I did not just wake up one day to say I wanted to marry Penelope's fiancé. I watched from my window some weeks back as her billionaire boyfriend, Jordan, dropped her off and kissed her goodbye. I watched as she waved at him and walked towards the door. I slowly covered the curtains and lay back on my bed.

"We went to supervise some of his businesses, and then we went for lunch in a very beautiful place. He took me shopping afterwards." I heard her say to my parents downstairs. I could feel their excitement already. There was happiness in her voice. I decided to get a cup of coffee. I just felt like taking it.

"Come here, Laura." My father called when I walked past them. I knew it was bad timing. I shouldn't have left my room.

"You called me," I said as I came closer to him.

"Why did you just behave as though we were strangers? You've been in that room since morning, and you just don't say hi to anyone." He said. I wondered why he always tried to act like the nice one, as if he cared. He is just as terrible as my sister and mother.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Penelope's words came before mine.

"She's just jealous. I know she's not happy for me." Penelope said with a smirk, while admiring the gifts she came with.

"Why would I be jealous of you?" I asked her, already getting furious. Wondering why she would even think about something like that.

"Because she has achieved way more than you. Let's not even talk about how good-looking she is. But look at you, you've been sleeping for the whole day with nothing to show. Just like that riff-raff you call a boyfriend. You cannot even attract important people in your life to save you." It was my mother.

There was a knock on the door immediately.

And just like magic, my riff-raff of a boyfriend, as my mother described, was at the door. Thomas knew he was jobless and also knew about the constant crises with my family. Yet his audacity was what pissed me off. The effrontery! Coming to my parents' house. At this time!

"What are you doing here?" I whispered immediately as I opened the door and saw him. I was signalling him to leave while trying to close the door. It was a bad time already. Yet he stood there, like an idiot!

"What's going on there?" My father asked.

"It's her broke boyfriend. She's trying to hide him." Came Penelope's voice. Her annoying voice. I felt like smacking her on the head.

"Let him in," my father said.

I was still signalling Thomas to leave. He still did not get the signs. He was smiling while he walked in.

"Good afternoon, sir," he greeted my father. He was about to greet my mum when she turned her face. He understood and kept quiet. I was just by the corner. Waiting for the worst to happen.

"Who are you here to see?" My dad asked. Such a stupid question. He came to see me, of course.

"I... I came to see Laura." He stuttered. We were supposed to go out today.

I felt like burying him. Did he have to mention it to my parents? I knew we were supposed to go out. He should have called my line. That was a simple thing to do. I checked my phone and saw five missed calls from him. I sighed.

"Out to where?" Penelope asked, laughing. "To the gardens, forest, or maybe the hills?" She asked again and laughed harder. It was all so embarrassing. I kept looking at her, my heart hurting. My mother was laughing with her. My father smiled too. He wanted to laugh with them, but he tried not to show it.

"You want to take her out, you mean? Do you now have a job?" My father asked.

"I don't. I'm actually helping her to look for one. We are going to check out some places." Thomas said. He must have thought saying that would make them pleased.

"Interesting! You do not have a job, and you want to help her find one. Isn't that amazing?" Said my mother.

"Have you seen? Have you seen what I'm talking about?" She said, turning to me. I just watched her. I haven't said a word since they began questioning him.

"Honestly, sweetheart, I think you should just let Laura do what she wants. It's obvious she's not ready to change." My mother said, and I watched her with so much anger and hatred in my eyes as she sat on the couch. I was finding it hard to believe she actually gave birth to me.

"She does not know what it means to attract things of good value," Penelope said and laughed again.

I couldn't bear it anymore. I raised my hand to slap her across her face, but my father's voice stopped me.

"Don't you dare! Your mother is right. They are right. Laura, why can't you..."

"Enough!" I cut in. "At least I'm not like y'all, fantasising over mere gifts and rewards like wretched people!" I snapped and walked to the door. Thomas followed me silently.

"She is strange." I heard my mum say, while we were walking out. I didn't hear what else she said. Thomas closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry." He said as we were walking down the road.

"Sorry for what?"

"For what happened earlier. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have made things worse for you by showing up."

"Of course, Thomas, it's your fault! You should have called me! You are not making it any easier for me. If you're not ready to find a job, you tell me so we end this thing called a relationship. I'm tired of having to deal with my family's bullshit and now you!" I screamed.

"But you know I'm trying. It's not easy for me either. Do you think I enjoy watching you do all the things I'm supposed to be doing?"

"Then wake up! I'm tired of listening to your complaints!"

"But I called you. You were not picking up. That was why I decided to come to your house. I thought something was wrong."

"Honestly, Thomas, I'm sorry I missed your calls. But you need to do more than care for me. I can take care of myself! I'm not a child. I'm tired of all this pity party." I said and began to walk faster. I knew I was a bit harsh on him, but at that point, I was angry about many things and could not control my words. I hated everything happening to me.

"We'll be having a family dinner tonight at seven. Make yourself available. I do not want to hear any excuses." My mother woke me up with the announcement. It was unnecessary. She could have waited for me to wake up. I'm sure she did not wake her precious daughter like that. I hissed and went back to bed, but I couldn't sleep anymore.

It was always like that. I was always given instructions as though I was a hired maid. Well, we did not have one, so I did everything, while Penelope did nothing. When we were in high school, I would wash our uniforms both. My mother had an annoying saying everytime. "She's your little sister. You should do it so that she'll learn from you."

But she never learnt anything. Till now, she's still learning from the "older sister." I scoffed. I heard footsteps approaching my room. It was Penelope.

"I would need your help today." She said as she walked into my room. No one actually spoke about how disrespectful my own younger sister is to me. Nobody actually cared.

"What is wrong with everyone in this family? Can't I at least have some peace? You keep disturbing me. What do you want, Penelope? I asked.

"Check the time." She said, rolling her eyes like an old witch.

"Are you crazy? If you have something to say, say it, or get the fuck out of my room."

"Well, if you don't want to, I'll help you." She walked towards my bedside table and took the wristwatch there.

"The time is 1pm. And you're still in bed. What does that tell you?"

I looked at her sternly. I had the urge to crush her but I stood still.

"You won't make it in life like this, sister. You won't. Such a shame." She said and twisted her mouth.

"What do you want, Penelope? I'm not in the mood for this."

"We have dinner at seven today. It's compulsory." She said, with one hand on her waist, while swinging the other slowly.

"Mum told me already. Now get out." I said and covered myself with the sheets.

Penelope dragged them away and threw them at the other end of the bed. I was amazed.

"Penelope! What was the meaning of that?"

"Meaning of what? I'm not done talking to you. So listen to me. It's not just any dinner. Jordan would be coming. Mum invited him. And we have a special announcement to make."

"I have no business with you, your family, or Jordan, whatever you call him. I'm really not in the mood for this. Just leave." I told her. I was already getting impatient.

"I know dear. Of course you have no business with us. But you do have business in the kitchen. Mum said you would cook the meals."

"And why would I do that? Isn't he your boyfriend?"

"And so what? Your duty is to make the meals. I was told to tell you. And you know what will happen if you don't do it right? I'll send you the list of what you'll make." she said.

"Why can't you do it yourself? Ohhh, I see," I laughed. "Poor girl, you can't even boil water. You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Don't insult me," She said. Her boldness had died down.

"I'm not insulting you. It's a fact. I wonder how your "boyfriend" would take it when he realizes that you cannot do anything. A waste of sperm!" I blurted.

She was filled with rage but she couldn't do anything. I could see the veins in her head sprawling out. She said finally:

"News flash. He knows and he loves me that way. You cannot say the same for yourself, can you? And I see where your cooking skills have taken you. To the jobless guy right?" She laughed.

"Don't forget to make the food tasty." She said again and banged the door.

"Bitch!" I hissed behind her. I was like a slave in my own house. I was wishing it would end one day. It definitely has to. They can just tell me if I was adopted. I would gladly look for my parents.

I proceeded to get things ready for the so-called dinner. I had to get a few things in the supermarket to make everything set. I realized when I got to the kitchen that some foodstuffs were not there. I looked at the other side of the kitchen that was covered with sooth just above the microwave and the thoughts of what happened that day flashed through my mind.

Penelope decided to make rice and her own. We were still in college. She was back before me and decided to make something to eat, but ended up burning the whole thing. I walked into the house, and saw my mother standing by the door. I greeted her, and a resounding slap followed.

"What did I do!" I was confused.

"Check what you caused in the kitchen," she said.

I walked to the kitchen and saw the mess. I came out quietly, with tears filled eyes.

"This house would have been burnt down. All because of you! Why did you let your sister cook alone?"

"Please, mum tell me, what exactly did I do? Or do you just hate me? I was not even around! I just came back. Why should I be punished for what Penelope did?" I asked, still crying.

"You are her older sister. You are supposed to guide her. Why did you let her do it on her own?

"Am I now her bodyguard? Is she a child?"

"I told her to help me but she said she'll be busy at school. I knew she was lying. She just wanted to avoid me." Penelope said.

"Are you not even ashamed of yourself?" I said, turning to her. I carried my bag and stormed out. That was the day I met Thomas.

I sighed heavily, leaving my thoughts. I took note of what I needed and left for the supermarket.

"Jordan proposed!" Penelope said over dinner, while every other person was busy with their food. No one said anything when we began to eat. She just decided to pop up the news of her useless proposal all of a sudden.

"Yes I did. We would love to take our relationship to the next step. I would love for your daughter to be my wife." Jordan said, and smiled at Penelope. He went further to drop his cutlery to hold her hands. They were sitting opposite each other.

"I knew you were a good person and the best option for my daughter from the first time I met you. We have approved even before you spoke." My dad said.

"Why won't you approve? He's a fucking billionaire! Disgusting people." I thought in my head.

"We support you hundred percent, Jordan. We know she is in safe hands with you." My mother said,

I just sat there, watching them as they spoke one after another. I don't know what I was feeling. If I was jealous, happy or just there. I however knew I wanted to leave the table. I was not even surprised. I knew he would propose to her. They have been all lovey-dovey. Even though something smelt fishy. Besides, I've not seen her so happy around any man.

I remembered when she first spoke about him. She came home one evening, and was smiling more than usual. My mum inquired. She was the type that told my parents everything. Usually, children did not tell their parents everything. But Penelope did. Well. Maybe not everything. The sneaky ones were buried inside of her. But she told them almost everything in her life. Maybe it was because she was the cherished one, so whatever she says will be accepted.

They did not know much about me. They did not care. And I loved it that way. They only knew my name, and also that I was an occupant in the house. Obviously.

So she came back that day, telling my mum about the man she met. She is an architect. So the Company she works for was going to design a building for him and she was one of the representatives. I was there in the kitchen too, helping out with dinner while I listened quietly as she told my mum the story of how they met and how she was already falling in love.

She went on to describe how handsome he was and all. How they exchanged contacts and also how he would take her to dinner the next day. The whole thing felt awkward to me though. Events happening too fast were usually suspicious. Why would he ask her out on a date on the first day? But then, I knew things like that happen. Besides, there was something called "love at first sight." Maybe I was just jealous. Or not. I don't know.

"That is impressive. You are indeed irresistible." My mum told her. I laughed silently. "Irresistible indeed."

"Some others can not say the same about themselves." I heard my mother say. I knew she was talking to me indirectly. So I pretended not to hear and continued what I was doing. She was used to doing that. I can't even remember if she has ever been nice to me since I was born. It has always been about Penelope. "Laura, do this for your sister." "Laura, do that for your sister." "She's younger. She wouldn't know if you don't teach her." And all the other rubbish. I was literally her slave.

Weeks and months passed, and the relationship was getting stronger. I was a bit envious. Not in a bad way. I just wanted to experience love like that too. I have never seen her so happy with any man. She never spoke so much about any man like she spoke about Jordan.

At some point, I thought she bewitched him. How did he not see her terrible sides? Or she changed because of him. No. I did not believe it. A Leopard cannot change its spots. But he had love in his eyes. It was genuine.

She introduced me to him one day when he came to the house.

"My sister." she told him. And then he stretched his hand to me for a handshake. She dragged him immediately to look like they were in a hurry and needed to go. Lie. She just did not want me to have a handshake with her god of a boyfriend.

"He's not even that cute," I said to myself, to feel better. Because he was actually cute.

I coughed, as the water I was drinking was about to choke me. I suddenly realized my mum and dad had been looking at me. They were sending me signals to say something. They did not want to give their new found in law any bad interpretation. I smiled.

"Erm.. congratulations to you both." I said, unsure if that came out well. My mum was not satisfied. She was still looking at me. She wanted me to say more. But I had nothing else to say. So I kept quiet.

Jordan excused himself to make a call.

"If you don't behave yourself, you'll regret it!" My mother said in a whisper.

I laughed. "Y'all need to stop hiding your true selves. He'll find out eventually. That you've been patching up Penelope for him."

"Shut the fuck up, you bitch!" Penelope said, almost shouting. I smiled and continued eating.

"Respect yourself Laura. Mind your words." My father said,

My mother was about to talk when Jordan showed up. He had finished making his call.

"Is everything alright? I heard..." he was trying to say.

"Well, we..." I was about to say.

"Everything is fine sweetheart." Penelope interrupted me immediately. Fool. She thought I was going to say something to jeopardise her chances with him.