Chapter 46 – Codes, Connections, and Sidewalks
June 6, 2017 – 7:58 AM
Western Division – Patrol Parking
The sun was still peeking through the neighborhood's low-rise buildings. The morning was cool, but with the promise of intense heat in the middle of the day. Mike walked to the patrol car with a cup of coffee in hand. He was in full uniform, holster adjusted, and a tablet with the day's events.
Athena was already waiting for him, leaning against the car door, arms crossed, expression alert.
"You're four minutes late. Are you too lazy to patrol after all this love and secrets?"
Mike gave a half-smile and offered her the cup.
"Extra coffee. With cinnamon. Compensation for the delay."
She took the drink.
"Good disarming tactic, Edwards. But don't get used to using your ex-agent diplomacy on me."
They got into the patrol car. Mike took the wheel, as was customary on Tuesdays.
"All clear for now. There was a disturbance in Venice around six, but it's been resolved."
Athena adjusted the radio.
"Let's see how long the city holds its peace."
8:32 AM – Pico Blvd – Residential Street
The patrol car drove slowly. Mike watched the windows, leaning bikes, faces at the gates. Athena checked her tablet, notifications slowly appearing.
"So? How was the conversation with Kendall after yesterday?" Athena asked, without taking her eyes off the street.
Mike kept his attention on the road, but his tone softened.
"Difficult. But liberating. She knows everything now. About the mission. The White House. Everything."
Athena turned her head away, sighing softly.
"And she stayed?"
— "Yes. Not only did she stay, but she understood. She didn't make a trophy out of it. She made a safe space."
Athena nodded slowly.
— "That's why she's different. She doesn't want the label. She wants the man."
Mike glanced at her briefly.
— "You always see beyond."
— "Because I was trained too. By the world."
They smiled, complicit.
9:05 AM – Emergency Call – Code 415: Civil Disturbance
The radio crackled.
"Unit 12-A-27, code 415 at the corner of Melrose and La Brea. Man threatening employees in a cafe, possible emotional distress."
Athena picked up the radio.
— "12-A-27 en route."
Mike accelerated steadily. Traffic was still light. Three minutes later, they stopped in front of a cafe with a wooden facade and a moss-green awning.
On the sidewalk, a man in his fifties was yelling at a dispatcher. His dress shirt was open, his suit pants were wrinkled, and his hair was disheveled.
Mike and Athena calmly exited the patrol car. Their hands were visible, their posture open.
"Sir, good morning. Can we talk for a moment?" Athena said, approaching.
"She threw away my wallet! I just wanted my coffee! These people treat me like trash!"
Mike scanned the man's body: no weapon visible. His pupils were dilated, his hands trembling.
"I'm Officer Edwards. This is Sergeant Grant. We can work this out. But we need you to lower your voice first."
The man was shaking. His hands were moving from his waist to his head in repetitive movements.
Athena took a step forward.
"Did you take any medication today? Or did you miss any?"
He swallowed.
— "The VA forgot me. No one sees me. I served in the Gulf. And now... now I sleep in my car."
Mike approached, taking the radio off his shoulder.
— "Dispatch, 12-A-27. Request psychological support unit on site. Possible veteran having a breakdown."
The man was crying now. His hands were on his face.
Athena approached and put her hand on his shoulder.
— "You're not alone. We're here. And we'll stay."
9:22 AM – Support Unit Arrives
The support team arrived—two paramedics trained in emotional crises. Mike and Athena explained the situation. The man was taken, with consent, to the treatment center. The café employee thanked them, relieved.
In the patrol car, Mike commented:
— "Gulf. No service. Sleeping in the car. Three more minutes and he would have broken the window."
Athena took a deep breath.
"This job isn't glamour. It's listening. It's knowing when not acting is the best course of action."
Mike nodded.
"The war continues. It just changes the scenery."
11:12 AM – Venice Blvd – Foot Patrol
They decided to walk a bit, covering two commercial blocks. Shopkeepers waved. A man offered water.
"Do you feel like... being here is more important than anything you've ever done?" Athena asked, looking at the windows.
Mike thought for a moment.
"There, I saved strategies. Here... I save personal stories. Every day."
She smiled.
"So you've found your final mission."
"Yes. And for the first time, it has a face, a name, and an address."
1:10 PM – Lunch in the squad car, engine running
Two simple sandwiches. Bottles of water. Radio on frequency.
Athena looked at Mike.
— "You're different. Not just lighter. You're... whole."
Mike looked at the horizon.
— "It's just that, for the first time, I can walk the streets without having to disappear."
She raised her water bottle.
— "To those who come back to themselves."
— "And to those who never let us disappear."
They toasted.
In silence.
With respect.
With truth.
Chapter 47 – The Cop and the Supermodel
June 7, 2017 – 3:44 PM
Station 118 – Crew Kitchen
The afternoon was quiet. A rare break between calls. The kettle whistled on the stove as Hen stirred a pot of sauce. Chimney chopped vegetables for the communal dinner. Buck, sitting at the counter, ate almonds and checked his phone. Bobby, as always, supervised without seeming to be supervising.
"Are you going to overdo the spice again, Hen?" Chimney asked suspiciously.
"I'm controlling it. Just three pinches."
"Three is Hiroshima for you."
Buck held up his phone.
"Okay... forget the sauce. I have something much spicier here."
Everyone looked at him.
"Unconfirmed rumors or at least not officially that Mike Edwards... yes, Athena's mysterious partner... is dating Kendall Jenner."
Silence.
Hen stopped stirring the spoon.
Chimney's eyes widened.
Bobby frowned.
"Kendall Jenner... the Kendall Jenner?" Hen asked.
"Model, businesswoman, member of the Kardashian-Jenner dynasty, Vogue cover... that one."
Chimney laughed:
"Impossible. You're getting it mixed up. It must be someone with the same name."
Buck turned his phone so everyone could see the article:
"Kendall Jenner, in a recent interview during the Vogue event, revealed that her partner is a former CIA officer, now an LAPD officer, and that she loves him deeply. Sources close to him confirm that he is Mike Edwards, Sergeant Athena Grant's partner."
Hen quickly grabbed his phone.
"No. No. Wait. I know this guy. He barely says good morning. He's quieter than the break room refrigerator."
Buck added:
"He doesn't post pictures. He doesn't have social media. And yet... he's dating one of the most sought-after women in the world."
Chimney sat down, hands on his head.
"The universe is upside down. And here I thought I'd seen it all."
Bobby, who hadn't said anything yet, leaned against the sink and crossed his arms.
"He's reserved. But he's not typical. Remember when we helped that guy who got shot in a fire and Mike stayed with us all the way to the hospital? He knew how to use a tourniquet better than half the paramedics."
Hen confirmed:
"And when the feds got to Charles's case, he was talking to one of them like they were old colleagues. Remember? That FBI agent who said Mike 'used to operate in the same theater as them'?"
Chimney spread his arms.
"But the CIA, guys? The CIA? What was he doing, spying on Starbucks?"
Buck:
"He seems like the kind of guy who, if he says he planted a bug in a teacup in Beirut... you'll believe it."
Bobby then commented:
"And Athena respects him. That, to me, says a lot. She doesn't share a patrol car with just anyone."
4:20 PM – Break Room – TV on, cell phone in hand
The TV was on a news channel. Suddenly, a pop segment appeared. Kendall, on the screen.
"...and yes, it's true. We're together. He brings me peace. And I've never needed a stage—just presence."
Buck paused the TV. He looked at everyone.
"Okay. She confirmed. It's official. Kendall Jenner is dating Mike. Mike from the LAPD. Mike from Athena."
Hen threw up her hands:
"WHO IS THIS MAN?"
Chimney, theatrical:
"Mike Edwards, the man, the myth, the legend. Former agent. Police officer. Master of silence. And now... Kendall Jenner's boyfriend."
Bobby laughed finally.
"He's one of us. And you're treating him like an alien."
Hen countered:
"Bobby, he's basically a low-profile James Bond. And for some cosmic reason, he chose us as his neighborhood."
Buck teased:
"I bet he didn't even tell Athena. She only found out when she saw the Kiss Cam kissing them both."
Chimney took out his phone and started typing.
— "I'm texting Athena right now. 'Is this true? Is your partner the most mysterious and luckiest guy in LA?'"
Hen added:
— "Tell her we want him at the station dinner. With or without Kendall. But preferably with."
5:30 PM – Athena's text to Chimney
Athena:
"Yes. It's true. And no, he's not lucky. She's the lucky one. Mike is exactly who you think he is. And more."
Chimney:
"We want him here. Friday. House pizza. No uniform."
Athena:
"Warning. But he doesn't like an audience."
Hen (from Chim's phone):
"Tell him we're impressed. And proud. But mostly confused."
6:15 PM – End of shift – Bobby and Chimney leaving
As they packed up their gear, Bobby commented:
"You know... sometimes we look at our colleagues and only see the surface. But everyone carries something. And Mike... carries the kind of story that doesn't need subtitles. Just respect."
Chimney nodded.
"And honestly? He deserves it. Because if someone can keep their sanity, their heart, and still fall in love... after everything they've been through... that someone isn't common."
Bobby closed the locker door.
"And we're lucky to have him around. Because people like that... are rare."
Chapter 48 – Pizza, Questions, and Private Posts
June 9, 2017 – 7:32 PM
Station 118 – Common Room
The common room was lively. Three large pizza boxes sat on the counter, soda, fresh lemonade, and some snacks in the corner. The atmosphere was light and familiar. Hen was organizing the glasses. Chimney was controlling the background music—a mix of 90s R&B. Buck had already "stolen" two slices before everyone was seated. Bobby was making coffee in the adjacent kitchen, as usual.
The side door opened.
Mike walked in.
Civilian uniform: dark jeans, black shirt, light jacket. Beside him was Athena, wearing a burgundy blouse and black dress pants. Mike was carrying a bag with a bottle of wine and a package of cookies.
"I brought backup," he said, holding up the items.
Chimney stood up as if witnessing an astronomical phenomenon.
"The man, the myth, the private profile. Welcome, Edwards!"
Hen clapped. Buck raised his hands.
"We thought you were a hologram."
Mike smiled, unashamed.
"I only show up when the pizza's good."
Athena picked up a glass.
"Enjoy. He only lets loose with people he trusts."
Bobby approached.
"Mike. Thanks for coming. You're part of the family."
"I appreciate it. It's good... to be home, every now and then."
8:10 PM – Everyone seated, pizza in hand
The slices slowly disappeared. The atmosphere was one of exchanged stories, laughter, and comments about the week's events. Mike ate calmly, observing more than speaking—until Chimney brought up the subject with a mischievous smile.
— "So… the burning question. Instagram. How did this happen?"
Buck added:
— "You… the ghost profile. She… a global icon. How?"
Mike wiped his mouth with a napkin, put down his glass, and calmly replied:
— "It was simple. And strange. But mostly… real."
Everyone fell silent. Attention was full.
— "I have a private profile. I created it when I was at the CIA for counterintelligence training on online behavior. Then I kept it to follow some photography and military history profiles. I rarely posted. Sometimes, old photos from Afghanistan. Some from Brazil. Nothing too personal. Just organized memories."
Hen, intrigued:
— "And how did she find you?"
Mike smirked.
"At the Lakers game. She saw me with Harry. We appeared on the Kiss Cam. She kissed me on the cheek. It was spontaneous. After that, the internet exploded. But what no one knew is that she... followed me that night."
Buck's eyes widened.
"She followed you? On the locked profile?"
"Yes. And she sent a message. Simple. 'Are you really real?'"
Chimney choked on his pizza. Hen started laughing.
"OMG. This is better than any series."
Mike continued:
"It took me a week to respond. I thought it was someone impersonating her. My response was just: 'Yes. And frighteningly common.'"
Athena, who had been listening with her arms crossed, laughed.
"And from then on, they became digital poets. Long messages. Then meetings in places where no one would see them."
Bobby, curious:
"And how was the first real, face-to-face meeting?"
Mike thought for a second.
"She showed up in the parking lot of a cafe in Echo Park. No security. No makeup. Loose blouse, jeans. She looked at me and said, 'If you're lying, I'll know in five seconds.' I smiled and replied, 'Lying is a luxury I no longer allow myself.'"
Silence.
Hen placed a hand on her chest.
"That was... nice."
Chimney shook her head.
"And now, you're dating a Jenner. Do you realize what that means?"
Mike looked at everyone. His gaze calm, focused.
"It means that, for some reason I'm still trying to understand, I found someone who doesn't want what I did... but who I am now. And I give that to her. Every day."
9:00 PM – Sofas, beers, and more stories
Mike was already fully engaged. Buck told stories of domestic disasters. Chimney narrated a rescue of a woman with her head stuck in an escalator. Hen laughed so hard she had to get up.
Bobby sat down next to Mike.
"You have a way of talking that... captivates you. And at the same time, you never seem to try to impress."
Mike smiled humbly.
"I was trained to disappear. Now, I just try not to scare anyone when I show up."
Bobby raised the bottle.
"You don't scare. You inspire. Because beneath all your layers... there's humanity. And that's rare these days."
Mike nodded.
"You remind me of where the ground is. The street. Real sweat. And that... is worth more than any briefing room in Langley."
Bobby touched the bottle to his.
— "Welcome to the family, Edwards."
10:00 PM – Exiting the station
Mike and Athena walked to the police car together.
— "You did well, partner. You won the battalion."
Mike put his hands in his pockets.
— "They're good. And funny. And... real humans. I needed that."
Athena looked at him.
— "What now?"
— "Now, I'm going to the house of the woman who changed everthing. And maybe... post a picture of tonight. Just for her. Just the two of us."
Athena smiled.
"Are you really going to post it?"
"A shadow can also have light."
Chapter 49 – Silence That Lasts
May 12, 2018 – 8:14 AM
Mike's House – West LA
Morning light streamed in through the large windows, filtered by linen curtains. The house was quiet, except for the sound of water running in the kitchen. Mike was making coffee. He wore a subtly faded gray t-shirt and sweatpants. His feet were bare, his hair messy, his eyes peaceful.
Kendall appeared in the doorway, wearing one of his shirts and holding his cell phone. His eyes were still puffy with sleep.
"Is there coffee?"
"Always," Mike replied, already making a second cup.
She walked over to him and rested her forehead against his back. The hug was gentle.
"Do you know what day it is?"
Mike slipped his hand over hers, over her waist.
"I know. Twelve months since the coffee in Echo Park. Since the phrase: 'Lying is a luxury I no longer allow myself.'"
Kendall smiled against his shirt.
"You even remember the phrase."
"It was the moment I realized the world could stop... if it were for something true."
They drank coffee on the porch. No noise other than the birds and the occasional sound of cars in the distance. Kendall sat cross-legged. Mike placed his hand on her knee.
"Did you imagine yourself here a year ago?"
She thought for a moment.
"No. I saw myself rushing from one commitment to the next. Thinking I was free just because I had no one. But real freedom... I only found it with you."
Mike looked at her.
"And I... I thought my life would be silence, police cars, and memories no one would understand. Now, silence has color. It has skin. It has a name."
They were silent for a few seconds, and it was comfortable.
2:02 PM – Lakers vs. Celtics Game – Arena
Seats side by side, discreet, close to the court. Kendall wore a dark cap and an oversized jacket. Mike wore a black polo shirt and jeans. Nothing to draw attention to other than their company.
The game continued intensely. The two watched, exchanging glances and occasional comments.
At one point, the stadium camera panned over them. Kendall smiled slightly. Mike maintained his serene expression. There was no kiss, no wave. Just a quick exchange of knowing glances—which was more telling than any gesture.
Shortly after, Kendall commented:
"I bet they'll say, 'She was with that mysterious man again.'"
Mike replied without taking his eyes off the court:
"And they'll still not know. Because the essential... you don't post."
5:23 PM – Arena Underground Parking
The couple left discreetly. Arena security ensured there were no photographers around. In the car, Kendall turned on the radio and then turned it off. She was silent for a few minutes, then looked at Mike.
"We're being too invisible. Sometimes I wonder if that's healthy. Or if we're hiding too much."
Mike stopped the car at a red light. He turned slightly to her.
"Do you miss the exposure?"
"No. I miss being able to be normal. Go to a restaurant and not make the news. Say I have a boyfriend without it seeming like a scandal."
"Do you want to make it official?"
She thought for a second.
"No. I want to keep it this way. But I want the world to accept that this exists. And that it's ours. And that it's good."
Mike held her hand.
"Are you happy?"
"Very happy."
— "Then let the world... talk. They don't know anything about what we have here."
7:00 PM – Kris Jenner's House – Family Dinner
The dinner was informal. Kris, Corey, Kim, Khloé, Kylie, Hailey, and the older children were present. Mike and Kendall arrived discreetly.
"Look who's here!" Kris said, smiling.
Corey shook Mike's hand.
"Still going strong, Edwards?"
"More than ever."
Kylie looked at Kendall:
"It's been a year, right?"
Kendall nodded.
"A year that I thought would just be a curiosity."
"And it turned into the most mature relationship in the family," Khloé commented.
During dinner, Mike told some stories carefully filtered about his time in Brasília, and everyone laughed when he talked about the traffic on the Eixo Monumental and the heat in Goiânia.
Kris commented:
"You know, despite everything, this family welcomed you as one of our own."
Mike smiled.
"And that's something I never take for granted."
11:12 PM – Back at Mike's house
Kendall sat on the couch, kicking off her shoes. Mike came back from the kitchen with two glasses of wine.
She looked at him.
"You know what's crazy?"
"What?"
"Even with the world trying to find us... I've never felt so found."
Mike sat beside her, slinging his arm around her.
"And I, who spent years learning to hide... now I just want to be seen by you."
They toasted silently.
Media, the next day – May 13, 2018
"Kendall Jenner is seen again with her mysterious boyfriend at a Lakers game. Sources confirm the relationship has lasted over a year, but both maintain exemplary discretion. Could this be the most stable relationship in Hollywood without Instagram?"
"Who is Mike Edwards? Former CIA, current LAPD, Kendall Jennner boyfriend and a silent legend."
"A relationship far from the flashbulbs, but full of truth. Kendall and Mike remain strong and… invisibly happy."
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