Chapter 38-39 - Former CIA, Now LAPD

Chapter 38 – The Weight of the Name, the Lightness of the Encounter

May 14, 2017 – 3:12 PM

Kris Jenner's House – Hidden Hills

The black iron gate opened with a soft hydraulic noise. Mike drove his black Escalade slowly up the cobblestone driveway. He wore dark jeans, a blue dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and understated boots. No watch, no adornment. Just the firm presence of someone who prefers to observe first, speak later.

Outside, Kendall waited, wearing a light dress and her hair loose. When she saw him get out of the car, she smiled, but she could sense the controlled tension in his body.

"You seem calmer than I would be."

Mike walked over to her and kissed her cheek.

"Believe me. This is harder than backchanneling a Libyan general."

She laughed. She took his hand.

— "Come on. Let's start with my mom and Corey. Then the sisters. Finally, the kids."

— "How many levels are there in this game?"

— "Five. And all on hard mode."

They laughed. And went inside.

3:24 PM – Main Kitchen

The kitchen was spacious, with light marble and black wood. Kris Jenner, impeccably dressed in white, stood next to Corey, tossing a salad. She turned as soon as she saw them enter.

— "Mike! Finally."

Mike held out his hand firmly.

— "Mrs. Jenner. A pleasure."

— "Please, call me Kris. And this is Corey."

Corey shook Mike's hand with a slight smile.

— "I was curious to see if the man on the Kiss Cam was actually real."

Mike replied:

— "Too real. And without a publicist."

Kris offered her a glass of water with lemon.

"You caused a bigger stir than some of our launches."

Mike drank, and replied calmly:

"The intention was much quieter. But... the world changes our plans."

Kris nodded.

"And how is it with my daughter?"

"Every day I'm more certain that it's worth saving the little free time I have... just for her."

There was a moment of respectful silence.

Kris smiled.

"You'll do great."

3:45 PM – Living Room – Meeting the Sisters

In the large circular living room, Khloé, Kourtney, Kim, and Kylie were seated, with their children nearby: North, Saint, Penelope, Mason, True, and Stormi, who was playing with colorful blocks.

Kendall and Mike entered together.

Khloé was the first to stand.

"Behold the man, the myth, the legend."

Mike smiled warmly.

"Officially demystified."

Kim watched with a clinical eye.

"You seem... uncomfortably prepared for anything."

"It's part of the job. Ex or current."

Kourtney crossed her arms, but with a curious look.

"And what exactly do you see when you look at us?"

Mike answered without hesitation.

"People who live in overdrive. But with a level of control most don't even dream of."

Khloé lightly slapped Kourtney's arm.

"He read you in three seconds."

Kylie approached, holding Stormi in her arms.

"She loves uniforms."

Everyone laughed. Mike approached the children naturally. He bent down, not forcing himself.

"Hi, everyone."

"Are you a police officer?" Mason asked.

"I am. But my most important job is to listen before I act."

Penelope:

"You arrest bad people?"

"I help protect good people. Sometimes that includes arresting those who hurt others."

North:

"Have you ever seen someone die?"

The question dropped like a stone. The mothers looked tense.

Mike answered firmly and sweetly.

"Yes. And that's why I've learned to cherish every moment like this one. With someone who's alive. And well."

Kim nodded, surprised by the answer.

4:20 PM – Outdoor Patio

Everyone was on the patio. Drinks, fruit, and finger food were lined up on platters. Mike was talking to Corey and Rob, who had appeared discreetly. The children were running around. Kendall was talking to Khloé in the background.

Kim approached.

"You seem... strangely comfortable here."

Mike replied, looking out at the garden.

— "Being comfortable isn't my natural state. But being with the right person changes that."

— "Will you be able to keep all this away from the media?"

— "I can't control the world. But I can control my actions. And my loyalty."

Kim nodded.

— "Kendall has had good guys. But never... calm. You're the first one who seems whole."

5:10 PM – Private Chat with Kendall

While everyone chatted in the background, Kendall and Mike sat on a stone bench near the side wall, further away.

— "You survived."

— "No visible injuries."

— "What did you think?"

— "Real people. Families, with more cameras than usual. But... human."

— "They liked you."

— "And I like them. But, more importantly... I like you. And now I understand more about what you carry. This isn't a family. It's a structure. And you need someone who sees beyond that."

Kendall took his hand.

— "You see me, Mike. And that changes everything."

They kissed, lightly.

Chapter 39 – Between Idols and Allies

May 20, 2017 – 6:03 PM

Grant Residence – Baldwin Hills

The Los Angeles sky was tinged with gold. The temperature was mild, with a light breeze. The Grant home exuded simplicity and warmth. Mike had arrived early, wearing a dark gray t-shirt and jeans. He had helped Athena set the table. May was in her room, still unaware of the big visit. Harry already knew—and was counting down.

Outside, Kendall's black SUV pulled up smoothly. She wore a discreet, knee-length floral dress and a light cardigan. Her hair tied in a simple bun, without heavy makeup. Her eyes showed something rare in her: controlled nervousness.

Mike opened the door before she even knocked.

"You came."

"And you smiled. That's rare."

Mike pressed his face against hers in a light kiss.

Athena appeared in the living room doorway, arms crossed, her expression firm but welcoming.

"So this is the famous Kendall."

Kendall composed herself immediately, walking toward her with respect and a touch of shyness that belied her fame.

"It's an honor to meet you, Athena. Really. Mike speaks of you with... genuine admiration."

Athena extended her hand.

"You're already earning points just for not arriving in heels and a photographer."

They both laughed.

Mike breathed a sigh of relief.

6:22 PM – Living Room – Conversation with Athena

The three of them were seated. Mike watched intently. Kendall looked around, lightly touching the arm of the sofa.

"This house... has a good energy. Calm. Real."

Athena nodded, watching her.

— "We've survived a lot to maintain this calm. And Mike is part of it now."

— "I know. He told me more than I thought he would. About his past. The CIA. Ground Branch. And about you guys. He trusts you as... an extension of himself."

Athena kept her gaze steady, but her tone softened.

— "Mike isn't easy to get to. He's the kind of person who builds walls with bricks of silence. But when he trusts, he builds a home with you inside."

— "I want to be inside. Without changing who he is."

Athena crossed her legs.

— "If you respect that... and respect the family he found here, you'll be welcome."

Kendall nodded sincerely.

— "I'm not here out of curiosity. I'm here because I found something that... for the first time... I don't want to lose."

6:40 PM – Harry's Entrance

Harry appeared in the doorway, excited.

— "KENDALL JENNER!"

Kendall laughed, standing up.

— "Hi, Harry. Remember me from the Lakers game?"

— "OF COURSE I REMEMBER. You kissed Mike on the Kiss Cam!"

Mike covered his eyes with his hand.

Athena laughed out loud.

Kendall crouched down, level with Harry.

— "And you were the most excited one in the arena."

— "You... you're very famous. But you're cool. That's rare."

— "You're very smart. And I'm happy to see you again."

Harry smiled, settling back in his gaming chair. Mike murmured to Athena:

— "An eight-year-old summed me up perfectly."

Athena, still laughing:

— "He has a future in the FBI."

6:58 PM – May's Entrance

The bedroom door opened.

"Mom, have you seen my history book? I need…"

Silence.

May stopped, frozen in the middle of the room. Kendall turned, smiling. May blinked several times. Her hand dropped the book. Her breath caught.

"Oh my God. It's you."

Kendall smiled naturally.

"Hi, May. I'm Kendall. It's nice to meet you."

May walked slowly, in shock.

"I… I've been following you for years. I… damn. Is this real? Like… you're in my class. With Mike."

Mike raised his eyebrows.

"Hi to me too, right?"

May laughed, covering her face.

"Sorry, Mike, but… you brought a Jenner home. That officially makes you the coolest man to ever walk this planet."

Kendall laughed out loud.

— "Look, Mike. You've leveled up."

— "Good to know my credibility now depends on pop culture."

May sat next to Kendall, eyes shining.

— "What's it like dating Mike? He's very reserved, but always so... steady. And he's good to us. Always has been."

Kendall answered sincerely:

— "It's... different. He's calm. But he sees you like no one else. And he never lies. And there's a silence that... listens to you."

May nodded, looking at Mike.

— "That's why we like him so much."

7:35 PM – Light dinner, family atmosphere

The table was set with simple dishes: salad, pasta, homemade bread. Mike poured wine. Kendall helped Athena in the kitchen. May asked questions about fashion and career, while Harry talked about the latest episode of The Mandalorian.

Kendall cut the bread and said to Athena:

"Thank you. For letting me into this space. I know what that means."

Athena replied bluntly:

"He closed himself off for years. And now... he opens the door. This is a sign. Take good care of him."

"With all my silence."

8:15 PM – At the gate of the house, goodbye

Kendall was saying goodbye. May took a selfie with her, trembling. Harry hugged Mike and said:

"She can come anytime, okay?"

Mike nodded.

On the sidewalk, Kendall turned to him.

"They are amazing peoples"

"You were too."

"You know what I liked most?"

"What?"

"That, for one night... I was just Mike's girlfriend. Not a name. Just... a presence."

Mike kissed her lightly.

"That's all I want for you."

And when she got in the car and drove off, Mike stood there, watching the lights fade away.

Athena, at the door, commented:

"She's different."

Mike replied calmly:

"That's why... it's with her that I can be the same.

Full story on my Patreon

Chapter 19 - Chapter 38-39