Chapter 15: Chapter 31-32-33
Chapter 31 – A Trip to Rio de Janeiro
The morning in Los Angeles was bright when Rafael and Gigi started packing their bags for their next adventure. This time, the destination was special: Rio de Janeiro, Rafael's hometown. Gigi and Khai were excited, not only for the trip, but also because it was an opportunity to learn more about Rafael's past.
"So, are you ready to show us the best of Rio?" Gigi asked, folding clothes and putting them in the suitcase.
"Ready? Always," Rafael replied with a smile, helping Khai close her small backpack. "I want you to see the places that marked my life, and of course, some of my friends from BOPE."
"Friends from BOPE? Are they like you?" Gigi asked, curious.
"Worse," Rafael joked, winking at her.
"I can't wait!" Khai exclaimed excitedly, as she put on her headphones.
Upon landing at Galeão International Airport, the heat of Rio de Janeiro was the first thing Gigi noticed. It was a stark contrast to Los Angeles, but the blue skies and lush landscape made up for it.
Rafael had rented an SUV for the trip, and as he drove through the city's busy streets, he pointed out the places that had shaped his youth.
"That's Maracanã," he said, pointing to the stadium. "Where Brazilians come together to cheer for soccer."
"It's huge!" Gigi said, amazed.
"And over there, on that hill, is one of the favelas where I worked at BOPE. It wasn't easy, but we learned to deal with everything."
Gigi and Khai exchanged glances, intrigued by what Rafael had faced during his career.
Over the next few days, Rafael took Gigi and Khai to explore Rio. They walked along the Copacabana boardwalk, took pictures at Sugarloaf Mountain, and climbed the Christ the Redeemer statue, where Khai was amazed by the view.
"It's so beautiful up here!" she said, holding Rafael's hand.
"It's one of my favorite places," he replied.
Gigi watched Rafael as he explained the history of the monument to Khai. His connection to his city was evident, and it made her feel even closer to him.
One of the highlights of the trip was Rafael's reunion with his old BOPE comrades. He had arranged to have lunch at a traditional barbecue restaurant in Barra da Tijuca, and Gigi and Khai were eager to meet them.
When they arrived, Rafael was greeted with warm hugs and greetings.
"Brave! You're alive, man!" — said one of the men, laughing and patting him on the back.
"And who are these?" asked another, pointing at Gigi and Khai.
"My girlfriend, Gigi, and her daughter, Khai," Rafael replied proudly.
"Girlfriend? And you didn't tell me, you bastard!" joked a third, causing laughter.
The group was receptive and warm with Gigi and Khai. They shared stories of past missions, some funny and others more serious, but always with respect for what they had experienced together.
"So, Gigi, what's it like dating an ex-BOPE?" asked one of the friends, half-joking.
"Intense, but worth it," she replied, smiling at Rafael.
Rafael rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smile.
The next day, Rafael took Gigi and Khai on a special visit to the BOPE base, where he had spent years of his life. Dressed in a black shirt and jeans, Rafael looked at ease as he entered the environment he knew so well.
The officers on duty were surprised to see him.
"Captain Valente! I can't believe it!" one of them said, immediately saluting.
"You can relax, soldier. I'm just here as a visitor," Rafael replied, shaking the man's hand.
He showed Gigi and Khai around the base, explaining the rigorous training and equipment used.
"What does this symbol mean?" Khai asked, pointing to the skull-and-knife emblem on a wall.
"Victory over death," Rafael replied, his tone serious. "It means we're willing to face the impossible to protect people."
Gigi held his hand, feeling the depth of his words.
On his last night in Rio, Rafael organized a dinner at a restaurant overlooking Ipanema beach. It was a way of thanking Gigi and Khai for accompanying him on this journey of revisiting his past.
"Thank you for bringing us here," Gigi said, holding his hand across the table. "Now I understand who you are even more."
"And I'm grateful that you're with me," Rafael replied, looking at her fondly.
Khai, sitting next to them, smiled and said, "It was the best trip ever."
As the sun set over the horizon, Rafael felt a peace he hadn't felt in a long time. He was surrounded by the two most important people in his life, in his hometown, and everything felt exactly as it should be.
Chapter 32 – The Media Impact: Gigi Hadid and Khai in Brazil
When the first images of Gigi Hadid and her daughter Khai landing at Galeão International Airport began to circulate on social media, the news quickly gained traction. It was unusual to see an international supermodel in Brazil, and even more so accompanied by her daughter, Khai.
News portals, both national and international, soon began publishing articles about the trip. Sensationalist headlines quickly appeared:
"Gigi Hadid and daughter land in Brazil accompanied by the mysterious Rafael Valente!"
"What brought supermodel Gigi Hadid to Rio de Janeiro?"
"Family vacation or something more? Gigi Hadid and Rafael Valente spotted exploring Brazil!"
The clicks increased even more when photos of Gigi and Rafael on Copacabana beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer began to emerge. Paparazzi captured moments of relaxation between the family, such as Rafael carrying Khai on his shoulders or Gigi laughing alongside Rafael as they walked along the boardwalk.
On Instagram, the impact was immediate. Hashtags such as #GigiInBrazil, #RafaelValente, and #HadidFamilyVacation were among the most talked about topics.
A Brazilian user commented:
— "I never thought I would see Gigi Hadid in Rio! She looks amazing and with an even more amazing man!"
Another commented:
— "Who is this Rafael Valente? Does anyone know more about him? Because, look, what a presence this man has!"
Meanwhile, Gigi's international fans debated her relationship with Rafael.
— "I love how much fun she is having, but who is this guy? He is so mysterious!"
— "Rafael Valente? It seems like he has a military past in Brazil. Interesting!"
Rumors began to grow, especially after images of Rafael at the BOPE base began to circulate. Some showed Gigi and Khai being accompanied by police officers while Rafael talked to former colleagues.
Television programs in Brazil were not left out either. During prime time, Gigi and Rafael were the subject of discussions on gossip and entertainment programs.
— "This is the first time that a supermodel of Gigi Hadid's caliber has visited Brazil accompanied by a Brazilian boyfriend. Rafael Valente, according to our findings, is a former member of BOPE, which only increases the mystery surrounding him."
— "And from what we've seen, Rafael is presenting Rio de Janeiro in a very authentic way to Gigi and Khai. She seems to be loving the experience!"
Opinions were mixed. While some praised Rafael for showing his culture and history to Gigi and Khai, others criticized the family's exposure.
In the United States, the impact was equally significant. Gigi's friends, including Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, began discreetly sharing posts in support of her trip.
Kendall wrote on one of her Stories: "Exploring new cultures is always enriching! Happy for you, Gigi."
Hailey, in turn, commented: "The Hadid family in Brazil is everything! And this Rafael? He seems like an incredible man."
These comments only fueled the public's curiosity, and American portals began to investigate more about Rafael Valente. His connection to BOPE, his recent legal victory against Brazilian newspapers, and his life alongside Gigi created an irresistible narrative.
During the trip, Rafael was surprised by journalists as he left a restaurant with Gigi and Khai. Despite trying to avoid the spotlight, he ended up answering a few questions.
"Rafael, what can you tell us about Gigi's visit to Brazil?" asked a local journalist.
— "We are here to enjoy the culture and beauty of Rio. I want Gigi and Khai to experience the good parts of the place where I grew up."
— "Are you proud to show them your hometown?"
Rafael smiled, but answered cautiously:
— "I have always been proud of my country and my city. This is a unique opportunity to share this with them."
Gigi, next to him, added:
— "I am loving getting to know Brazil. Rafael is being an incredible guide, and Khai is having a great time."
Gigi and Khai's presence in Brazil was widely celebrated by Brazilians, who took to social media to welcome the model and her daughter.
— "Gigi Hadid in Brazil! I hope she tries feijoada and pão de queijo!"
— "This trip is a great opportunity to show the world the good side of our country."
Others, however, did not fail to comment on Gigi and Rafael's relationship.
— "Rafael Valente is lucky, you know? He's a real Brazilian heartthrob."
— "A former BOPE conquering Gigi Hadid? Only in Brazil!"
In an Instagram post, Gigi shared a photo of the trio at Christ the Redeemer with the caption:
"Exploring the heart of Brazil with my family."
The post immediately went viral, garnering millions of likes and comments from fans around the world.
Rafael, on the other hand, was more reserved, posting a discreet photo of Ipanema beach with the caption:
"Rio is home, and sharing this with those I love makes it all worth it."
On BOPE's official Instagram, a photo was shared showing Rafael visiting the base alongside his former colleagues. The caption read:
"Today we received a visit from former captain Rafael Valente, who brought his family to see our facilities. A warrior who always honored the symbol of the knife in the skull."
In the comments, police officers and military personnel from all over Brazil expressed their support:
— "Proud to see one of our own representing Brazil!"
— "Knife in the skull, Valente! Congratulations on all that you have accomplished."
The trip to Brazil not only strengthened the bonds between Rafael, Gigi and Khai, but also put Rafael in the spotlight on the international stage. He became a symbol of resilience and Brazilian pride, while his relationship with Gigi continued to captivate the world.
For Rafael, the experience of sharing his roots with the people he loved was beyond special. And for Gigi and Khai, this trip was an opportunity to connect with the history and culture of the man who had become an integral part of their lives.
Chapter 33 – A Special Night
The sun was slowly setting over Rio de Janeiro, painting the sky with orange and gold hues. Rafael and Gigi had spent the day exploring the city with Khai, but now it was time for some alone time.
With Khai safe and sound with a trustworthy babysitter, they headed back to the hotel where they were staying. Gigi looked out over the balcony of her suite and sighed at the stunning view of Sugarloaf Mountain illuminated by the twilight.
"Rio is magical at night," she commented, still absorbed in the landscape.
Rafael stood behind her, silent. He had changed from the jeans and T-shirt he had worn during the day to a white linen shirt that left the top few buttons open, revealing part of his tattoo of the archangel Michael. His eyes watched Gigi with admiration.
"Yeah," he replied, but his attention was completely on her. "But you make any place even more special."
Gigi turned to him and smiled, a smile that made his heart race.
— "You're always so direct, Valente. You're charming, but you don't give me a chance to respond in kind." He took a step toward her, his eyes meeting hers.
— "No need. Your expressions say it all." She laughed softly, looking away for a moment, as if trying to contain what she was feeling.
— "You make me feel..." she began, but hesitated.
— "Feel what?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
— "Safe. Complete."
Rafael reached out and gently touched her face. — "You are all that on your own, Gigi. I'm just lucky to be by your side."
After a relaxing bath, Gigi got ready for the dinner Rafael had planned. He invited her to eat on the hotel balcony, under the stars. When she came out of the room, wearing a simple but elegant black dress, Rafael was already waiting, putting together the final details.
At the table, a carefully prepared dinner awaited them, with dishes that blended Brazilian cuisine with international touches. The evening breeze carried the scent of flowers and the distant sound of waves crashing on the beach.
Rafael looked up and saw her. For a moment, he was speechless.
"You look beautiful," he said, coming over to pull out her chair for her.
"You're the one who looks beautiful," she replied, sitting down and watching him with admiration.
They talked over dinner about everything: the trip, Khai, what else Rafael wanted to show them about Brazil. He shared stories of his childhood in Rio, how his life changed when he joined the army, and his transition to BOPE.
"I didn't know if I could leave it all behind," he confessed, looking out at the horizon. "But then you showed up. And now it all seems to make sense."
Gigi held his hand across the table.
— "Rafael, I don't know how I got to you, but I can't imagine my life without you now."
After dinner, Rafael asked her to dance. Soft music played in the background, something he had specially selected. He led her gently, moving to the beat of the music, while the city lights sparkled in the distance.
Gigi tilted her head back, laughing as he gave her an elegant twirl.
"You dance too well for someone so serious," she teased.
"I have a few surprises in store," he replied, pulling her back close.
They stayed there for a while, lost in each other, until Rafael kissed her. It was a deep kiss, full of passion and tenderness, as if everything he felt was contained in that single gesture.
Gigi responded, cupping his face, feeling the intensity of the moment.
"Let's go inside," she said softly, and he followed her without hesitation.
When they got to the bedroom, the atmosphere changed. It was intimate, charged with emotion. Rafael looked at Gigi, studying every detail of her face as if he wanted to memorize that moment.
— "Are you sure?" — he asked, his voice a whisper.
— "I've never been so sure of anything in my life," — she answered, touching his chest.
The rest of the night was a mix of passion and delicacy. Rafael was attentive, respectful, but intense. He made her feel like she was the only person in the world. For Gigi, it was more than a physical connection; it was a moment of surrender, something she knew she would never forget.
Afterwards, they lay together, with Gigi nestled against Rafael's chest.
— "I feel so at peace with you," — she said, looking at him.
— "And I feel complete with you," — he answered, kissing her forehead.
The next morning, Gigi woke up alone in bed. For a moment she felt confused, but then she saw Rafael on the balcony, shirtless, looking out at the horizon. The sunlight touched his tanned skin, highlighting the tattoo of the archangel Michael on his back.
She took out her cell phone and, without him noticing, took a picture. The image was perfect: he looked strong, thoughtful, like a guardian watching the world.
— "Are you spying on me?" he asked, without turning around.
She laughed.
— "You looked so beautiful that I couldn't resist."
Rafael looked at her, with a soft smile.
— "Come here," he said, holding out his hand.
Gigi walked over to him and hugged him from behind, resting her head on his back.
— "I couldn't ask for a more perfect night," she murmured.
Rafael held her hands.
— "This was just the first of many."
Together, they stood there, watching the sun rise over Rio de Janeiro, knowing that this moment was the beginning of something even more special.
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