My Life Exposed

Deciding My Future.

Jace and I decide to gather our families together to discuss everything. "Are you sure it's okay to tell your parents about my past? I don't want them to think differently of me," I tell Jace. "Don't worry, Mila. My parents will not judge you. Don't forget, you're the victim in all of this. What you did in the past was to survive. It's going to be okay, I promise. Trust me." I take his outstretched hand and tell him, "I trust you." We gather our parents in the living room and tell them the whole story. I tell them everything I believe Scott told Jade and how she is determined to release the information. Tracy looks at my father and says, "Phillip, if this information gets out, it's likely to destroy your campaign." "Do you think I give a damn about my campaign right now? All I care about is my daughter and how this will affect her as well as her future." I interrupt my dad and say, "No, dad. Tracy is right. You've worked so hard to be District Attorney and I can't be the reason you lose this campaign." My dad sighs and says, "I don't know what to do about Jade anymore. She's put herself in a bad situation. I've cut her off, canceled her credit cards, and she's on probation and has community service for a year. What is it going to take to get her to stop?" Tracy rubs her forehead and says, "I don't know. She clearly doesn't care about anything but herself." "You're right," I tell Tracy, "She's going to find a way to get this information out one way or another. She wants to take both Jace and Yale from me so badly that she is willing to do anything." My dad sits up straight and says, "What I don't understand is how Jade had the money to pay Scott the $50,000 for the tape in the first place. I know that I didn't give it to her and it didn't come out of her trust fund. Who gave her that kind of money?" My dad looks at Tracy and asks, "Did you give her the money not knowing what she was going to do with it?" Tracy says, "Absolutely not! I would not give her $50,000 without asking questions." The problem is that I know where she got the money. Do I tell my dad and risk his relationship with his partners or do I keep my mouth shut? "Dad, I know where Jade got the money." "How," he asks. "I overheard her talking to her friends one day about a side job. Something about helping some very powerful business men. I don't know any details but that's the only way I think she could've got that kind of money." Tracy stands up and says, "How long have you known about this?" "For a couple of months," I tell her. "A couple of months and you didn't think to say anything?" "Well, I wasn't sure of what she was doing and I didn't want to do anything that could hurt dad's campaign. I'm really sorry that I didn't say anything sooner." My dad reaches out to Tracy and says, "Jade is out of control, Tracy. We have to do something about it." "I know. I just don't know what, Phillip." We all sit quietly for a moment, trying to come up with a plan. Finally, Tracy says, "Why don't we get ahead of this? Let Mila do an interview or something about her life story. How she's come up from her past. That way it will already be out there and it won't make a difference whether or not it comes out." My father looks at me and says, "I don't know. I don't know if Mila can handle that." Jace's mother speaks up and says, "I think that would be the best thing for you to do. I can still talk to the dean at Yale and explain everything to try to get her back on the early acceptance list. I mean none of this is her fault. She's had a troubled childhood and her story might be inspirational. She grew up with nothing and didn't have any support from her mother so she did what she had to do to survive." "I agree," says Jace's father, "She's excelling through school and now she's on her way to get early acceptance to Yale, all on her own. It's an inspiring story that I think a lot of young people could benefit from hearing about." "Thank you. That actually means a lot to hear. If this is what it takes to help out dad then I am willing to do it," I say. "Are you sure, sweetie? You don't have to do this," my father asks. "Dad, you've worked so hard for this. I'm not going to let my past get in the way of that." Tracy says, "Thank you, Mila. I'll schedule for you to be interviewed tomorrow." With that, Jade walks through the door and Tacy asks her where she's been. "I went to the mall with my friends," says Jade. "Oh, the mall? Did you forget that you are grounded?" Jade snickers and asks, "Oh wait, that was for real?" "Yes Jade, it's for real. You are grounded; you are to go to school and come straight back home. Now that we know that you have even more plans to try and sabotage Mila, give me your phone. No phone and no computer privileges - at all." Jade's mouth drops, "You have got to be kidding me." "No, I'm not kidding. We are done putting up with your bullshit. I don't know what has gotten into you but it ends today." "Fine, take Mila's side over mine. I see where I stand." "Jade your behavior is affecting this family and not in a good way. It's like you don't even care about your father's campaign anymore." "I'm sorry, but I just don't like Mila. I wish she never came here and I'm not going to apologize for that. My mind will never change about her no matter what you do to me. You may think you've stopped me but I'm not the only one that wants to see her go down." I can't stay quiet any longer, "Jade, why are you doing this to me? Is all of this because of Jace?" "No, it's not just Jace, it's Yale too. The early acceptance was supposed to be mine. You came in and took my spot; you took everything from me!" "I didn't take anything from you, Jade! You could have still gotten into Yale, but you went and ruined it for yourself. I didn't do that - you did!" "Whatever," Jade looks at Tracy and asks, "can I go to my room now?" Tracy says, "Yes, go to your room and stay up there until it's dinner time." We all discuss the next steps then Jace's parents head home. Jace comes with me up to my room to talk about everything. "Are you sure you want to do this interview tomorrow," he asks. "Yes, it's best for everyone. I know it'll be hard on me but it'll eventually blow over and everything can finally go back to normal. You and I can actually have a real relationship." "Hmm I wonder what that will be like?" "We'll go on dates and get to have some real fun." "Oh, I cannot wait," he says as he kisses me. As I'm telling Jace goodnight, he asks me if I want him here for the interview tomorrow. "Yes, I would love for you to be by my side. It would mean a lot to me." "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he says. He kisses me one last time goodnight and leaves. I go upstairs and head to bed and prepare for the most awkward interview of my life tomorrow.