The Former BOPE Police Oficcer

Chapter 22 – Meeting Patriarch Hadid

The sun was shining brightly in Los Angeles that morning. Rafael was adjusting some details in the garden of their new home while Gigi walked onto the porch with her cell phone in her hand, a slightly nervous expression on her face.

"Rafael, my father is coming to visit us today. I really want you to meet him."

Rafael looked at her, noticing the anxiety in her eyes.

"Great. I can't wait to meet him. Is there anything I should know?"

Gigi smiled nervously.

"My father, Mohamed, is a very intelligent, charming man, and proud of his roots. He was born in Palestine, so he appreciates traditions, history, and… he can be a bit demanding."

Rafael nodded, crossing his arms.

"Understood. I'll be myself, as always."

A few hours later, a black car pulled up in the driveway. Gigi ran to the door to greet him. Mohamed Hadid stepped out of the car with a warm smile on his face. His elegant bearing and charisma were unmistakable.

"Daddy!" Gigi exclaimed, hugging him.

"My dear!" Mohamed replied, kissing the top of her head.

When Rafael appeared in the doorway, Mohamed looked up, assessing the tall, imposing man who approached.

"Daddy, this is Rafael."

Rafael extended his hand with a calm smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Hadid."

Mohamed shook his hand firmly.

"Rafael. I've heard of you."

"I hope good things," Rafael said with a slight smile.

Mohamed laughed, seeming to relax a little.

"Well, let's find out."

Gigi prepared a lunch inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes such as tabbouleh, hummus, and roast lamb. As they ate, Mohamed began asking questions to get to know Rafael better.

— Gigi told me you're from Brazil. What a fascinating place.

— Thank you. Brazil is truly incredible, with so much cultural diversity.

— And what brought you to the United States?

— After I retired from the Special Forces and BOPE, I decided to explore the world. The United States was one of the places I always wanted to visit.

Mohamed raised an eyebrow, interested.

— Special Forces? Gigi mentioned that. Any connection to the Middle East?

Rafael put his fork down on his plate, looking directly at Mohamed.

— Actually, yes. During my career, I had the honor of training with elite Israeli units, such as the Israel Defense Forces. I learned a lot from them and also had the opportunity to visit Israel.

Mohamed, who until then seemed cautious, smiled broadly.

— Do you speak Hebrew?

Rafael nodded.

— כן, אני מדבר קצת עברית. (Yes, I speak some Hebrew.)

Mohamed was visibly impressed.

— That's admirable. Few people dedicate themselves to learning something so unique.

— It was an enriching experience. I've always had great respect for the culture and history of the region.

Mohamed seemed increasingly interested in Rafael. He began sharing stories of his youth in Palestine, his travels, and his passion for architecture. Rafael listened intently, responding with intelligent comments and pointed questions that showed his genuine interest.

— So, Rafael, what attracted you to my daughter? — Mohamed asked, crossing his arms and smiling slightly.

Rafael looked at Gigi, who seemed eager for the answer.

— Gigi is an incredible woman. She's strong, talented, and has a huge heart. It was easy to fall in love with her.

Gigi smiled, blushing, while Mohamed nodded slowly, looking pleased.

After lunch, Mohamed asked to see the house's garden. He and Rafael walked together while Gigi watched from afar, hoping that everything would go well.

"Rafael, let me be blunt. You seem like a good man, but Gigi is my daughter, and my priority is her happiness."

Rafael stopped walking and looked directly at Mohamed.

"I completely understand. And I can assure you that my priority is her happiness, too."

Mohamed studied Rafael for a moment before smiling.

"I believe in you. There's something about your posture that inspires confidence."

"Thank you, Mr. Hadid."

When the tour was over, Mohamed said goodbye with a warm hug to Gigi and a firm handshake to Rafael.

"Rafael, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'm impressed with your story and the man you are." — Thank you, Mr. Hadid. The pleasure was all mine.

As Mohamed left, Gigi ran into Rafael's arms, beaming from ear to ear.

— You won my father over!

— Mission accomplished. — Rafael joked, hugging her back.

It was clear that Mohamed now saw Rafael as part of the family, an achievement that only strengthened the bond between him and Gigi.

Chapter 23 – Truths on the Horizon

The day started out peacefully at Gigi and Rafael's house in Los Angeles. Gigi was on the couch reading a book, while Rafael organized his workout routine. Suddenly, Gigi's phone started ringing incessantly, with notifications of messages and calls. Gigi frowned, picking up her cell phone.

"Rafael, something strange is happening."

"What?" he asked, moving closer.

Gigi opened a message from Bella, which said: "Gigi, have you seen the news? Rafael's name is everywhere!"

Rafael narrowed his eyes.

"News?"

She quickly accessed a Brazilian news website, reading aloud:

"Former BOPE police officer Rafael Valente is being accused of involvement in the murder of a civilian during an operation in Rio de Janeiro. Sources say the case was reopened due to pressure from the victim's family."

The silence in the room was overwhelming. Rafael took a deep breath, his expression hardening.

— That's a blatant lie.

Gigi held his hand.

— Rafael, what happened?

He ran his hand through his hair, visibly frustrated.

— It was during an operation in 2017. Our team was ambushed in a favela. The situation was chaotic, and a civilian was hit in the crossfire. Everything was investigated at the time, and we were acquitted. Now they're trying to revive that?

While Rafael tried to understand what was happening, social media was in an uproar. The news quickly went beyond Brazil and took over the international media. Sensational headlines appeared every minute:

"The dark past of Gigi Hadid's boyfriend."

"Former BOPE officer involved in murder? Understand the case."

"Gigi Hadid in romance with man accused of homicide in Brazil."

Gigi saw the notifications on her phone explode, with questions from journalists and friends.

— Rafael, this is getting out of control.

He nodded, his face grim.

"I need to resolve this, and fast."

Rafael picked up the phone and called an old contact at the Federal Police.

"Agent Silva? It's Rafael Valente."

"Rafael! Are you aware of what's going on?"

"Yes, and I'm catching the next flight to Brazil. I want to clear everything up in person."

"Don't worry, we won't send anyone after you. But be prepared, the media is expecting a sensational story."

"I'll handle it. I just want the truth to come out."

The Conversation with Gigi

After hanging up, Rafael sat down next to Gigi.

"I'm going to Brazil tomorrow."

"Alone?" Gigi asked, worried.

"Yes. This is my problem, Gigi. I don't want to involve you in this."

She shook her head, holding his hands.

"Rafael, you don't have to deal with this alone." I'm with you, no matter what happens.

He looked into her eyes, feeling her unconditional support.

— Thank you, but this is something I need to face. Trust me, I'll be back as soon as I get this sorted out.

Rafael spent the rest of the day organizing documents and making calls to old trusted colleagues in Brazil. He also packed a small suitcase with the essentials, making it clear that he didn't plan on staying long.

Meanwhile, Gigi used her social media to share a simple but powerful message: "The truth always prevails. I'm by Rafael's side."

The next day, Rafael arrived at the Los Angeles airport accompanied by Gigi. They said goodbye with a tight hug and a kiss full of silent promises.

— Come home soon, Rafael.

— I promise.

Upon landing in Rio de Janeiro, Rafael was greeted by journalists who shouted questions and took photos incessantly. He kept his composure, walking quickly out of the airport, where a car was waiting for him.

"Let's go straight to the main police station," Rafael told the driver, a longtime friend.

At the police station, Rafael was greeted by the officer in charge of the case.

"Valente, good to see you. You know this is all more media hype than a real case, right?"

"Yes, but I want to make sure this is closed once and for all. I won't let them tarnish my name or that of BOPE."

The officer nodded, showing the case documents.

"Everything is here, including the statements from the time. If you need, I can help organize a press conference to clarify everything."

Rafael breathed a sigh of relief. He knew he would have to face more challenges, but he was determined to prove his innocence and protect his reputation.

As night fell over Rio de Janeiro, Rafael looked out the hotel window, seeing the lights of the city that had so often been the stage for his life. He felt that he was about to close a turbulent chapter in his story.

Deep down, he knew that Gigi was waiting for him with open arms, ready to support him, no matter what the future brought. With that in mind, Rafael felt a renewed determination: he would clear his name, for himself and for those he loved.

Chapter 24 – The Truth Survives

The sun shone brightly in Rio de Janeiro, as if symbolizing the light of truth that was finally about to illuminate the confusion surrounding Rafael Valente's name. After weeks of intense investigations conducted by the Civil Police, the result was clear: the civilian who had died in the 2017 operation was hit by a bullet fired by drug traffickers, not by the BOPE team.

At the police station, the officer in charge gathered Rafael and some reporters for a press conference.

— After reanalyzing the case and using advanced ballistics technology, it was proven that the projectile that killed the civilian did not match the weapons used by the BOPE team in that operation.

The journalists, who had previously published sensationalist headlines, now looked uncomfortable, not knowing how to justify the persecution of the former police officer.

Rafael stood up, his expression calm, but his eyes filled with indignation.

— Any questions now? — he asked, facing the reporters in the room.

Silence was the only response.

After the press conference, Rafael went straight to his lawyer's office, where he had already started the lawsuit against the newspapers that accused him of murder without any concrete evidence.

— We're going to sue each and every one of them, doctor — Rafael said, his voice firm. — This isn't just about me. It's about the reputation of BOPE, the Armed Forces and all the police officers who sacrifice themselves every day for a country that often doesn't recognize that.

— We're taking care of it, Rafael. In addition to the retraction, we're going to demand robust compensation for moral damages.

A few days later, Rafael agreed to give an interview to the country's main television news program, this time with full control over his narrative. Dressed simply but with an imposing posture, he faced the presenter.

— Rafael, how do you feel after being acquitted? — asked the interviewer.

— Relieved, but not surprised. I knew the truth would prevail. What bothers me is how these newspapers acted, trying to manipulate the facts to create a spectacle instead of reporting the truth.

He paused, his expression hardening.

"I want to say something to these media organizations: you are no longer serving the truth. You are serving your own agendas, manipulating facts to get clicks and profits. You tried to tarnish my name, the honor of BOPE, and the sacrifice of my colleagues. You not only failed, but you exposed yourselves as accomplices in this manipulation."

The presenter tried to interrupt, but Rafael continued:

"And for those who doubt it: yes, I am from BOPE. Knife to the skull, always. This here"—he raised his arm, showing the tattoo of the BOPE emblem—"is not just a symbol. It is a life dedicated to the victory over death."

The interview ended with this impactful statement, and applause began to appear on social media almost instantly.

Rafael's speech went viral in a matter of hours. Thousands of police officers and military personnel began posting messages of support, sharing images of the BOPE emblem with the hashtag #FacaNaCaveira.

The BOPE's official Instagram profile itself posted a photo of Rafael during his time in service, accompanied by a message:

"A true warrior never runs away from a fight. Rafael Valente is and always will be one of our best operators. Faca na caveira!"

Several Brazilian and international celebrities also commented on the case, showing outrage at the way the media had treated Rafael. Gigi shared a video on her Instagram, saying:

"Rafael is an incredible man, with a fair heart. He faced situations that most of us can't even imagine and still keeps his honor intact. I'm proud of you, my love."

The strength of support for Rafael was not limited to Brazil. Former Israeli military personnel, with whom he had trained in the past, also posted messages of solidarity. An Israeli officer wrote:

"I know Rafael Valente. A man of honor, courage and truth. Justice has been served."

Days later, with the case closed and his innocence proven, Rafael returned to Los Angeles. Gigi greeted him at the airport with a tight hug.

"You did it, Rafael."

"I didn't expect anything else. But I have to admit... it was tiring."

Gigi cupped his face, smiling.

"Let's go home."

On the porch of his Los Angeles home, Rafael looked out at the horizon, his heart finally at peace. Gigi approached, handing him a glass of wine.

"You know, Rafael, I always knew you were a strong man. But seeing how you handled all of this only makes me admire you even more."

He smiled, pulling her close.

"Sometimes the world tries to bring us down, but the truth will always be our greatest weapon."

They toasted to the future, knowing that together they could face anything.

New stories in my Patreon

[email protected]/SHADOWGHOST07 

Just replace the @ with an a