Chapter 31
After the incredible Ralph Lauren show, Mike, Kendall, Gigi, Bella, Justin and Hailey decided to celebrate the new phase of their careers with a special dinner at a trendy Los Angeles restaurant. The mood was light and fun, reflecting everyone's excitement after Mike's success on the runways.
The group sat at a spacious table with a stunning view of the illuminated city. Laughter and lively conversation soon filled the air. Mike was grateful to have such close friends around him who supported him throughout this new journey.
"We need a toast!" Hailey declared, raising her wine glass. "To Mike, our new fashion icon!"
They all raised their glasses in unison, smiling and toasting Mike's success. He was surprised and touched by the recognition and affection he received from everyone.
"Thank you, guys. This means a lot to me," he said with a genuine smile.
Kendall, always ready to tease, looked at Mike with a mischievous smile. "And who would have thought that the former Navy SEAL would become the hottest model of the moment? I think Bad Bunny is in trouble!"
Everyone laughed, and Mike shook his head, embarrassed but amused by the joke.
"He can rest easy, I'm just getting started," Mike replied, winking at Kendall.
The lightheartedness of the moment was infectious, and they had a great time sharing funny stories about Mike's experiences in fashion and his misadventures behind the scenes.
During dinner, Bella and Gigi couldn't stop talking about the adventures they'd had with Mike, including the many times he'd made them laugh with his stories of military training.
"You should write a book, Mike! 'From the Battlefield to the Runway,'" Bella suggested, eliciting laughter.
"Maybe, but only if you write the foreword," he joked back, making everyone laugh even harder.
The atmosphere was light and fun, filled with friendship and mutual support. As they ate their delicious food, Justin looked at Mike with a look of admiration.
"Seriously, man, you're killing it. I'm so glad you found this new passion," he said sincerely. "I knew you had a spark, and now the world is seeing it too."
"Thanks, bro. It means a lot to hear that from you," Mike replied, smiling. "I'm just trying to enjoy every moment and do what I love."
After dinner, the group decided to take a walk through the streets of Los Angeles, where the energy of the city was vibrant. They took pictures, laughing and joking, and Mike couldn't help but feel like he was part of something bigger. The sense of belonging was new and invigorating.
Kendall and Gigi stood back for a while, discussing future plans for Mike. "You should consider walking in more fashion shows, maybe even international campaigns," Gigi suggested.
"Yeah! And maybe even a cameo in a movie?" Kendall added, winking. "Have you ever thought about acting?"
Mike laughed at the idea. "Acting? That's a whole new layer of pressure! But who knows?"
He was open to new experiences, especially if they involved people as amazing as his friends.
As they continued walking, Mike realized that life had changed dramatically for him. The unwavering support of his friends and the possibility of new opportunities in fashion made him feel more alive than ever. August promised to be a milestone in his life, and he was more than ready for whatever was to come.
Chapter 32
After talking to his friends about his growing popularity and the impact his new modeling career was having, Mike decided it was time to create a public profile on Instagram. Although he was a little hesitant, everyone, especially Kendall, Gigi, and Hailey, encouraged him to share more of his life with his fans and the general public.
One afternoon, he sat in the living room of Justin and Hailey's house, with his phone in hand.
"So, this is it... I'm about to enter the world of social media," he said, a little uncertainly.
"It's going to be great, Mike. You have an incredible story and people want to know you," Justin commented as he strummed his guitar.
Hailey smiled and came over, sitting next to Mike on the couch. "Come on, I'll help you. What will you name your profile?"
Mike thought for a moment and decided. "Michael Baldwin. It's simple, direct, and has a touch of formality that I like," he replied, smiling at the choice.
"Perfect! Now, what are you going to put in your bio?" Hailey asked as she watched Mike type.
Mike thought about it and wrote:
Former Navy SEAL | Model
Exploring new horizons.
"I think it looks great like this," he said, looking at Hailey for approval.
"It's amazing! Now, what's the first picture?" Hailey asked excitedly.
Mike smirked. "I think I'll start with something from my time in the Navy, something that really shows where I came from."
He opened the photo album on his phone, scrolling through the various images from his military career. Finally, he chose a photo of him in uniform, looking serious against a desert backdrop, on a mission in the Middle East. His imposing posture and the Navy SEAL patch on his uniform showed how much he had dedicated his life to military service.
"This one," he said, showing the photo to Hailey.
"This one is perfect. It will show the real you," she said with a proud smile.
With the photo selected, Mike adjusted the caption:
"First and foremost, always a SEAL. Honored to have served with the best."
He looked at Hailey once more. "What now? Just post it?"
"Yes! Go ahead!" she encouraged, laughing.
Mike took a deep breath and pressed the "Post" button. The photo soon appeared on his feed, officially marking his entry into social media.
Almost instantly, notifications began to appear. Comments from curious onlookers, fans, and even some former colleagues began to appear. Some praised his military career, others congratulated him on his new journey as a model, and many were impressed by his rugged and imposing appearance.
Gigi and Bella quickly commented:
@GigiHadid: "Nothing like a man in uniform! Welcome to Insta, Mike 👏🔥"
@BellaHadid: "That SEAL turned fashion icon, who knew? 😎"
Kendall also left her own playful comment:
@KendallJenner: "War survivor and now breaking hearts on the runway? Amazing!"
Mike laughed as he saw the comments, feeling the support and affection from his friends.
"Welcome to the world of social media, Mike," Hailey said, giving him a friendly hug. "I think you'll like this."
"We'll see," he replied, still getting used to the idea of sharing his life publicly. He knew that while his past had been one of confidentiality, the future was now full of new opportunities and he was ready to seize every one of them.
The night ended with Mike feeling more connected to this new phase of his life. The first photo was already out there, and people's reaction couldn't have been better. Now, he was ready to show more of who he was, beyond being a former military man and a rising model.
Chapter 33
It was a lively night in Los Angeles, and the mood was perfect for an NBA game. Mike, Hailey, and Justin were excited to watch the game and relax a little after so many new things in their lives. Justin wore a discreet cap, while Hailey wore a stylish and casual look. Mike, with his striking presence, opted for a simple look that, as always, highlighted his imposing figure.
When they arrived at the stadium, they were directed to their VIP seats, with a privileged view of the court. The game was about to start, and the energy of the crowd was contagious. Justin and Hailey talked about the teams, while Mike watched everything around him, still adapting to such a public and flashy lifestyle.
During the second quarter break, something unexpected happened. The giant screen in the stadium began to show some of the most familiar faces in the audience. First, some local celebrities appeared, provoking applause from the crowd. But when the screen panned to where Justin, Hailey, and Mike were standing, the arena erupted in cheers and applause.
"Look who's here tonight!" the event announcer exclaimed over the PA system. "Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin, but not only that… we have a war veteran in our midst!"
The camera zoomed in on Mike, who smiled awkwardly and waved to the crowd. Immediately, the audience began to applaud louder, and the announcer continued:
"Let's give a round of applause for Michael Baldwin, a Navy SEAL veteran who served our country with honor! Give it up for this hero!"
The crowd, realizing the significance of this moment, increased their applause even more. People stood, applauding Mike with enthusiasm and respect. Hailey and Justin also applauded along with the audience, visibly proud.
Mike, still surprised, waved again in thanks. Despite not being a big fan of being the center of attention, he was honored by the gesture. It was a rare moment when he saw public recognition of his years of military service.
"That was awesome, man," Justin said, leaning over to talk to Mike as the crowd continued to applaud. "You deserve all the respect."
Hailey nodded with a smile, hugging Mike from the side. "We're so proud of you. It was a beautiful moment."
Mike shook his head, laughing lightly. "I was just here to watch the game, I didn't expect all this."
But deep down, he felt a wave of gratitude. Not because of the fame, but because of the sincere recognition of his service.
The game continued, but that moment during halftime was unforgettable. Throughout the rest of the game, many people continued to look at the trio, especially Mike, now with even more admiration. Many made a point of approaching him during breaks to thank him for his service, which touched him, although he maintained his characteristic humility.
When the game ended, Hailey snapped a selfie of the three of them and posted it on her Instagram, captioning it:
"NBA night with my husband and our favorite hero! 🇺🇸🏀 #Veteran #NBA #Pride"
The reactions were swift. Comments flooded the post with praise for Mike, from fans to fellow celebrities acknowledging how much he was respected.
As they walked out of the stadium, Mike turned to Justin and Hailey. "This was a night I didn't expect, but it was one of the most special nights I've ever had."
Hailey smiled. "This is just the beginning, Mike. People are going to love you more and more."
And in that moment, Mike understood that even though his life had changed drastically, he could still carry with him the respect and honor of his past, while embracing the new opportunities that the present and future brought.
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