However 💕

CHAPTER-21

Evy's. Pov ((Voila's best friend))

The projects I was handling have finally been settled—well, at least the major outlines are drawn. The management and staff will handle the rest from here. Now, all my energy is going into planning Sky’s birthday. Two months ago, if someone had told me I’d be excited about that crazy man’s birthday, I would have laughed in their face. And yet, here I am. Ridiculous, isn't it?

I still have mixed feelings about him. Sometimes, I suspect he’s involved in something dangerous—something dark—and Cliff? He’s knee-deep in the same mess. Trusting either of them doesn’t sit well with me this time. There’s this constant tightrope of uncertainty I walk on.

Also… I’ve become self-conscious. That man—Sky—he’s got a crowd of women circling around him like bees to honey. So why would someone like him ever lay eyes on someone like me? I’ve always been the storm in the story, not the sunrise. Voila was the light in my life. She showed me dawn when I thought I’d live forever in the dark. Her family—God, her family—picked me up when life abandoned me. They gave me a roof, food, love… wings. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe we aren’t blood sisters. Because they never made me feel like I wasn’t one of them.

God took my parents, but in return, He gave me the Ashbournes. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.

So if there's ever a chance that my choices could harm them—even slightly—I would burn those choices to ash. If getting closer to Sky pulls Voila closer to Cliff… then maybe I need to take a step back. Things between them seem fine on the surface, but after Voila’s emotional breakdown that day, I’m scared to my core. And I’m adamant. If Voila wants to keep her distance from Cliff, then so be it. Even if that means I have to put a thousand miles between Sky and myself.

That might sound absurd to some, but for that woman, I’d give up everything. Leaving a man? That’s a small sacrifice.

I don’t even know if Sky truly likes me. Via keeps nudging me, whispering things like, “Look how he sees you,” “Look how he treats you,” “You two look so good together,” or “Let me be your Cupid.” And honestly, I want to believe her. But for now, I’ll trust the process. Proceeding with friendship feels safest. I’ll follow the wisdom of the great love advisor Voila Ashbourne, who says, “Always keep your guard on.” Ironically, I know she’s let hers down completely for Cliff. But I? I’ll be the gatekeeper—for both of us.

Today, I had prepared some designer clothes for Sky—the ones he mentioned liking once. A small surprise gift. Meanwhile, the house echoed with madness, courtesy of a certain Voila Ashbourne yelling from the hallway, muttering to herself like a lunatic.

Suppressing a laugh, I called out, “Are you done talking to yourself?”

She turned around with the most adorable guilty face and said, “I’m confused! What would he like?”

I chuckled. “He’d like whatever you offer. You’re a sister to him—with all his heart.”

She paused for a second and then her eyes lit up. “Idea!” she gasped and sprinted off to make a call.

I blinked. What idea? What just struck her?

Shaking my head, I picked up my phone. Three unread messages. All from an unknown number.

“Hello! It’s Anthony. Can you help me meet Via?”

Anthony.

Voila’s ex.

I froze.

What does he want now? They broke up on good terms—sure—but that chapter had ended a long time ago. She moved to California. He chose to stay in India. They took the high road, hugged it out, and parted ways. But why now? Why reach out?