Chapter 7
It was a quiet night in Los Angeles, perfect for a movie with friends. Justin and Hailey had planned a movie night at home, and they invited Kendall, Gigi, and Bella to join them. Everyone was relaxed on the couch, surrounded by pillows, popcorn, and soda, ready for a laid-back night.
"What are we watching?" Kendall asked, looking at the remote in Justin's hand.
"I thought maybe something more serious," Hailey said with a smile. "How about Dark Zero Thirty? It's about the mission to capture Bin Laden."
Justin hesitated, looking at Michael, who was in the kitchen getting a drink. "You okay with that, Mike?"
Michael, who had just joined the group, shrugged and smiled slightly. "No problem. Do you want to watch this? Let's go."
They all nodded, and Justin quickly put the movie on. The atmosphere was relaxed at first, with everyone talking about the scenes, the tension and the way the soldiers were portrayed. Kendall, Gigi and Bella were intrigued, and questions about military operations began to arise naturally.
"Have you ever met anyone who participated in this mission?" Bella asked, curiosity evident in her voice, as she looked at Michael.
Michael remained silent for a second, watching the screen. The film showed the intense preparation for the operation, and the faces of the SEAL operators in the film brought back memories that he tried to avoid whenever possible.
"Yes," he finally answered, his voice low, almost serious. "I met every single one of them."
The silence that followed his words was almost palpable. Hailey's friends, who until then had been relaxed and laughing, became more serious, understanding the weight of what Michael was saying. Kendall, who was sitting next to him, glanced sideways, trying to understand better.
"Have you met... who killed Bin Laden?" Gigi asked, even more curious.
Michael looked at Gigi and then back at the screen. He took a deep breath before answering, his expression serious. "I was part of the team that carried out the mission... And I was the one who killed him."
The atmosphere immediately grew more tense. Justin, who was standing next to Hailey, widened his eyes in shock at the revelation, while Hailey squeezed her husband's hand, feeling the mood change. Gigi and Bella looked at each other in surprise, and Kendall was visibly shocked.
Gigi, still processing the information, frowned. "But I heard that Rob O'Neill said he killed Osama. He gave several interviews about it..."
Michael remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the film, but clearly distant. He had known this moment would come. The question of Rob O'Neill always came up, and each time it was a stab at the loyalty and principles he had sworn to uphold. Finally, he slowly turned to Gigi, his gaze steady.
"Rob is lying," he said, his voice calm but with a note of disappointment. "He broke his oath, betrayed the brotherhood. We had an agreement, something that goes beyond fame or glory. What we did that night should have remained between us, like a promise between blood brothers."
Kendall, who was standing next to Michael, crossed her arms, a little uncomfortable. "So why would he do that? Why would anyone lie about something like that?"
Michael gave a sad, bitter smile. "Fame, money... ego. It wasn't supposed to be about that. We didn't do what we did to be recognized. We did it because it was our duty."
Everyone in the room fell silent, trying to absorb what they had just heard. It was a different perspective, one that no one expected to hear directly from someone who had lived it firsthand.
The glitz of Hollywood and interviews had given them a false impression, and now they were hearing the raw truth from the mouth of a man who had actually been there.
Justin looked at Michael, his expression respectful.
"Man... I had no idea."
Michael shrugged, trying to ease the tension in the air. "It's not something I like to talk about, really. I always prefer to leave it behind. But sometimes the truth needs to be told, even if it's uncomfortable."
Gigi still looked confused, but she nodded slowly, respecting the seriousness of the situation. "I'm sorry if I touched a nerve. I just... I didn't know."
"Don't worry," Michael said, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's part of my story, but it doesn't define who I am now."
The mood gradually eased, but the revelation about Michael and the truth behind the mission to capture Bin Laden left a mark on the group. Hailey's friends, accustomed to a world of glamour and fame, realized that there were much deeper layers to Michael's life than they could have imagined.
The film continued, but this time, with a new perspective. Every scene, every moment portrayed on screen, seemed more real, closer, and the presence of Michael, with his story still untold in the smallest detail, gave a new weight to what everyone was watching.
At the end of the night, when the film ended, everyone felt different. They not only learned more about Michael's life, but they also saw how much more complex and full of secrets the world can be than appearances suggest. And, despite everything, Michael remained the same: kind, modest, but with a depth that few had the privilege of knowing so closely.
Chapter 8
After an intense night with Dark Zero Thirty, the group decided on something lighter. They wanted an action movie, but one that wasn't so directly related to what Michael had experienced. After a few suggestions, Justin, with a smile on his face, suggested a modern classic: Jason Bourne.
"How about this one? It's full of action, and well... Bourne is practically indestructible," Justin said, trying to break the heavier mood that had settled after the last movie session.
"Oh, sure! I love that movie," Kendall said excitedly, crossing her legs and snuggling into the couch. "Bourne is like... the super spy everyone dreams of being."
Michael, who was pouring a drink, looked at the screen with a slight smile. He knew the character of Jason Bourne well enough. Although he had never considered himself the type to talk about spy movies, he knew that what Hollywood portrayed was a glamorous and often fantasy version of what really happened.
"Okay, let's watch it," he said, sitting on the arm of the couch next to Hailey. He was curious to see how much they believed it could be real.
As the movie progressed, the chase scenes, fights, and shootouts kept everyone excited. Justin and the girls occasionally gasped in amazement at Bourne's superhuman abilities as he escaped ambushes and survived intense combat. Everyone seemed totally caught up in the action… except Michael, who watched with a slightly skeptical expression.
"Damn, this guy is indestructible," Gigi said, laughing during one of the scenes where Bourne took down an entire group of trained agents with nearly superhuman moves. "I can't believe he does all that by himself!"
Kendall turned to Michael, curious. "Have you ever done anything like this? Like, a covert mission like this, all by yourself?"
Michael's smile faded for a moment. He glanced at the screen, watching Bourne run across rooftops and dodge helicopters, and shook his head. "I've done some covert missions... but nothing is as glamorous as they show here."
Everyone in the room stopped and looked at Michael curiously. Hailey raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised. She knew about his career, but he had never specifically mentioned working with the CIA.
"You worked for the CIA?" Justin asked, visibly intrigued.
Michael took a deep breath, an air of seriousness filling the room. "Yeah, I did some solo missions for them. Operations that required total stealth, with no backup or rescue team. But it's very different from what you're seeing here. In real life, there's not all this cinematic action. It's quiet, meticulous... and if you make a mistake, no one is going to come and save you."
Kendall's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "Like, you were out there, alone, in enemy countries, doing this stuff? That's... surreal!"
Michael gave a half smile. "Surreal is a good word. But the truth is, there are no invincible heroes like Jason Bourne. If you get shot, you go down. If you get caught, you might not come back. Life doesn't give you multiple chances like in a movie."
Gigi frowned, still absorbing the information. "So... what did you do on those missions?"
Michael shook his head. "A lot of the stuff I did... I can't tell you. And honestly, it's not something I'm proud of or enjoy reliving. But sometimes, when the government needs something done without a trace, they call in someone who can come and go without being noticed."
"How did you manage that, knowing you were alone?" Bella asked curiously.
Michael looked at the group, his face reflecting a mix of seriousness and calm. "You prepare yourself. You train your mind and body to handle stress and uncertainty. It's something you learn over time. But what's more important than any physical skill is the ability to stay calm and make the right decisions, even when everything around you is falling apart."
Hailey, sitting next to Justin, was silent for a moment, absorbing what her cousin had just said. "It's quite different from how they portray it in the movies, then?"
Michael let out a light laugh. "Totally different. Jason Bourne, for example... he's a superhero, basically. What I did... were real missions, with real lives at stake, and consequences if something went wrong. There are no high-speed chase scenes or choreographed fights. It's more about avoiding being seen than engaging in combat."
Justin laughed nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, still... you're kind of our real-life Jason Bourne."
Michael shook his head with a wry smile. "If Bourne were real, he wouldn't last a month. The kind of work we do, or that I did, is quiet. If you're running and shooting like in the movie, you're already screwed. The trick is not to be seen."
Kendall, who looked fascinated, leaned in closer. "So, what's the closest thing you've ever done to being Jason Bourne?"
Michael thought for a moment, remembering one of the missions he'd done in the Middle East. "I once had to infiltrate enemy territory alone, without communication, to get information. The only rule was: stay undetected. If anyone saw me, the mission failed. I spent days hiding, avoiding patrols, until I finally got what I needed. This is the closest I've ever been to being Bourne. But then again, there's no glamour to it. Just stress and... good planning."
Gigi shook her head, impressed. "I guess I underestimated what it really means to do this kind of thing."
Michael smiled slightly, his gaze drifting away for a moment. "Everyone underestimates. And it's better that way. Reality is something few want to see."
As the movie continued, everyone in the group looked at Michael in a new way. Jason Bourne, as incredible as he was on screen, now seemed like a secondary character compared to the real man who was there in the room with them.
Chapter 9
The next morning, the sun was shining brightly over Los Angeles, and the city was already bustling with life. Hailey and Justin woke up early, intending to have a relaxing breakfast, but as they went downstairs, they heard noises coming from the backyard. Curious, they decided to investigate.
When they went outside, they found Michael in full swing, doing his morning training. He was dressed in sportswear and was sweating as he moved nimbly, alternating between quick-draw exercises with a pistol and a training rifle.
Each movement was precise and controlled, demonstrating his skill and discipline. After a few minutes, he began practicing fighting and self-defense techniques, using both his hands and a training knife.
Hailey watched in fascination. "Wow, he really takes this seriously," she murmured to Justin, who was standing next to her, visibly impressed.
Michael, noticing their presence, stopped and smiled, still panting. "Hey, guys! I was just keeping in shape. Want to see something interesting?"
Justin nodded hesitantly. "Sure, but… is it safe?"
Michael laughed, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Sure! It's all part of the training. But if you want, I can teach you some basic fighting moves. It never hurts to learn how to defend yourself."
Hailey exchanged a glance with Justin, who looked nervous but intrigued at the same time. "Do you think we should?" he asked.
"Why not? It could be fun," Hailey replied, excited at the idea of learning something new.
Michael walked over, placing his hands on his legs and taking a deep breath. "Great! Let's start with some basic moves. The first one is a simple punch to get out of a hold."
He demonstrated the technique, explaining each step. Justin watched intently, trying to absorb it all.
"It's all about staying calm and understanding what to do in a moment of stress," Michael said, looking Justin in the eye. "You have to trust your instincts."
Hailey stood next to Michael, trying to copy the moves. "What if you're in a real situation?" she asked, as he performed the technique.
"If you're in danger, use everything you've learned. The goal is to get out of the situation safely," Michael replied, focused. "Now, Justin, come here and show me what you've learned."
Justin, a little reluctantly, approached and tried to perform the same technique. Michael patiently guided him, adjusting his stance and offering tips. "Trust your strength. You can do this."
After a few tries, Justin finally managed to perform the move correctly, and a smile of satisfaction appeared on his face. "That wasn't so hard," he said, looking surprised.
"That's it! Now, let's add a little more complexity," Michael said, his energy intensifying. "I'm going to show you a move you can use to take someone down if necessary."
Hailey grew more interested, as Michael began demonstrating a combination of moves, mixing punches and kicks. She tried to follow along, even though she wasn't as skilled. "You make it look easy!" she exclaimed, laughing as she missed a step.
"It's all practice," Michael replied encouragingly. "No one becomes an expert overnight."
After a few repetitions, Michael suggested they try a light combat simulation. "Don't worry about hurting each other. The goal is to learn how to move and adapt."
Justin and Hailey agreed, and soon they were facing off in a safe space, Michael supervising and adjusting their stances. The room was filled with laughter and banter, but also with concentration.
"This is so fun!" Hailey said, trying to dodge a move Justin made. "I never thought I'd have this much fun."
"It's a good way to pass the time and learn something useful," Michael added, watching with a smile. "If you ever have to defend yourselves, you'll be a little more prepared."
After a while, the training became a mix of laughter and mistakes, but also moments of real learning. When they finally stopped, everyone was panting, but feeling satisfied.
"Thanks for teaching us, Michael. That was awesome!" Justin said, running a hand over his sweaty forehead.
"You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it," Michael replied, beaming with pride. "And remember, the most important thing is not to be the strongest, but to know how to protect yourself and stay calm."
Hailey looked at Justin and then at Michael, admiring not only his skills, but also his willingness to share a bit of his world with them. "Are we going to do this again sometime?" she asked excitedly.
"Absolutely," Michael replied. "You can never have too much training. And who knows, maybe one day you'll surprise me with your skills."
As they walked back inside, the lighthearted, fun atmosphere of the morning made everyone feel closer, and the idea of learning from Michael became more and more interesting.
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