𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨́𝐧 𝐈𝐯𝐲

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟑𝟖.

Five Years Later

Ivy's Pov
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you all for joining me tonight in this beautiful spot in downtown New York. I'm Ivy, and I'm thrilled to share my journey with you. When I first started writing this book, it was meant to be a deeply personal story about my life. I wanted to share my experiences, my struggles, and my triumphs. But as I wrote, I realized that my story wasn't just mine—it was a story that many could relate to. So, I decided to take a different approach."

"Instead of writing from my point of view, I created a narrative that everyone could see themselves in, while still weaving in pieces of my own life. This book is about love, identity, and the human experience. It's about the moments that shape us and the connections that define us. I hope it resonates with you and that you find a part of yourself within its pages. To new beginnings, shared stories, and the connections that make us who we are. Here's to finding pieces of ourselves in every page. Cheers!"

I lowered my mic and raised the champagne cup in the air, with the crowd following suit. I smiled widely, taking in the faces of those I appreciated and loved the most. The crowd erupted into applause as I waved and walked off the podium. I stopped to talk to a few people, both familiar and unfamiliar, but deep down, I was searching for my family in the large crowd.

Searching around, I spotted a tall man with his arm wrapped around a woman whose back was facing me. My eyes lit up, immediately recognizing them as my parents. I picked up my dress and carefully walked towards them in my tall red-bottom heels. I gently tapped my father on the shoulder, causing both of them to turn around.

My father looked at me, his eyes widening with joy. "V, we are so incredibly proud of you. Your mother and I have watched you grow into the strong, amazing woman you are today. We can't wait to read your book and see the world through your eyes."

"Thank you, Papa. I can't wait for you guys to read it. Just make sure to skip chapter 10," I said with a mischievous smile. I pulled them both into a hug, giving each a kiss on the cheek before stepping back with a playful yet nervous look on my face.

"And why is that, young lady?" My mother asked suspiciously, raising an eyebrow at me. I cleared my throat and scratched the back of my head.

"We'll catch up later! Love you both! I really need to use the bathroom," I said, already making my escape. Their amused head shakes made me giggle as I weaved through the crowd, exchanging quick waves with others. Finally, I reached the bathroom. I pulled the door open and stepped into the clean space, the sound of my heels echoing off the tiled floor.

I closed the door behind me and stepped in front of the mirror, my reflection staring back at me. I sighed and placed my bag on the counter, running my hands through my hair and savoring the rare moment of peace and quiet. Although I appreciated the support and encouragement, it could get overwhelming at times. My supporters could be a bit much at times, and it had been quite the challenge to push through the crowd outside just to get inside the building.