Episode 17: Public vs. Private

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Episode 17: Public vs. Private

Ivy’s POV

The café was lively, the soft hum of conversations blending with the clinking of coffee cups. I sat across from Camila, stirring my latte absentmindedly as she studied me with a teasing smirk.

“So…” Camila dragged out the word, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “How long are you planning to keep this whole secret girlfriend thing going?”

I sighed, already knowing where this was going. “Camila, it’s not about secrecy. It’s about privacy.”

Camila rested her chin on her palm. “Sure, but there’s a fine line between those two things, babe. And I think you might be leaning into secrecy a little too much.”

I narrowed my eyes. “No one needs to know about my personal life. Elena understands that.”

“But does she actually understand?” Camila pressed. “Or is she just waiting for you to be ready?”

I hesitated. I liked to think Elena and I were on the same page, but the truth was, I’d never asked. She always reassured me that she was fine with keeping things quiet, but what if she was just saying that for my sake?

Before I could answer, the café door chimed, and Lila walked in. She spotted us immediately and made her way over, slipping into the seat beside me.

Lila had always been my rock. As my cousin, she knew me better than most, but as Elena’s best friend, she also had a deep understanding of my girlfriend. She was the only person in my life who truly saw both sides.

“What’s going on?” Lila asked, eyeing Camila’s smug expression and my defensive posture.

“I’m just saying Ivy’s whole no one can know about my relationship thing is a bit extreme,” Camila said, crossing her arms. “Like, what’s the big deal?”

Lila turned to me, her expression softer. “You don’t have to explain yourself to Camila if you don’t want to.”

“Thank you,” I muttered.

“But,” Lila added, making me groan, “I do think it’s important for you to ask yourself why you’re so hesitant. Are you protecting your privacy, or are you afraid of what people will say?”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Not you too.”

Lila smiled sympathetically. “Look, I’m not saying you have to shout your relationship from the rooftops. But I know Elena, and I know she’s the type of person who loves with her whole heart. If there ever comes a day when she wants to be seen with you, wants to hold your hand in public, will you be ready for that?”

I swallowed hard, looking down at my coffee. I hadn’t thought about it like that before.

Camila leaned forward. “Exactly. It’s not about telling the world—it's about making sure Elena knows she’s not some hidden part of your life.”

Lila sighed. “Just talk to her, okay?”

I nodded, knowing they were right.

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Later That Night

I sat on my bad, nervously tracing circles on the back of her hand. She watched me carefully, sensing my unease.

“What’s wrong?” she asked gently.

I took a deep breath. “I had a conversation with Camila and Lila today.”

Elena raised a brow. “Oh?”

“They, um… brought up something I hadn’t really thought about before,” I admitted.

Elena squeezed my hand. “Talk to me.”

I exhaled slowly. “I know I’ve been the one pushing for privacy in our relationship, but I never actually asked how you feel about it.”

Elena’s expression softened. “Ivy, I’ve told you before—I’m okay with going at your pace.”

“I know, but…” I hesitated, struggling to put my thoughts into words. “What if one day you’re not okay with it? What if keeping us private starts to feel like hiding?”

Elena studied me for a moment before brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t feel hidden, Ivy. I feel chosen. You let me into your world, and that’s enough for me.”

My heart clenched at her words. How did she always know exactly what to say?

“But what if I never want to go public?” I asked in a small voice. “What if I always want to keep this just between us?”

Elena ran her thumb over my knuckles, her gaze steady. “Then I’ll respect that. I like you, not the idea of being in a public relationship.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “You really mean that?”

Elena smiled. “Of course. But Ivy, I also think it’s important to understand why you feel this way. Are you afraid of people knowing, or are you afraid of what they’ll say?”

I swallowed. That was the same question Lila had asked me earlier.

“I just don’t want people ruining what we have,” I admitted. “The moment people find out, there will be opinions, gossip, judgment. I don’t want that.”

Elena nodded. “I get that. And if keeping things private helps you feel safe, then that’s what we’ll do.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I pulled her into a hug. “Thank you,” I whispered into her shoulder.

Elena pressed a soft kiss to my temple. “Always.”

I exhaled, feeling the weight on my chest ease. Maybe one day I’d be ready to let the world in.

But for now, having Elena by my side was more than enough.