Chapter 25-26-27

Chapter 25 – An Unexpected Encounter

The morning in Los Angeles started off calmly. Rafael was in the kitchen making coffee for himself and Gigi, while she and Khai played in the living room. He knew that this day would be significant. Gigi had mentioned that Zayn Malik, Khai's father, wanted to meet him.

Rafael wasn't the type to be intimidated, but he understood that meetings like this could be delicate. The father of Gigi's daughter had every right to want to know more about the man who was now part of her and Khai's lives.

"Nervous?" Gigi asked, entering the kitchen with a mischievous smile.

"Not exactly. But I know that this type of meeting requires caution," Rafael replied, as he stirred his coffee.

"You'll do great. Zayn already knows that Khai likes you a lot, and that's the most important thing."

Rafael nodded. He had built a special bond with Khai, and he knew that Zayn valued his daughter's well-being above all else.

Afternoon arrived, and the sound of a car pulling up in front of the house announced Zayn's arrival. Gigi opened the door with a warm smile, while Khai ran to hug her father.

"Daddy!" Khai shouted, jumping into his arms.

Zayn hugged his daughter tightly before looking at Gigi and then at Rafael, who was standing nearby, watching the scene with respect.

"Zayn, this is Rafael," Gigi said, introducing them.

Rafael extended his hand firmly, but in a friendly manner.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Khai talks a lot about you."

Zayn shook Rafael's hand, with a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Likewise. Gigi also mentioned you a lot. It seems that Khai really enjoys your company."

"She's an amazing girl. It's easy to like her," Rafael replied, sincerely.

The four of them sat in the living room for a chat. Gigi served drinks, while Khai played with his toys next to him.

"So, Rafael," Zayn began, looking directly at him. "Gigi mentioned that you have an interesting story. Brazilian Special Forces, BOPE, things like that."

Rafael smiled.

"Yes, my past is a bit... eventful. But I left that life behind when I moved to New York."

Zayn nodded, intrigued.

"And how was that transition? From something so intense to... well, this."

"Difficult, but necessary. When you live in extreme situations for so long, you realize the value of a quiet life. New York was a start, but Los Angeles is showing me something new too," Rafael said, glancing at Gigi.

Zayn noticed the look and smiled slightly.

"Well, I'm glad Khai has someone like that around. She talks about you all the time, and she seems very happy."

— That means a lot to me, Zayn. I know how much she loves you, and I completely respect the role you play in her life.

Zayn seemed to relax a little more with that answer, which made Gigi let out a small sigh of relief.

As the conversation flowed, the two men found common ground. They talked about music, since Rafael mentioned liking some of Zayn's songs, and shared travel stories. When Rafael mentioned that he had visited the United Kingdom during military training, Zayn became interested.

— And have you really been to so many parts of the world? — Zayn asked.

— Yes. Work has taken me to places I would never have imagined. Some good, others... not so much.

— I bet Khai made you promise to take her traveling, right? — Zayn joked.

Rafael laughed.

— Yes, she mentioned something about Disneyland. Looks like that will be my next mission.

The answer made Zayn laugh, and Gigi realized that the initial tension between them had completely disappeared.

When Khai asked Zayn to help her with a puzzle in the living room, he went to the table with his daughter, leaving Gigi and Rafael watching from afar.

"I told you you'd do great," Gigi whispered to Rafael, touching his hand.

"He's a good father. I can tell," Rafael replied genuinely.

After Khai finished his puzzle, Zayn looked at Gigi and Rafael, with a more relaxed smile.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Rafael. Thank you for treating Khai so well."

"She's an important part of my life now. You have my word that I'll always do my best for her," Rafael said firmly.

Zayn nodded, and the two shook hands again, this time with more warmth.

As Zayn was getting ready to leave, Khai gave him a tight hug.

— See you soon, Daddy!

Zayn looked at Gigi and Rafael one last time before getting into the car.

— See you later, guys. And Rafael, take good care of them.

— Always — Rafael replied, watching Zayn leave.

Back in the living room, Gigi hugged Rafael from the side.

— You were amazing.

— I was just being honest. He's Khai's dad, and that will always be something I respect.

Gigi smiled, touched.

— I think you just won everyone of the world around me, Rafael Valente.

He laughed, kissing her on the forehead.

"I won't do it for less."

And so, another bond was created in Rafael's life, one that further strengthened his bond with Gigi and Khai, while proving that he was a man worthy of the trust and respect of everyone around him.

Chapter 26 – The Skydive

The sun was shining brightly over Los Angeles that morning, which was a perfect prelude to the adventure Rafael and Gigi had been planning for weeks.

Ever since Gigi had casually mentioned that she wanted to do something "crazy and unforgettable," Rafael, with his adrenaline-fueled past, knew exactly what to propose: a skydive.

At first, Gigi laughed, thinking it was just a joke. But when Rafael showed her the plan, her excitement was contagious. She wanted something extraordinary, and Rafael was the perfect partner to make her dream a reality.

On the day of the jump, Gigi was excited and anxious at the same time. As they drove to the airfield, she stared out the window, her heart racing.

"I still can't believe I'm actually doing this, Rafael," she said, turning to him with a nervous smile.

Rafael, driving calmly, shrugged and gave her a confident smile.

— It's like I always say: sometimes the best way to live is to throw yourself into it… literally.

She laughed, but her eyes were bright with excitement and a touch of nervousness.

When they arrived at the airfield, the team of instructors greeted them enthusiastically. Rafael, already accustomed to situations like this from his days in the military, seemed completely at ease as he helped Gigi into her gear.

"Ready to fly?" he asked, adjusting her helmet.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready, but I'll definitely try," Gigi replied, laughing.

Climbing aboard the small plane, Gigi settled in next to Rafael, holding his hand tightly. The roar of the plane's engine and the vibration of takeoff made her heart race even faster.

"How are you so calm?" Gigi asked, squeezing his hand.

"Confidence, Gigi. Confidence and practice," Rafael replied with a calm smile. "Besides, I know I'll be there with you the whole time."

She nodded, feeling a little more confident. As the plane climbed, the view of Los Angeles grew more and more impressive, with the Hollywood Hills and the Pacific Ocean stretching out in the distance.

When the signal was given to get ready, Gigi felt a mix of dread and excitement. Rafael stood first, adjusting his equipment with the confidence and skill of someone who had done this many times before.

"Come on, Gigi. You can do it," he said, holding out his hand to her.

She took a deep breath and took his hand, standing up.

"I trust you, Rafael."

"And I trust you."

Together, they walked to the open door of the plane. The wind roared around them, and Gigi looked down, seeing the world like a tiny map beneath her feet.

"It's now or never," she murmured.

With one last encouraging look, Rafael counted.

"Three, two, one…jump!"

They jumped, and the world seemed to disappear for a moment. The sound of the wind was deafening, but the feeling of freedom was incomparable.

Gigi screamed, but soon her scream turned into laughter of pure euphoria. Rafael was next to her, his movements precise and confident as he adjusted his position in the air. He looked at Gigi and saw the smile on her face, the kind of joy that could only come from such a unique experience.

"This is incredible!" she shouted, laughing.

"Welcome to the world above the clouds!" he replied, also smiling.

When the parachute opened, Gigi sighed in relief, still laughing. The rest of the flight was more peaceful, with time to enjoy the panoramic view of Los Angeles.

"I'll never forget this," Gigi said, looking at Rafael.

"That's what crazy moments are for. To be unforgettable," he replied.

They landed softly on the ground, and Gigi, still laughing, threw herself into Rafael's arms. — You're crazy, you know that?

"Crazy enough to go with you," he said, hugging her back.

Later, back in the car, Gigi reviewed the photos and videos the crew had taken. One of them showed the two of them jumping together, with the blue sky as a backdrop.

"This needs to go on Instagram," she said excitedly.

"Just make sure you write something that captures the moment," Rafael joked.

She smiled, typing the caption:

"Jumping from the sky with the best adventure partner I could ask for. 💙"

When the post went live, the comments instantly exploded. Friends, fans, and colleagues celebrated her courage and applauded Rafael for being the ideal partner.

Back at home, as they relaxed on the couch, Gigi looked at Rafael with a fond smile.

"You know, today was one of the most incredible days of my life."

"I'm happy to hear that." Life is too short not to do things like this every now and then.

She leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being so… you."

"I'm the one who thanks you for letting me be a part of your life, Gigi."

That night, as the online world still thrilled by her post, Rafael and Gigi knew that the skydiving was just another chapter in a story full of extraordinary moments and that many more were yet to come.

Chapter 27 – Adventures in Texas

The sun was shining brightly in the open Texas sky as the plane touched down at the small local airport. Rafael and Gigi had decided to take a few days off and visit Bella and her boyfriend, Adán Buelanos, at their country estate. Rafael, with his passion for outdoor activities, and Gigi, eager to see her sister again, were excited for the trip.

"You're going to love Adán," Gigi said as they grabbed their bags. "He's very easygoing, but he has a sense of humor that matches yours."

Rafael smiled, adjusting his backpack on his shoulder.

"If he's someone Bella likes, I know he's a good person."

They walked outside to find Bella and Adán waiting for them with warm smiles. Bella ran to hug Gigi, while Adán, a tall man with strong Latin features, held out his hand to Rafael.

"Rafael, I finally meet you. I've heard so many stories about you."

"I hope they're good," Rafael replied, shaking her hand firmly.

Adán laughed.

"For now, all good. Let's see how you do today."

Rafael raised an eyebrow, intrigued, but didn't ask anything else.

Adán's estate was extensive, with open fields, white fences, and an impressive barn in the distance. Horses grazed peacefully, and the landscape looked like something out of a Wild West movie.

"Welcome to my private paradise," Adán said as they got out of the car.

"This is incredible," Rafael commented, admiring the place.

"Wait until we get on the horses. I want to see if you can keep up," Adán teased with a challenging smile.

Gigi and Bella laughed, while Rafael just smiled back.

"Let's see who falls behind."

After they settled in and had lunch, Adán took Rafael to the stable. He introduced the horses with the affection of someone who considered them part of the family.

"This one is Diablo, my favorite." Strong, fast and full of personality.

Rafael approached, stroking the horse's nose respectfully.

"He's impressive. But what will mine be?"

Adán pointed to a black horse named Lightning.

"He has plenty of energy. I think you'll like him."

Rafael mounted the horse with the ease of someone accustomed to adapting to any situation. Adán watched him, impressed.

"Have you done this before?"

"A few times, but it was a while ago," Rafael replied.

"Well, let's see if you remember how to do it."

The two rode to an open field, where Gigi and Bella watched from afar, cheering and laughing.

"Are you ready to see your boyfriend lose?" Adán joked.

Rafael smirked.

"Don't count your victory before it's time."

When Adán gave the signal, both horses took off, raising dust across the field. Rafael kept control with ease, focused on maintaining speed and direction. Adán was ahead, but Rafael picked up the pace, closing the gap.

Gigi and Bella cheered and clapped as the two men ran side by side. In the final few meters, Rafael leaned forward, encouraging Lightning, who passed Diablo in the final moments.

Adán stopped the horse and laughed, shaking his head.

"I have to admit, you know what you're doing."

Rafael shrugged, smiling.

"You too. Diablo is an amazing horse."

Adán extended his hand, and they shook like good friends.

Later, everyone gathered on the porch of Adán's house, where a campfire burned gently. The smell of barbecue filled the air, and the mood was relaxed.

"Rafael, I have to ask," Adán said as he poured another round of drinks. "What was it like going from the military to civilian life? It must be a huge change."

Rafael thought for a moment before answering.

— It's a tough transition. You go from an environment where everything is about teamwork, discipline, and clear goals, to a world where things are… different. But I was lucky. I found my balance, and now I have Gigi, which makes it all worth it.

Gigi smiled and squeezed his hand.

— And you? What's it like living out here in the middle of nowhere? — Rafael asked Adán.

Adán laughed.

— Sometimes it's too peaceful, but I love the freedom. Nothing compares to galloping through the countryside or spending an evening like this, with good food and good company.

Bella looked at Rafael and said:

— I think you and Adán have more in common than we thought.

Rafael agreed.

— Maybe. Maybe it's the love of simplicity and challenges.

Reflections from the Trip

At the end of the night, Gigi and Rafael retired to one of the guest rooms. Gigi lay down on the bed, smiling.

— I think you've won the approval of another member of the family.

Rafael laughed, sitting down next to her.

"Adán is a nice guy. It was a great day."

She looked at him tenderly.

"You know, I'm more and more impressed with how you adapt to any situation."

"It's just part of who I am," he replied, caressing her face.

Gigi smiled and snuggled into him, feeling happier than she had ever felt. That trip to Texas not only strengthened his bonds with his family, but it also showed, once again, how special Rafael was.

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