Little gift for you
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Chapter 64: The Publishing Process
In early February, the questions from people on the internet began to intensify. Each day, more and more people on Mike's social media wanted to know the same thing: "When will the book be released?" The excitement from his fans and followers was palpable, especially after the announcement he had made the previous month about writing his story.
Aware of the growing curiosity, Mike decided it was time to answer the questions. He grabbed his phone, opened Instagram, and recorded a short, direct video for his followers.
In the video, Mike is seen sitting in his office, with a smile on his face. He begins by saying:
"I have been receiving a lot of messages and questions about the release of my book, and I wanted to clarify the process for you. Writing my story has been an exciting journey, but as many of you know, due to my career in the DEVGRU, there are certain protocols that I need to follow before publishing anything."
He pauses for a second before continuing:
"Before I can release the book, I need to submit it to the State Department and the Department of Defense for review. They need to ensure that there is no classified or sensitive information that could compromise the security of missions or active operators. I have always been committed to protecting my teammates and our country's secrets, so this part is essential."
He smiles again and says:
"I believe that if all goes as planned, the book will be published in August. I am working hard to ensure that it provides an honest look at my life and missions, without compromising security. Stay tuned. It will be worth the wait."
Mike ends the video with a wink and, after posting, quickly sees the comments exploding with support and expectations.
The video quickly went viral among his followers and the media. The public understood the reason for the delay and many became even more curious about the content of the book. Speculation began:
"Will he talk about the most secret operations?"
"I want to know about the DEVGRU missions!"
"Will he address that dark time in his life?"
The hashtag #MikeBaldwinBook began to circulate online, with thousands of fans expressing their excitement for the August release.
News sites and blogs covering entertainment and military topics also began reporting on the video, highlighting Mike's transparency about the review process.
"Michael Baldwin reveals his book is in the Defense Department's review phase, with an August release date." — People Magazine
"Former SEAL Michael Baldwin follows security protocols while writing his story, with an August publication date." — Military Times
Online comments ranged from curiosity to speculation, with many suggesting the book would provide unprecedented insights into the elite operations of the U.S. Special Forces. Some fans questioned what the Defense Department might ask to be removed from the book, while others were more interested in the personal and emotional stories Mike might share.
Among his closest friends, the support was immediate. Justin and Hailey commented on the post:
"Can't wait to read this, cousin. 💪" — Justin
"It's going to be amazing. Proud of you! 🧡" — Hailey
Kendall, who was growing closer to Mike, sent a private message of support:
"You're doing something important. And August is right around the corner, it'll fly by. If you need someone to read drafts, I'm here 😉."
Mike laughed as he read the message, feeling more motivated than ever to finish the book in the best possible way.
Over the next few days, Mike dedicated himself even more to the writing process and preparing to submit the manuscript for review. He knew that every word needed to be carefully chosen, not only to protect the security of the operations, but also to ensure that his message was clear and honest.
The book would not only be about his missions, but also about his personal journey the internal struggles he faced, the trauma, the resilience, and the transition from military to civilian life. He wanted it to be an inspiring read for everyone, especially those who had gone through tough times like he had.
With August on the horizon, Mike was determined to deliver something that would resonate with not only his followers and fans, but also veterans, active duty military, and anyone looking for a story of resilience and resilience.
Chapter 65: Kendall and Mike's Workout
It was a sunny morning in Los Angeles, and Mike and Kendall had decided to start the day with a workout at the gym. It was something they already enjoyed doing together, a way to connect and release tension. In addition, they both shared a passion for physical exercise and a healthy lifestyle routine.
When they arrived at the gym, Mike was wearing a tank top that highlighted his defined muscles, the result of years of intense physical training as a SEAL. His body was a combination of strength and endurance, something that drew attention wherever he went. He also wore comfortable workout shorts, ready for another intense session.
Kendall, on the other hand, was wearing black leggings and a sports bra that highlighted her slim and elegant figure. Even though she was a supermodel, she never stopped working out, and she loved the feeling of sweating and challenging herself alongside Mike.
The workout began with them in the free weights area. Mike, lifting large amounts of weight with ease, caught the attention of several women in the gym. Kendall, initially focused on her own workout, noticed the stares, and soon her discomfort grew.
Women around her whispered among themselves, some even pretended to approach machines near where Mike was, just to observe him more closely. He, in turn, was focused, not paying much attention to what was happening around him.
As the workout continued, Kendall began to feel jealousy forming. She knew Mike was attractive and that people looked at him, but his blatant flirting was starting to bother her. When a woman walked by Mike and gave him an overly provocative look, Kendall felt her blood boil.
While they rested between sets, Mike noticed Kendall's slightly distant gaze and the slightly irritated expression on her face. He smiled, realizing what was happening, and approached her, gently touching her arm.
"Is everything okay?" He asked, with an amused tone, already knowing what was happening.
Kendall sighed, crossing her arms. "These women can't stop looking at you. It's like, ridiculous."
Mike laughed, moving closer to her. "They can look all they want, but I only have eyes for you." He said with a serious tone, but with a playful smile.
Kendall looked at him with a mixture of relief and satisfaction. She knew that Mike was honest and that, despite all the attention, he was with her and only her.
"You don't have to be jealous," he continued, bringing her face closer to his, with a teasing expression. "Because I think you're the hottest woman in the gym."
Before Kendall could react, Mike, in a quick and unexpected moment, gave her butt a little squeeze, followed by a light slap. She opened her eyes in surprise, but soon laughed, feeling the heat rise in her face.
"Mike!" She exclaimed, still laughing. "You're terrible!"
He just shrugged with a mischievous smile. "Just being honest."
After that relaxed moment, the mood between the two became even lighter. Kendall no longer cared about the looks, and the focus returned to the intense workout they were doing together. Each one supported the other in the weight sets, with Mike offering tips and adjusting Kendall's posture, while she motivated him to keep going.
They spent the rest of the morning laughing and training hard, and the bond between them seemed to grow even stronger. No matter how many looks Mike attracted, he made it clear to Kendall that she was the only person on his mind.
As they walked out of the gym, Kendall wrapped her arms around his waist, still smiling as he pulled her closer, both in sync, ready to face the rest of the day together.
Chapter 66: Media Reactions to Mike and Kendall's Video
The internet was quick to react when, just a few hours after Mike and Kendall's workout at the gym, a video recorded by one of the gym's regulars began circulating on social media. In the video, Mike appears to be giving Kendall a light squeeze and a slap on her butt, followed by laughter and a relaxed atmosphere between the two.
The recording was made discreetly, but it captured the moment clearly enough that no one would have any doubts about who the stars of the video were.
Once the video hit the tabloids and gossip pages, it didn't take long for it to go viral. Headlines and social media posts were flooded with comments about Mike and Kendall's relationship, which had not yet been publicly confirmed. It was the perfect fuel for a wave of speculation, and people wanted more details.
"Kendall Jenner and Mike Baldwin CONFIRM their romance with a loving gesture at the gym!"
"Video shows Mike Baldwin giving Kendall Jenner a squeeze on her butt. Hottest couple of the moment?"
"Who wouldn't want to be in Kendall's place? Mike Baldwin in a daring moment with the supermodel!"
The buzz spread quickly. Social media, especially Twitter and Instagram, exploded with thousands of comments from fans and curious onlookers. Most of the women in the comments couldn't hide their envy:
"Guys, I would give anything to be in Kendall's place right now! How lucky she is!"
"Kendall is a lucky woman. Look at this Mike, who wouldn't want a man like that?"
"Mike Baldwin slapping Kendall's butt? Relationship goals!"
Several celebrity fan pages began reposting the video, and the comments kept coming. Many praised the couple for their obvious chemistry and the relaxed atmosphere they displayed. Others expressed how much they wished they were in Kendall's place:
"This man is a dream! I envy Kendall in this video! 😍"
"Oh my God, Mike Baldwin and Kendall Jenner are official, and I just wish I was in her place receiving this slap 😂🔥"
Some comments were even more direct:
"Mike Baldwin is the boyfriend everyone wants! I don't judge Kendall, if I were her, I would be having fun too!"
"That slap was respectful. The girls at the gym must have gone crazy."
Kendall and Mike's most dedicated fans also joined in the conversation, supporting the couple and highlighting how happy they seemed together. Many were excited to see the relationship between the two become public in such a spontaneous way:
"Finally! It was about time they confirmed this perfect couple."
"Kendall and Mike are the sexiest couple of 2024, no one will ever top them."
The comments were filled with heart, flame, and applause emojis. It seemed that fans and the media were more than ready to embrace Mike and Kendall's relationship, which had been kept relatively low-key until then.
With the video going viral, Mike's Instagram following skyrocketed. Fans new and old rushed to see more of his life and, who knows, some official confirmation of the relationship. Kendall, on the other hand, kept a low profile, posting only about her work, but the video had already said everything the public needed to know.
Mike and Kendall, now officially the most talked-about couple of the moment, had the spotlight on them more than ever. Their relationship was officially in the public eye, and the media was already speculating about how they would handle this new, highly public and highly anticipated phase.
At the end of the day, both Mike and Kendall had yet to make any official statements about the video, but they knew that now, more than ever, all eyes were on them.
Chapter 67: Confirming Love
After the explosion on social media and the inevitable repercussion of the video at the gym, Kendall and Mike knew they no longer had any reason to hide what everyone already knew. They were officially together. They decided it was time to confirm their relationship, since, even unintentionally, they were exposed in a way that left little doubt in the air.
The morning after the video was released, Mike woke up with his phone full of notifications. Messages from friends, news popping up everywhere, and comments from fans. Kendall, next to him in bed, was calm, as if she was already used to the frenzy that accompanied every step of her public life.
"I guess we can't escape now," Mike said, smiling as he showed Kendall the screen of his phone.
She looked at him, with a sparkle in her eyes, and said:
"Let's do this our way then."
A few hours later, Kendall posted a simple and direct photo on her Instagram. It was a selfie of her and Mike, lying in bed, smiling and clearly comfortable with each other. Mike was shirtless, while Kendall was wearing only a tank top. In the caption, she wrote:
"Yes, we are together. 💛"
Mike reposted the photo, with the short caption: "Me and her. ❤️"
As soon as the post went live, the internet went into meltdown. Thousands of comments immediately began to appear, celebrating the couple. Fans of both flooded social media with support, heart emojis and messages of affection.
With the announcement made and the world now aware of their relationship, Mike and Kendall decided to spend the day together, away from the spotlight, enjoying each other's company. At Kendall's house, they disconnected from the virtual chaos and focused on enjoying the moment.
"It's good to know that we don't have to worry about what others will think anymore," Kendall said, hugging Mike on the living room couch.
— Exactly. Now it's just the two of us, without hiding anything — he replied, before leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips.
The kiss was long, intense, and full of meaning. They knew that from that moment on, their relationship would be the center of attention, but there, in the intimate space of Kendall's house, nothing else mattered but them.
After the kiss, the two went to the bathroom. The atmosphere between them was light and intimate. They took a shower together, with Mike's hands gently sliding down Kendall's back, while she smiled, feeling safe and loved in his arms. They laughed and played in the water, as if the world outside didn't exist.
"It can't get any better," Kendall commented, resting her head on Mike's chest, while the warm water fell over them.
"I think it can," Mike replied, pulling her into a more passionate kiss.
After the bath, still laughing and kissing, they went to the bedroom, where they lay down on the bed, wrapped in soft blankets. The tiredness of the day and the emotions experienced overcame them, and they fell asleep together, their bodies intertwined.
While they enjoyed the intimacy and rest, social media was in full swing. Kendall and Mike's posts confirming their relationship received millions of likes in just a few hours, with celebrities and friends commenting:
"Finally, the couple we've been shipping for ages! ❤️" — wrote Hailey, Mike's cousin.
"You two are perfect together, I love seeing how happy you are!" — commented Gigi Hadid.
Fans also reacted with euphoria:
"I knew it!!! They are the perfect match, all that was left was to confirm it!"
"Mike and Kendall are such a great couple, I'm in love with this romance."
The media quickly picked up on the news and began speculating about the couple's future. Would they be Hollywood's new "power couple"? What would their relationship be like in the public eye?
But at that moment, Kendall and Mike didn't care about any of that. All they cared about was that they could finally be themselves, without worrying about what the world thought.
When they woke up late that afternoon, Mike looked at Kendall with a smile on his face. He knew that with her, he was entering a new chapter in his life—one that didn't involve secret missions or dangerous operations, but rather the kind of partnership and connection he had never experienced before.
"I think we're ready for this new phase," he said, caressing her face.
"I think so," Kendall replied, smiling.
They didn't know what the future held, but they were ready to face it together.
Chapter 68: An Emotional Movie Night
It was a quiet night in February. Kendall, Mike, Gigi, Bella, Justin and Hailey were gathered at Kendall's house to watch a movie. They decided it would be a quieter night, perfect to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of their public lives and relax among friends. Mike suggested they watch "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi", a movie based on real events that always stirred their emotions.
"Get ready, because this movie is intense," Mike said as he grabbed some snacks and settled into the couch next to Kendall.
"I've heard a lot about this movie, but I've never seen it," Hailey commented, snuggled up next to Justin.
"It's going to be an emotional experience. I remember what it was like to follow this event on the news," Gigi added, while Bella nodded in agreement.
As soon as the movie started, the group fell silent. The intensity of the narrative quickly captured everyone's attention. They watched the tense scenes in silence, feeling the weight of responsibility and sacrifices made by the operators who had been in Benghazi to protect lives.
For Mike, the film had an extra level of resonance. Although he had not been on that particular mission, he knew all too well what it was like to be in hostile territory, far from home, facing constant danger and dealing with the uncertainty of who would come back alive.
"These types of operations are always tense… anything can go wrong in a second," he murmured at one point, as Kendall squeezed his hand in support.
As the film drew to a close, everyone in the group was deeply immersed in the story. The final scene, in which Jack Silva called his wife to give her the devastating news that his best friend, Roone, would not be coming home, was especially difficult to watch.
"Roone is not coming home," Jack said, his voice breaking, as his wife on the other end of the line fought back tears.
The sentence echoed through the room, and a heavy silence fell. Hailey put her hand to her mouth, visibly moved, while Gigi and Bella seemed to struggle not to cry. Justin, always sensitive to emotional stories, narrowed his eyes, clearly touched by the pain that the scene conveyed.
"Man... this is heartbreaking," Justin murmured, as he hugged Hailey.
Mike, on the other hand, was silent. The scene brought up memories that he kept locked away in the back of his mind. The loss of friends on the battlefield was a pain he knew well, and seeing it portrayed in such a raw and realistic way touched him deeply. Kendall, realizing how much the moment affected him, squeezed his hand once more, offering him the silent comfort he needed.
"I don't know how you guys deal with this," Kendall said quietly, looking at Mike.
"The truth is, you never completely deal with it. You just learn to live with it," he replied, with a distant look in his eyes.
When the movie ended, no one spoke for a few minutes. It was as if everyone needed a moment to process what they had just seen.
"That was... heavy," Gigi finally broke the silence, wiping a single tear that was running down her face.
"Very," Bella agreed. "I don't think I'll ever understand what you guys go through, Mike."
Mike gave a sad but genuine smile.
"The truth is, no matter how hard movies try to show you, they can never capture everything. But this one… this one came close."
Hailey, always sensitive to Mike's emotions, came over to give him a hug.
"I'm so proud of you. Not only for everything you've done, but for being here with us now, after everything," she said with an emotional smile.
"Thank you, little cousin," he replied, hugging her back.
"Now I understand why you found 'Act of Valor' funny. Compared to this…" Justin began, but soon stopped, nodding in understanding.
— Every movie tries to tell its own story, but few manage to capture the true intensity of being there — Mike reflected. — But the important thing is that stories like this are told, so that people understand the sacrifice that many make without ever asking for anything in return.
The night ended more calmly. Everyone talked a little more about the impact of the film and what it meant to live in that kind of reality. Kendall, seeing how thoughtful Mike was, suggested that they leave early, and he agreed.
When they were alone, Kendall looked at Mike, noticing that he was still processing the emotions that the film had awakened.
"I'm here for you, always," she said softly.
Mike smiled, pulling her into a hug.
"I know. And that's all I need right now."
Chapter 69: A Special Lunch at Kris Jenner's House
It was a sunny day in February when Mike and Kendall were preparing for a special lunch at Kris Jenner's house. This would not be a casual meeting. This was the first time that Mike would be officially introduced as Kendall's boyfriend to the entire Kardashian-Jenner family, in a more intimate event. Although he had met some members before, the family dynamic was always a different experience, and Mike was eager to connect more deeply with his girlfriend's family.
"It'll be easy," Kendall said, noticing Mike's slight nervousness. "They already love you."
Mike smiled, wrapping his arm around Kendall's waist as he looked at her fondly.
"I hope I don't knock anything over or make the kids cry," he joked, trying to ease the tension.
"The kids will love you, you'll see," Kendall replied, laughing.
When they arrived at Kris Jenner's imposing home, they were warmly greeted by Kris and the other Kardashian-Jenner sisters who were present: Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Kylie. Each of them hugged Mike, showing affection and acceptance.
"We finally officially met you!" Khloe exclaimed, smiling as she greeted Mike. "Kendall has always been so private, but we knew you were the one for her."
Kim agreed, adding:
"It's good to see Kendall so happy. You're doing something right, Mike."
As everyone settled into the large backyard, where an elegant table was set, Mike began to feel more at ease. Kendall's sisters were clearly happy for her, exchanging knowing glances and smiles. The light, family-like energy quickly made him relax.
The highlight of the lunch was when the children started running around the backyard. Kim, Kourtney and Kylie's children were there, playing and exploring the environment. It was then that Stormi and Aire, Kylie's children, approached Mike, curious and full of energy.
"Hi, are you my aunt Kendall's boyfriend?" Stormi asked with her big eyes shining, clearly curious.
"Yes, it's me. And you're Stormi, right?" Mike said, bending down to her level, with a genuine smile.
She nodded, while Aire, still small, approached and stretched out his little arms to Mike. Without hesitation, Mike picked Aire up, which immediately delighted Kylie, who was watching closely.
"He's already winning over even the youngest ones," Kylie commented to Kendall, smiling.
Stormi, in turn, pulled Mike by the hand, leading him to where there were some toys. He bent down to play with her, completely immersing himself in the child's imagination. It was an adorable sight: the big, muscular former special forces operator patiently playing with the little ones, while laughing and chatting with them as if it were something natural for him.
"He's great with kids," Kourtney commented to her sisters, who were watching from afar. Khloe agreed with a smile.
"Yeah, Kendall definitely found someone special," Kim added, looking at her younger sister with pride.
The lunch was relaxed, filled with lively conversation and laughter. Mike got along well with everyone, calmly and humorously answering the Kardashian sisters' curious questions. They were interested in learning more about his career, his plans and, of course, how he was dealing with all the media attention since he and Kendall announced their relationship.
"It's not easy, but I know that being with Kendall is what really matters," Mike replied to Kim, who asked how he was dealing with his sudden fame.
Kris Jenner, ever the observant and protective mother, also showed her welcoming side, offering advice and even making jokes about public life and media attention.
"Welcome to the circus, honey," she said, laughing. "You'll get used to it, trust me."
By the end of the day, Mike had fully integrated into the family dynamic. He played ball with some of the kids, helped serve dessert, and of course, continued to exchange knowing glances and smiles with Kendall throughout lunch.
When they finally said goodbye, Kris, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, and Kylie made sure he knew he was always welcome.
"Don't worry, Mike. You're family now," Kris said with a warm smile.
As they left, Kendall looked at Mike and beamed.
"See? I told you it would be easy."
"Too easy," Mike joked, laughing. "But it was amazing. Your family is amazing."
"And they love you," Kendall replied, intertwining her fingers with his.
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