The Former BOPE Police Oficcer

Chapter 1 - A New Beginning in New York

Rafael Valente always knew that the life of a special forces operator would be short but intense. At 30 years old, his career already included more challenges than most would experience in several lifetimes.

After years of facing the worst of humanity as a DCT operator specializing in counterterrorism, and then as a BOPE police officer in Rio de Janeiro, he decided it was time to slow down. New York seemed like the perfect place to start over, but Rafael would soon discover that the city had an energy all its own, impossible to ignore.

It was an autumn morning. The reddish leaves covered the streets as Rafael walked through Central Park, dressed casually in dark jeans, leather boots and a black jacket. His 1.85m height and muscular build naturally drew attention, but he was used to it. He had always enjoyed observing, a skill cultivated over years of operations and investigations. New York was fascinating, every corner seemed to tell a story.

As he approached a coffee stand, Rafael heard familiar voices, although he didn't recognize where they were coming from. He grabbed his coffee and went to a nearby bench. It wasn't long before he noticed a small group of people taking pictures and whispering excitedly.

Curious, he looked in the direction they were pointing and saw a familiar figure: Keanu Reeves, walking calmly with a dog.

Rafael smiled. It wasn't every day that you came across a celebrity. But for him, that was secondary. What really intrigued him was how New York seemed alive in every detail. He was still lost in his thoughts when a female voice next to him interrupted him.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" said the woman, holding a cell phone. "They say that in New York you can run into anyone at any time. Yesterday, I ran into Chris Evans in a coffee shop."

Rafael turned his head. The woman was young, maybe 25, and had a relaxed smile.

"It seems like the city has this magic," he replied, with his slight Brazilian accent. — But I confess that I didn't come for that.

— Oh, no? So what brought you here? — she asked curiously.

— A new beginning, perhaps. I spent a lot of time in a different rhythm of life. Here, I want to slow down. — He took a sip of coffee before continuing. — And you?

— I'm a photographer. There's always something to capture here. But honestly, I'm surprised by your English. Brazilian, right?

Rafael nodded.

— Yes, but English was a necessity. I spent a lot of time training and working abroad. Besides, I also speak Spanish and Hebrew.

— Hebrew? That's new. — She laughed, but there was admiration in her voice. — My name is Emma, ​​by the way.

— Rafael. — He reached out and shook her hand, firmly but cordially.

As they talked, Rafael couldn't help but notice the small details of their interaction. Emma seemed at ease, but he also noticed that she was analyzing everything around her, a common trait among observant people.

After the conversation in the park, Rafael decided to explore the city further. He walked through the busy streets, observing shop windows, street musicians and the organized chaos that made New York so unique.

He entered a bookstore in Soho, a quiet place in contrast to the noise outside. While leafing through a book on military history, he heard another familiar voice.

"Interesting choice. Are you also a fan of military tactics?"

Rafael looked up and saw a man with a friendly smile. His face was familiar, but it took him a few seconds to recognize him: it was Mark Ruffalo.

"It seems that New York has a magnetism for unexpected encounters," Rafael commented, putting the book back on the shelf.

Mark laughed, clearly at ease with the comment.

"And you?" the actor asked. "It seems that there is some story behind this interest."

"Let's just say that it is more experience than interest," Rafael replied enigmatically.

Mark raised an eyebrow, curious, but respected Rafael's reserved tone.

"Well, enjoy the city. It always has something to offer."

With a wave, Mark left the bookstore, leaving Rafael alone with his thoughts once again. New York was proving to be more interesting than he had imagined.

That evening, Rafael went to a rooftop bar that Emma had recommended. The view was spectacular. The city lights shone like stars and the distant sounds of urban life created a unique soundtrack. He ordered a whiskey and leaned against the bar, watching the skyline.

"So, are you new to the city?" the bartender asked, placing the glass in front of him.

"Yes, I just got here. I'm getting used to the pace here."

"It seems like you've already adapted well." The bartender pointed to his watch. "New York is a city that never stops. You're going to love it."

As Rafael sipped his drink, he reflected on what he had been looking for. New York offered freedom and anonymity, but also new opportunities. He knew he couldn't avoid action for long.

After all, a warrior always seeks purpose, even in times of peace. Suddenly, he overheard a conversation nearby. Two men were discussing investments, and one of them mentioned an exclusive event on technology and artificial intelligence that was scheduled for the following week.

Rafael, who had always been good at investing, was interested. Being rich gave him the advantage of exploring new areas, and he was determined to make his presence in the city worthwhile.

On his way home, Rafael passed a graffiti mural with the image of the Archangel Michael, similar to the tattoo he had on his back. He paused for a moment, reflecting on the symbolism. The archangel had always been a reminder of his struggles, but also of his inner strength. New York was now his new mission, and he was just getting started.

Chapter 2 - The Unexpected Encounter

It was a typical day in New York: heavy traffic, crowded streets and an unmistakable energy that made Rafael feel like something new could happen at any moment. He walked down Fifth Avenue, distracted by the city's vibrancy. The sun was beginning to set, dyeing the skyscrapers golden, and he took the opportunity to observe the movement.

While waiting to cross a street, he noticed a small commotion on the other side. A man was running quickly, while a tall, elegantly dressed blonde woman was screaming for help.

"He took my bag!" the woman shouted, clearly desperate.

Without thinking twice, Rafael sprang into action. He crossed the street in a few long strides, dodging the honking cars. The thief, realizing he was being chased, tried to speed up, but Rafael was much faster. With years of military and police training, intercepting someone like that was almost instinctive.

"Freeze!" — Rafael shouted, his voice firm and leaving no room for argument.

The thief tried to escape, but Rafael knocked him down with a precise blow, pinning him to the ground. The people around applauded as he picked up the bag and returned it to the woman.

"Here it is." Rafael handed over the bag, not paying much attention to her appearance, focused on making sure everything was okay.

The woman was stunned, but not only by the recovery of the bag. Rafael, with his imposing posture and air of calm, seemed to have stepped out of an action movie.

"Oh my God, thank you so much!" she said, catching her breath. "You have no idea how much this means to me. My name is Gigi... Gigi Hadid."

She looked at him, hoping the name would make some impact. But Rafael only responded in a neutral tone:

"Nice to meet you, Rafael. Take better care of your things next time." Before she could say anything else, Rafael started to walk away, as if that had been just another incident in his daily life.

"Wait!" she said, running after him. "Aren't you even going to let me thank you?"

Rafael turned around, slightly impatient, but he remained polite.

"You already thanked me. Everything's fine now."

"No, that's not enough." Gigi crossed her arms, determined. "Let me at least buy you a coffee. It's the least I can do."

Rafael hesitated for a moment. He didn't like attention, and his life had always been guided by discretion. But her insistence made him give in.

"Okay. A coffee, then."

The two of them entered a charming coffee shop a few blocks away. The atmosphere was cozy, with yellow lights, rustic wooden furniture, and a delicious aroma of fresh coffee. They chose a table in the corner, away from the hustle and bustle.

"What would you like?" Gigi asked, as she picked up the menu.

— Just a black coffee, no sugar. — Rafael answered, straightforward.

She laughed, surprised by his simplicity.

— Something tells me you're not the type to complicate things.

— I just like the basics. — He shrugged.

After they ordered, Gigi watched Rafael for a moment. He seemed completely oblivious to the tension her presence usually caused in people. That intrigued her.

— So, Rafael, tell me about yourself. What do you do for a living? — she asked, trying to start a conversation.

— Right now, nothing. I'm retired. — He answered, without going into details.

— Retired? At this age? — Gigi raised her eyebrows. — You don't look a day over 30.

— I'm 30. — He took a sip of the coffee that had just arrived. — But my career was intense enough to make me retire early.

— And what did you do? — She asked, curious.

— Nothing that I can detail. — Rafael replied, with a slight smile. — And you? What do you do?

She laughed, amused by the reversal. She was used to being recognized immediately, but Rafael seemed genuinely oblivious.

— I'm a model. Have you heard of Victoria's Secret? Or maybe some high-fashion brands?

— No, I don't follow fashion. — He answered honestly.

Gigi was visibly surprised. It was rare to meet someone who didn't know who she was. Usually, people treated her with deference or excessive enthusiasm. But Rafael seemed... normal. He wasn't impressed, and that intrigued her.

— Wow. That's new. — She smiled. — I don't think I've ever met someone who didn't know anything about me.

— It's nothing personal. I just don't follow that world. — He said, in a calm tone. — But it seems like you're good at what you do.

— Thanks, I guess. — She laughed again, finding his behavior refreshing.

The two continued talking. Gigi talked about her life in New York, her fashion shows and the constant pressure of being in the spotlight. Rafael listened attentively, but without judgment or invasive questions. He seemed more interested in the person than in the fame.

"It must be tiring to be recognized all the time," he commented, in a rare moment of empathy.

"You have no idea. Sometimes, I miss being just... me, you know? — Gigi sighed. — And you? Don't you miss what you used to do?

— Sometimes. — He admitted. — But everything has its time. Now I'm focused on something else: enjoying life at my own pace.

She smiled, admiring the simplicity in his answer. It was rare to find someone so focused.

When they finished their coffee, Gigi insisted on paying, despite Rafael's resistance.

— Don't argue with me. It was my idea, remember? — She joked.

— Okay, but just this once. — He replied, accepting with a nod.

Before they said goodbye, Gigi seemed hesitant, as if she wanted to say something more.

— Rafael, it was really nice to meet you. Really. — She said, looking him straight in the eyes. — People like you are rare.

— I say the same about you. — He replied, sincerely.

They shook hands, but Rafael could feel that there was something more in that gesture. As he walked away, Gigi stood in the doorway of the coffee shop, watching him disappear down the street.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had met someone who saw beyond her fame, someone who treated her like just another person.

And for Rafael, the night was just further proof that New York was full of unexpected surprises.

Chapter 3 - Intrigue and Curiosity

The next morning, as the sun lit up Gigi Hadid's modern Manhattan loft, she found herself lost in thought. Her coffee with Rafael was still fresh in her mind. Rarely in her life had she met someone so intriguing and yet so disconnected from the world she lived in.

As she sipped a smoothie and flipped through the fashion magazines spread out on the counter, her mind kept returning to Rafael's reserved manner, his impeccable posture, and the way he seemed to carry something in his eyes, as if every silence told a story he wasn't willing to share.

"Rafael..." she muttered to herself, biting her straw.

He hadn't said much about himself, but she remembered small details: the accent that betrayed his foreign roots, the features of a man who clearly had discipline and training.

"Military," she thought. "Maybe from some Latin American country. Brazil, maybe?"

But what disconcerted her the most was how comfortable she had felt with him. There were no expectations, no flattery. He was, above all, real. And handsome, very handsome. Gigi blushed slightly as she remembered how his eyes seemed to pierce through her carefully constructed facade. There was something more there, something she wanted to discover.

After a moment, Gigi picked up her phone and opened the search app. All it had was his name: Rafael Valente. Luckily, he had mentioned his last name at the café. She typed the name into the Instagram search bar.

"Let's see what we find…"

The list of results was long, but she scrolled until she found a profile that seemed to fit: @RafaelValente. The profile picture was simple, just a male silhouette from behind, looking out at a mountainous landscape. The bio was equally minimalist:

🇧🇷 Brazil ➡️ 🗽 New York

Living with purpose.

Gigi bit her lip, intrigued. The profile was private, and that only added to the mystery.

"Of course it would be private…" she muttered, chuckling to herself.

She hesitated for a moment. She didn't want to seem nosy, but her curiosity was peaking. After all, it was rare for someone to capture her attention like that. Gathering her courage, she clicked the "Follow" button.

"Well, now we just have to wait."

Later, while she was getting ready for a photo shoot, Gigi still found herself thinking about him. During the break, while the crew adjusted the lighting, her friend and makeup artist, Lily, noticed her distraction.

"Earth calling Gigi!" Lily joked, snapping her fingers in front of her friend's face. "What are you thinking about?"

Gigi shook her head, trying to hide it.

"Nothing, I'm just tired."

"Oh, don't give me that. I know you too well. You're thinking about a guy, aren't you?"

Gigi sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it.

— Okay, maybe. I met someone yesterday, but he's… different.

— Different how? — Lily asked excitedly. — Just tell me!

— He saved me from a mugger. Literally. He took my bag back and left like nothing had happened.

— Wow. Now that's the stuff of romantic comedies. So, what happened?

— We had coffee. He didn't know who I was, he had no idea I was famous. And you know what? I liked that.

Lily smiled mischievously.

— And he's handsome?

— Very handsome. — Gigi blushed, but couldn't hide her smile.

— So, what are you waiting for?

— I don't know. He's so reserved… I think he was in the military or something. He has an accent, probably Brazilian.

— Brazilian? — Lily raised her eyebrows. — Brazilian men are hot.

— Lily! — Gigi threw a pillow at her, laughing.

— Okay, okay. But you need to do something.

— I already started. I found his Instagram and sent him a follow request.

— Now that's it! Go for it, girl!

That night, Gigi was at home, curled up in a blanket on the couch, watching a movie. Every now and then, she checked her phone, but there were still no notifications from Rafael.

— Maybe he doesn't even use Instagram that much... or maybe he just hasn't seen it yet.

The thought made her a little uneasy, but she shook her head, trying to dispel her expectations. Rafael didn't seem like the type of person who would stick to social media.

Just as she was about to turn off her phone, a notification appeared:

@RafaelValente accepted her follow request.

Gigi smiled, almost without realizing it. She quickly opened his profile. The photos were few, but each one revealed a little more about him. There were pictures of landscapes, like mountains and forests, which she assumed were from Brazil. A photo of him climbing a rock caught her eye.

He was shirtless, showing off the impeccable physique she had already noticed, but what surprised her was a large tattoo on his back: an archangel, which she immediately recognized as Saint Michael.

"Interesting…" she murmured, enlarging the photo to see the details.

There were other pictures as well. One with a group of friends in one that seemed military-like, the other on a paradisiacal beach. Nothing revealed much, but enough to confirm that he was, in fact, someone with an intense and fascinating past.

Gigi thought about sending him a message, but hesitated. She didn't want to seem eager. However, as she looked at his profile, she realized that something about Rafael attracted her in a way that few things did.

"Maybe I just need a little patience..."

With a sigh, she closed the app and decided that fate would take care of the rest. After all, if New York could bring two strangers together in the midst of chaos, it could certainly do it again.

New story in my Patreon, love interest is Stassie Karanikolaou

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