Chapter 34
It was a busy night in Los Angeles, and the group was at an exclusive party in one of the hottest spots in the city. Michael, Justin, Hailey, Gigi, Bella Hadid and Kylie Jenner were all together, enjoying the night with loud music, colorful lights and a relaxed atmosphere.
The event was full of celebrities, influencers and famous artists, and the group enjoyed the night, exchanging laughs and having fun with drinks.
Michael, now more accustomed to the Hollywood party environment, maintained his calm and observant posture, always aware of his surroundings, but relaxed alongside friends and people he considered his new family. Despite adapting to public life, his military past kept him a little distant from that world of flashes and glamour.
Suddenly, Kendall Jenner appeared in the VIP area where the group was, and next to her was the singer Bad Bunny, with his unique and irreverent style, wearing a set of extravagant clothes and sunglasses, even inside the venue.
Seeing them approaching, Gigi and Bella smiled and waved, as everyone knew Kendall and Bunny were together. Justin and Hailey greeted the couple, while Kylie exchanged a few words with her sister. Kendall, with a smile on her face, pulled Bunny closer and introduced him to Michael.
"Mike, this is Bad Bunny, my boyfriend," she said, with a twinkle in her eye.
Michael reached out to shake his hand, but his gaze was piercing. Bunny shook Mike's hand, but quickly let go, feeling the veteran's intensity. The greeting was brief and a little uncomfortable.
"Nice to meet you," Bad Bunny said casually, but Mike just nodded.
As the group continued to chat and laugh, Michael stood a little apart, watching Bunny with a more critical eye. He exchanged a few words with Hailey and Justin, and eventually, while Kendall and Bunny were having another conversation, Justin leaned over and asked quietly,
"Mike, is everything okay? You seem a little distant."
Michael looked at Justin and Hailey, and after a brief silence, he decided to be honest. "I don't really like him," he said, speaking directly and calmly, but without beating around the bush.
Hailey, surprised by Michael's honesty, asked, "Why, Mike? What bothers you about him?"
Michael sighed, looking at Bunny from a distance. "It's just... the way he is. Something about him bothers me. I know he's popular, but there's something about him that seems too superficial. It seems like he's always playing a role."
Justin nodded, understanding what Mike meant. "Do you think he's not authentic?"
"Exactly," Mike replied. "I'm not going to judge the guy completely, but my first impression wasn't the best. Maybe he's nice to Kendall, but I don't feel like he cares about what's around him. I don't know if he respects her the way he should."
Hailey glanced at Kendall and Bad Bunny, who were laughing with Gigi and Bella, and then back at Mike. "Maybe that's just the way he is, Mike. Sometimes people in this business can seem distant or... different."
Mike shrugged. "Maybe. But I value respect and authenticity. And I don't know if he has that."
The group continued to enjoy the party, but Michael's words kept echoing in Hailey and Justin's heads. Although the mood remained relaxed, they noticed that Mike avoided interacting with Bad Bunny, preferring to keep his distance and focus on conversations with his other friends.
As the night wore on, Michael couldn't help but think that something was off. Kendall, although radiant and in love, seemed to be struggling to maintain a relationship with Bunny.
For Michael, who had always been easy to read because of his military career, it was clear that Bad Bunny was a controversial figure and difficult to decipher.
As the party drew to a close, Mike, now quieter, decided to say goodbye and let his friends continue to enjoy the night. Before leaving, Justin and Hailey thanked him for coming and promised to talk to him later about how he felt.
As Mike walked out, he took one last look at Kendall and Bunny. "I hope I'm wrong," he muttered to himself, hoping that his concerns were just a matter of perception.
After all, he wanted the best for the people he loved, and Kendall deserved someone who treated her with the respect and consideration that he saw in Justin and Hailey.
Chapter 35
August was a time of reflection for Michael. A particularly difficult and defining moment was approaching. Each year, as the anniversary of the Extortion 17 tragedy approached, memories came flooding back, bringing with them the pain of loss.
On August 6, 2011, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan during a rescue operation, taking the lives of 30 American service members, including 17 DEVGRU SEALs, men Michael considered brothers.
He remembered that fateful morning clearly, the shock of hearing the news, and the overwhelming grief that followed. Losing teammates was always difficult, but Extortion 17 was an open wound for the entire military community, a brutal reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of freedom. And now, Mike felt the need to pay his respects.
That morning, Mike decided to make an Instagram post in memory of his fallen brothers. He knew many did not understand the depth of this loss, but for him, it was important to keep the memory of these men alive.
Sitting quietly in his room, he searched his personal files for a photo: a picture of several DEVGRU SEAL operators, including some of the friends he had lost that day. The photo showed them smiling, arms around each other, in a rare moment of relaxation after a successful mission. It was a picture full of life, of camaraderie, of brotherhood. Mike stared at the photo for a long time, feeling the weight of the memories. Then he typed his message.
"Today, we remember our brothers who were lost on Extortion 17. These men were more than teammates; they were brothers, warriors who gave their all for our country. Each of them represented the best of us. Losing them was one of the greatest tragedies I have ever experienced, and the void left by their absence is still profound. We will never forget their sacrifice. May their names and memories live on in our hearts. Hooyah, brothers. Until we meet again."*
He inserted the photo just below the words.
With a final breath, Mike hit the publish button.
The response was almost immediate. Comments began flooding in on the post. Service members and veterans from around the world joined in to pay their respects in the comments, leaving messages like "Hooyah" and "Never forgotten." Many civilians also began to comment, offering words of respect and support.
Some of the most moving comments came from widows and family members of fallen soldiers. They thanked Mike for keeping the memory of these men alive and sharing their grief, something that was often invisible to the general public. Celebrities and influencers who had recently connected with Michael also commented, showing their solidarity.
Among the comments, Hailey and Justin left their messages of support. Hailey wrote, "Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Much respect to you and your brothers, Mike." Justin added, "Always here for you, brother. They will always be remembered."
But what struck Mike the most was how many people outside the military community were moved by the story. Many commented that they had never heard of Extortion 17 before, but now understood the depth of the loss and sacrifice of these men.
Over the next few days, Mike's post continued to receive attention, and he sat in silence, reflecting on it all. While nothing could bring his brothers back, he knew that keeping their memories alive and honoring their sacrifice was the best way to show respect.
For him, this would never be a thing of the past; The pain and loss would always be there. Even as his life changed dramatically from covert military operations to fashion shows and public appearances Mike would never stop being the man forged by the challenges and tragedies he had faced.
And that late August, once again, he remembered who he really was and the men who had helped him become that way. In the back of his mind, Mike knew that life would go on, but the memories of those fallen brothers would never fade. They would continue to be his motivation, his quiet strength in everything he did.
Chapter 36
September arrived, bringing with it even more profound memories for Michael. It was a month marked by tributes, especially to those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 attacks.
This devastating event was a turning point in his life, and it was the catalyst for his induction into the Navy SEALs, where his mission became to defend his country and protect lives, no matter the cost.
That morning, Michael woke up early, as usual, but felt he needed to do something special. He knew that many former military personnel and families of 9/11 victims were also preparing for the day of remembrance, and he wanted to use his platform to do his part.
Since creating his public Instagram account, Mike felt he could share his experiences and perhaps shed some light on the stories of sacrifice that often go untold.
After spending some time reflecting, he went through his personal archives and pulled out a few photos. These were images from his time in Afghanistan, on missions he and his comrades had flown to combat terrorism missions that, for him, had a direct purpose after the events of 9/11.
The photos showed Mike and his brothers-in-arms dressed in combat fatigues, camouflage, and gear, with the determined look of those always ready for action. Some photos captured moments of camaraderie, others moments of silence after difficult missions, and others showed the arid, mountainous landscapes of Afghanistan, where many of their battles took place. Mike began writing the text of his post:
"Today, we honor the victims of the September 11 attacks, a day that changed the world and began a fight that continues to this day. For those who lost friends, family, and loved ones that day, know that your lives have not been forgotten. For those of us who answered the call and enlisted in the wake of the attacks, our duty has always been clear: to protect our nation and ensure that something like this never happens again.
Over the years, I have lost many brothers and sisters in combat. Warriors who fought alongside me in the mountains of Afghanistan, in the deserts of the Middle East, in places where battles are fought not just with weapons, but with courage and sacrifice. Some of these men and women never returned home, but their memories live on within us who continue to carry their stories.
Today, I remember the sacrifices made, the missions accomplished, and each of you who gave your all. I honor you. The price of freedom is high, but it is worth every penny. And for those still fighting, remember: the only easy day was yesterday."
In the end, Mike posted four photos. The first was a picture of him and his platoon, in a rare moment of relaxation, all smiling, covered in dust and sweat after a mission. The second showed him in action, holding his rifle as he looked out over the mountainous horizon. The third was an American flag fluttering in the wind on a hilltop, and the last was a nighttime photo of a helicopter hovering overhead, its lights cutting through the darkness.
As soon as he hit "post," the response was immediate. His growing profile was flooded with comments of support, respect, and gratitude. Veterans began sharing their own stories, thanking Michael for bringing light to experiences that many were afraid or reluctant to talk about. Civilians expressed their respect for the courage of the men and women who served their country, while families of 9/11 victims spoke emotionally about how important it was to see people like Michael remembering the meaning of that day.
In the comments, Hailey wrote, "So proud of you Mike. Your sacrifice and that of your brothers will never be forgotten." Justin also offered his support with a simple but powerful message: "You are a true hero, brother. Never forget that."
But what touched Michael the most were the comments from military personnel and veterans who shared their stories of loss and sacrifice, echoing the weight of what it meant to serve in such difficult times.
One veteran commented, "The only easy day was yesterday. That's the truth. We will never forget those lost. Thank you for representing us Mike."
Another user wrote, "These photos are a reminder of everything you've been through. I'm forever grateful for what you've done for us."
Throughout the day, Michael spent time responding to some of the comments and direct messages, thanking them for their words of support and sharing a little more about his own journey.
For him, this day was not just a reflection on the events of 9/11, but on everything he had experienced since. Even as a role model now, Michael's soul was still there deeply rooted in the life he had led as a SEAL. And he knew that no matter where life took him, those memories and the sacrifices he had witnessed would always be a part of who he was.
That day, Michael recalled the motto that had stayed with him throughout his military career: "The only easy day was yesterday." He knew that this was true not only for the men and women on the battlefield, but for everyone who fights in any way to protect the freedom and legacy of those who were lost.
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