Hailey Bieber's cousin

Chapter 16

On a sunny day in February, the Hadid family decided to host a small get-together at their house, where Michael would be introduced to Zayn Malik, Khai's father and Gigi's ex-boyfriend. Everyone was excited, especially Gigi, who knew that Mike and Zayn had a lot in common.

When Zayn arrived, he was greeted with smiles and hugs. "What's up, man?" he said to Mike, greeting him with a firm handshake. "Gigi's talked a lot about you."

"Nice to meet you, Zayn. I'm a big fan of your work," Mike replied, with a genuine smile. "And of course, what you do as a father."

Zayn smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment. "Thank you! Khai means everything to me. And you, what's life like as a SEAL?"

The conversation flowed naturally, with Mike sharing his experiences, challenges and learnings throughout his military career.

Zayn was interested, asking insightful questions. "How do you deal with the pressure and stress of missions?"

Mike thought for a moment before answering. "I think the key is to have a purpose. You're there for a bigger reason, and that motivates you to keep going, no matter how hard it gets. Plus, the support of your team makes all the difference."

Zayn nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. In music, it's similar. You need a good team around you to create something great."

As they talked, the chemistry between the two became more and more evident. They began to discuss their views on life, art, and the importance of family. "I always say that family is what really matters," Zayn commented, looking at Khai, who was joking in the background. "Are you really close to your family?"

"Yes, very. Family is everything to me too," Mike replied, his gaze softening. "After everything I've been through, I realize how important it is to have people around you who support you unconditionally."

Gigi watched the interaction with a satisfied smile, happy to see that they were getting along so well. "Sounds like you found a new friend, Mike!"

"Absolutely," Zayn replied, looking at Mike. "We should do this more often. We can exchange ideas about fatherhood and maybe even do something together in the future."

"That would be great!" Mike said excitedly. "I'd love to learn more about your approach to music and fatherhood."

The meeting continued with laughter and shared stories, and by the end of the day, they both felt like they had created a promising friendship. Mike had impressed Zayn not only with his experiences, but also with his worldview and sincerity.

As they said their goodbyes, Zayn turned to Mike and said, "Let's meet again soon. I'm curious to hear more about your adventures."

"Deal! I'm looking forward to it," Mike replied, feeling grateful for the new friendship.

As he left, he realized that even in a new environment and with challenges ahead, he was building a circle of friends who supported and inspired him. And with that, life in Los Angeles looked increasingly promising.

Chapter 17

As March progressed, Michael, Hailey, and Justin's lives in Los Angeles began to be affected by a scandal that quickly spread through the media. The paparazzi were becoming increasingly aggressive, invading the couple's privacy and turning their home into a veritable photo battleground.

The situation became untenable when the photographers began to prevent Justin and Hailey from entering their own residence.

One night, as Justin and Hailey were trying to return home from an event, a crowd of paparazzi surrounded their car, shouting questions and trying to capture images of the couple. Tensions were high, and Justin was visibly irritated.

"This is unacceptable," he muttered, his hands tightening on the steering wheel.

It was then that Mike, who was at home and had gone out to check what was happening, saw the scene. He didn't hesitate and walked toward the crowd, his imposing presence immediately attracting the attention of the paparazzi. With his robust physique and confident posture, Mike cut an intimidating figure.

"Hey! What are you guys doing here?" he shouted, his firm voice echoing in the night. "Get out of the way of the car! This is private property!"

The surprised paparazzi began to laugh nervously, but Mike wasn't kidding. "If you don't move away now, I'll consider this trespassing and I'll have the right to defend myself. And lethal force is an option if you don't leave me alone."

The atmosphere changed instantly. The paparazzi, realizing that Mike wasn't joking, hesitated and began to back away slowly, exchanging nervous glances with each other. The threat was clear, and Mike's determination to protect the couple's privacy was undeniable.

Justin and Hailey finally managed to get out of the car and approached Mike. "Thanks, man," Justin said, relieved. "Those guys were out of control."

"Don't worry," Mike replied, his tone calm. "No one should have to deal with this. We'll make sure you guys can live in peace."

As the crowd dispersed, cameras began to capture the moment. Soon, social media was abuzz with images of Mike confronting the paparazzi, and the media was quick to comment on the incident.

Headlines began to appear: "Hailey Bieber's cousin Michael Baldwin defends the couple from paparazzi!" and "The strength of a SEAL: Michael doesn't hesitate to protect Justin and Hailey!"

Comments on social media ranged from enthusiastic support to criticism. Many fans praised Mike for his courage and willingness to protect his friends.

"Finally someone standing up to these invaders!" and "Mike is the real hero of the day!" were some of the positive reactions.

On the other hand, some critics questioned Mike's aggressiveness, saying he could have handled the situation more peacefully. But overall, Mike's image as a protector was solidified in the public's mind. That night, as they gathered at home, Hailey and Justin expressed their gratitude to Mike.

"You really saved us," Hailey said, smiling. "I don't know what we would do without you."

"We're in this together," Mike replied, relaxing into his seat. "Don't worry, I'm here to protect you."

As the scandal unfolded, Mike felt more a part of the family than ever before. He knew life in Los Angeles had its challenges, but with people who supported him, he was ready to face them head on.

Chapter 18

April arrived, and with it the long-awaited Coachella festival, one of the biggest music and cultural events in the world. Justin and Hailey, festival veterans, were excited to return.

However, this time, they would have an extra companion: Michael. Mike was not very familiar with the event, but he was willing to have fun with his cousin and immerse himself a little more in the bustling social life of Los Angeles.

From April 14 to 23, the festival took over the city, and the trio arrived in the Californian desert surrounded by enthusiasm. As soon as they stepped foot on the venue, the vibrant atmosphere, with thousands of people wearing their best festival outfits and dancing to the hottest songs of the moment, infected Michael.

However, there was something impossible to ignore: Michael's presence stood out in the crowd. He was much taller than most of the people around him, his prominent muscles and imposing posture caught the attention of everyone he passed. Even among the event's security guards, Mike seemed like a giant.

Hailey, ever the observer, noticed the looks Michael was getting. "Do you see that, Justin?" she said with a laugh. "Mike is getting more attention than the headliners!"

Justin, smiling, lightly punched Mike on the shoulder. "I told you you were going to cause a stir, man. Look, you don't even need a VIP invitation. You're the show!"

Mike laughed, shaking his head. "I just came to have fun. I didn't think I'd end up being the center of attention."

As they walked through the festival, people began to whisper and point at the trio, especially Michael. Some of the more daring ones even asked for pictures with him, thinking he might be a celebrity or an action movie star.

At first, he was surprised, but he soon got into the mood and started taking pictures with whoever asked, maintaining his friendly and relaxed demeanor.

During the shows, they mingled with the crowd, dancing and enjoying the music. Justin and Hailey looked relaxed and happy, enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, while Mike seemed more at ease than ever.

Even the artists on stage, between songs, commented on the "big guy in the middle", which caused laughter among the surrounding crowd.

On social media, photos of Michael at the festival began to go viral. The posts were full of compliments on his physique and funny comments about his intimidating presence, even at such a laid-back event.

Hashtags like #CoachellaBodyguard and #NavySealAtCoachella began to circulate, turning Mike into an unexpected sensation.

"This is the hottest guy I've ever seen at a festival!" wrote one fan on Twitter. "Can someone confirm if he's part of the lineup because he's stealing the show!" commented another.

Even some celebrities present at the festival couldn't resist approaching Mike for a quick chat. He was introduced to some big names in music and cinema, creating connections he never would have imagined.

That night, back at the house they'd rented for the festival, Mike was sitting around the fire pit with Justin and Hailey.

"I never thought I'd go to a festival like this," he admitted, smiling. "But I had a great time. Thanks for bringing me."

"You were the star of the show, Mike," Hailey joked, winking at him. "I think you should consider switching careers to festival modeling."

"Who knows," Mike laughed, shaking his head. "But it was good to disconnect for a while. It made me see things from a different perspective."

With the first week of Coachella over and the second week about to begin, Mike was ready for more. He'd found a new side to life in Los Angeles one that was carefree, lighthearted, and full of fun a far cry from what he'd been used to during his military career. And he was loving it.

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