shouted back. 

Today is an important day for the Ivanovitch family. My elder sister, Sana, is meeting her fiance's family today.

You may think it's going to be an exciting day for her, but it's not. My papa arranged this marriage. It's the tradition in the Ivanovitch family.

When a girl reaches the age of marriage, she gets married off to strengthen the family's influence and business. It has always been this way. I know it will be my turn one day, but that day is not coming soon.

I finished my makeup and checked myself in the mirror. I look beautiful, I took my mama's face and my papa's eyes. A round shaped face, blue eyes with caramel skin. 

My mama passed away when I was just six, but I still remember what she looks like. She was a very beautiful woman and my papa loved her dearly. She died of cancer. 

I double checked everything and was satisfied with how I looked, then I headed downstairs. The mansion is usually busy, but today it was very busy. I headed to the main room where my family members are. 

"With how long you spent preparing, someone might think you're the one meeting her fiance today." Said aunty Marina as soon as I stepped into the room her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let her be Marina," my uncle, Pavel, interjected. "A woman must always look her best." 

I gave him a grateful smile as I walked to the far end of the room. My family is pretty big. 

My papa owns one of the biggest diamond mining companies in Russia, producing a significant portion of diamonds and distributing them to many countries. 

And being the family man that he is, he took a lot of our cousins under his wings, although they don't stay at the main mansion.

"Evelina can you please go help babushka in the kitchen" aunty Marina called out to me. "Sure aunty"

Babushka was my grandmama and my favorite person in this world. 

I particularly live under my sister's shadow. She has always been in the spotlight while I was left in a dark corner. My mama and babushka have always been the only ones who truly see me, but when my mama died, it was just babushka.

I entered the kitchen that was bussing with servants and babushka was at the center of it. 

"Oh don't steer it like that, you'll end up burning up!" "Someone get that turkey out of the oven before it turns into a charcoal briquette!"

Yeah, that's my babushka. I guess she's not really everybody's favorite. 

"Hey there, maybe try toning down the volume a bit, babushka, to keep that blood pressure in check!" I joked as I neared my grandmama.

"Oh, solnyshko!" my grandma beamed as she hugged me. Solnyshko was a nickname babushka has always called me ever since I was little. "I haven't seen you all week, dear. Have you been eating well? Has anyone been giving you trouble?" 

"I'm fine, babushka," I smiled as I hugged her back. Babushka was the only person who was always looking out for me.

"I wanted to come give me a helping hand here but it seems you're doing just fine," I joked as she turned around to dish out something.

"Ah don't bother yourself with that, here my dear, have something to eat." She handed me a plate of pirog, a sweet pie filled with berries and meat.

"Have you seen your sister today?" She asked, her eyes filled with concern. 

"No babushka". I answered with a mouthful. 

I haven't seen my sister all week. I guess she's busy preparing for her fiance and all.

I'm actually glad that she'll be getting married soon. Then maybe when she leaves the house, they can finally notice me. 

I do the best I can to please people in this family, but it's just never enough. And they never notice. Sana can just do one minor thing and the whole family will notice and praise her. I hope when she's gone, they can finally see me. 

"You should go see her, it's a big day for her. Go see how she's doing." my babushka said as she walked away to check the pot of soup. 

I really don't want to see her, but I guess I should, since it's a big day for her. 

I left the kitchen and went up the stairs to her door. "Sana, are you in there?" I knocked on her door gently, but there was no response. 

"Sana?" Still no response. I turned the door knob and it opened. I walked into her room, but there's no one here. "Sana?!"

"What do you want?" Oh my God, that scared me!!! 

"Sana? I knocked but there was no answer so I just came in." She was sitting in a dark corner of her room so I couldn't see her. 

"WHAT DO YOU WANT? " OK, I guess someone is in a foul mood today. 

"Babushka said I should come check on you since today was a big day for you." I said, trying to keep my voice cool. 

"Tell the old lady I'm fine, now leave." Well that's rude.

"Are you okay, you're not even ready yet and the guests will arrive soon." I should try to see reason with her since she's not getting married out of her own choice. 

"Leave me alone Evelina," alright fine. 

I was about to leave when I heard her whisper, "I guess you'll be happy now that I'm getting married," 

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. " Why would I be happy?" 

"You have always tried so hard to get everyone's attention," she answered, her voice still a whisper. "Doing things to please them and all, but you couldn't even get the slightest attention. So with me out of the way you can finally get the attention you've always wanted."

WHAT?!!!

I mean I did think about the whole thing, but hearing her say it so bluntly sounds so harsh!!! 

"You're being ridiculous, Sana," I tried to wave it off. "Oh, am I now?" 

What's up with her today?

"I just came to check on you, I'll be on my way now" I turn to leave but she quickly gets up and grabs my arm. How is she so goddamn fast?!! 

She leans close to my face and whispers, "You may think you'll finally get what you want, but trust me Evelina, you won't." 

She lets go of my arm and walks away, leaving

me standing alone and confused. 

What does she mean? And why does she hate me so much?!!