Chapter 4: Chapter 10-11-12
Chapter 10 – A New Member on the Mat
It was a quiet afternoon in Indian Creek when Jack, the 16-year-old son of Gisele's ex-husband, arrived to spend some time with the family. Gisele had always had a special affection for Jack, treating him like one of her own children. Despite the separation, she never stopped making sure he felt part of the family.
Jack got out of the car with his backpack, smiling when he saw Gisele and her siblings, Benjamin and Vivian, waiting for him at the entrance of the house.
"Auntie Gisele!" he exclaimed, running to hug her.
"Jack! How you've grown!" Gisele said, hugging him tightly. "We're so happy to have you here."
"I missed you too," he replied, looking at Benjamin and Vivian, who were already eager to tell him the news.
That night, after dinner, the three brothers were in the backyard playing ball while Gisele watched them from the porch. Benjamin, full of energy, decided to tell them the news.
"Jack, guess what we started doing?"
"What?" Jack asked, curious.
"Jiu-jitsu!" Benjamin replied enthusiastically. "It's the coolest thing ever. You have to try it."
Vivian nodded excitedly. "Our teacher is amazing! He's like a jiu-jitsu legend."
Jack laughed. "I've heard of jiu-jitsu, but I've never tried it. Is it hard?"
"It's a little difficult at first, but you learn quickly. And teacher Ricardo is super cool," Benjamin explained.
Jack looked at Gisele, who was smiling as she listened to the conversation. "Do you think I could try it too, Aunt Gisele?"
"Of course, Jack. I'll talk to Ricardo and see if he can fit you into the classes," she said.
"Cool! I can't wait," Jack replied excitedly.
Two days later, Gisele took Jack to Iron Will Gym. He looked a little nervous as he put on the kimono loaned to him by the gym, but Gisele and her brothers were there to support him.
Ricardo approached as soon as he saw them entering.
"You must be Jack," Ricardo said, extending his hand to the teenager.
"It's me. It's a pleasure, teacher," Jack replied, shaking Ricardo's hand.
"The pleasure is mine. Let's see if you like the sport as much as your brothers do," Ricardo said with a smile.
Ricardo started with the basics, teaching Jack how to fall correctly and do the most basic transitions. Gisele watched from afar as he trained with the group of adults.
"You're doing well, Jack. Relax and trust the movement," Ricardo said, adjusting his posture.
Jack tried to repeat the movements several times, making mistakes at first, but gradually improving. Benjamin and Vivian were nearby, cheering him on.
"Good job, Jack! You almost made it!" Benjamin shouted.
Vivian added, "You're already better than I was on my first day."
Jack laughed, appreciating his brothers' support.
After practice, as everyone was setting up the mats, Jack approached Ricardo.
"Teacher, thanks for the class. It was more fun than I thought it would be," Jack said.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. The most important thing is to have fun while you learn," Ricardo replied.
"Benjamin and Vivian always talk about you at home. They say you're the best teacher they've ever had," Jack commented sincerely.
Richard smiled. "They're great students. And from what I saw today, you have potential too."
Jack was visibly excited by the compliment.
On the way back, Jack couldn't stop talking about practice.
"Aunt Gisele, why didn't you tell me about jiu-jitsu before? It's really cool!"
"I didn't know you'd be interested," she replied, smiling. "But I'm glad you liked it."
"You liked it? I loved it! I want to train every day now," Jack said excitedly.
Benjamin and Vivian laughed. "We said it was amazing!"
"And did you see how great Professor Ricardo is?" Vivian added.
Jack agreed. "Yes, he's really good at what he does. It seems like he really enjoys teaching."
In the following days, Jack began training regularly, following his brothers' routine. He quickly adapted to the gym environment and became well-liked by the other students.
Gisele felt a special joy when she saw the three of them together on the mat, learning and having fun. For her, jiu-jitsu was not just a sport; it was a way to strengthen family ties.
One evening, while chatting with Ricardo after practice, she said,
"Thank you for making Jack so welcome. He's loving the classes."
"It's a pleasure to have him here. He's got a good spirit and a quick learner. I think he'll do great," Ricardo replied.
"You have a gift for connecting people to the sport," Gisele said, looking at him with admiration.
Ricardo smiled, but looked away, feeling the intensity of the moment.
With Jack integrated into the training routine, Gisele's family felt closer than ever. The days on the mat were not just about learning techniques, they were about laughing, supporting each other, and building memories that would last forever.
And Ricardo, always present, became increasingly part of this special dynamic. Gisele began to realize that his impact went far beyond the mat, deeply touching the lives of everyone he crossed paths with.
Chapter 11 – Taking on New Challenges
It was a quiet morning in Indian Creek when Gisele made her decision. After watching her children's progress in jiu-jitsu and getting more involved in their training, she felt she was ready for something different.
Inspired by some conversations with Ricardo, she decided to learn how to shoot. It wasn't something she imagined doing, but there was something about the way he talked about the discipline and focus that shooting required that fascinated her.
At the end of the morning's training, as the students dispersed, Gisele approached Ricardo.
"Ricardo, can I ask you something?" she said, pulling her hair back and adjusting the belt of her kimono.
"Sure, Gisele. What's wrong?" he replied, ever attentive.
"I was wondering… do you think I could learn how to shoot? I mean, I've never held a gun before, but I've always been curious."
Ricardo smiled, hearing the mix of enthusiasm and hesitation in her voice.
"You can definitely do it. Shooting isn't just about strength; it's more about technique, control, and patience. And I'm sure you have those qualities," he said.
"So, can we schedule a lesson?"
"Sure. Tomorrow at nine, is that okay for you?"
"Perfect. I can't wait," she said, with an excited smile.
The next day, Gisele arrived at the private shooting range where Ricardo taught. The place was well-equipped and safe, with outdoor spaces and different types of targets. Ricardo was already there, dressed casually in jeans and a black T-shirt that highlighted his confident posture.
"Welcome," he said, handing her a pair of goggles and ear protectors.
"Thank you," Gisele replied, as she looked around, curious about the surroundings.
He led her to a table where several guns were lined up. "Today, we'll start with something basic, a pistol. It's light, easy to handle, and perfect for beginners."
Gisele looked at the pistol with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "It looks simple, but at the same time intimidating."
"It's all about practice. First, I'm going to teach you the basic safety rules," Ricardo explained, starting to talk about how to handle the gun carefully, make sure it's unloaded, and keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire.
After going over the basics, Ricardo showed her how to hold the pistol correctly.
"Put your dominant hand on the grip and your other hand here, for support," he said, carefully positioning her hands.
Gisele tried to imitate the movement, but she was a little stiff. Ricardo moved closer, gently adjusting her posture.
"Relax your shoulders. You don't have to be so tense," he said, smiling.
"Easy for you to say," Gisele replied, laughing nervously.
"You'll get used to it," Ricardo assured her.
After adjusting her position, he took a step back. "Now, aim at that target up ahead. Take a deep breath and pull the trigger slowly."
Gisele took a deep breath and followed the instructions. The first shot went off with a loud bang, making her flinch slightly.
"Wow, that's more intense than I expected," she said, looking at Ricardo.
"And you did well with the first shot. You hit the target," he replied, pointing to the hole in the edge of the paper.
Gisele smiled excitedly. "Can I try again?"
"Sure. Now that you know the feeling, try to keep your focus on the center of the target," Ricardo said.
With a few more shots, Gisele began to feel more comfortable, hitting closer and closer to the center.
"See? It's just practice and patience," Ricardo said, pleased with her progress.
After about an hour, Ricardo decided to introduce a new challenge.
"Now let's increase the distance a little. Let's see how you do," he said, adjusting the target further away.
"You really want to test me, huh?" Gisele joked.
"I just want to help you improve. I trust you can do it," he replied with an encouraging smile.
As Gisele continued practicing, Ricardo watched her with admiration. She demonstrated determination and focus, characteristics he had always valued.
"You're doing really well, Gisele. It seems like you were born for this," he commented.
"Oh, don't exaggerate," she said, laughing. "But I admit I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would."
After the practice, the two sat down on a nearby bench to rest. Gisele held her water bottle as she looked out at the shooting range.
"Thanks for today, Ricardo. It was an incredible experience," she said sincerely.
"You have talent, Gisele. With a little more practice, you'll get even better," he replied.
"I think that makes me understand a little bit more about you," she commented.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you have this calm and focus. You can tell it comes from all your experience, both in jiu-jitsu and here. It's inspiring," she explained, looking at him in admiration.
Ricardo looked away modestly. "Thank you. I'm glad you think so. But at the end of the day, it's all about teaching and helping people overcome themselves."
"And you do that very well," she said, with a smile that made Ricardo feel something different.
That day, Gisele returned home with a new passion. Learning to shoot wasn't just a skill; it was a way to connect even more with Ricardo, someone she was starting to admire more every day. And although neither of them said it out loud, they both knew there was something growing between them, something that went far beyond the mat or the shooting range.
Chapter 12 – Visitors on the Mat
It was a sunny weekend in Indian Creek when Alessandra Ambrosio arrived to visit her longtime friend, Gisele Bündchen. The two models had a special connection, built over years of runway shows, campaigns, and travels. Alessandra brought her 15-year-old daughter, Anja, to spend a few days with Gisele and her family.
As they chatted in the living room, with a fresh cup of coffee on the table, Gisele shared her latest passion.
"Alê, you're not going to believe this, but I've started training jiu-jitsu," Gisele said, smiling.
"Jiu-jitsu?" Alessandra raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You? I thought yoga was more your thing."
"I still love yoga, but jiu-jitsu has been an incredible experience. Plus, the boys and Vivian are training too. It's great for discipline and conditioning."
"Wow, that sounds interesting," Alessandra replied. "And Anja could try it too. She's got a lot of energy and loves trying new things."
"Perfect! Why don't you come with me to a class? My teacher is fantastic. You'll love it."
Anja, who had been listening to the conversation while scrolling through her phone, looked at her mother and said, "Come on, Mom! It sounds like fun."
"Okay, okay," Alessandra agreed, laughing. "But don't judge me if I fall face first on the mat!"
The next day, Gisele took Alessandra and Anja to Iron Will. Alessandra seemed a little nervous, while Anja, full of energy, was excited for what was to come.
"So, this is the place," Gisele said as she parked.
Ricardo was at the door, waiting for them. He greeted Gisele with a warm smile and then turned his attention to the visitors.
"You must be Alessandra," he said, extending his hand.
"And you must be the famous Ricardo," Alessandra replied, shaking his hand.
"And this is my daughter, Anja," she continued.
Ricardo looked at Anja and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Anja. I hope you're ready to have some fun on the mat."
"Of course!" Anja replied, clearly excited.
After changing in the locker room, Alessandra and Anja came out dressed in the white kimonos provided by the gym. Alessandra seemed a little out of her comfort zone, but Anja was excited.
Ricardo gathered everyone on the mat for an introduction. "We have two new students today. Alessandra and Anja, welcome. We'll start with a basic warm-up and then move on to some simple techniques."
He led the group through stretches and mobility exercises, patiently explaining the movements. Alessandra, even though she was a beginner, found the atmosphere friendly and relaxed.
Ricardo began by teaching the basic falling technique and how to fall safely.
"Now, Alessandra, just relax. I'll show you how to fall without hurting yourself," Ricardo said, holding her arm to demonstrate.
"Falling without hurting myself? Let's see if that's possible," Alessandra joked, drawing laughter from the others.
Patiently, Ricardo guided the movements, and Alessandra managed to execute her first fall.
"See? It wasn't that bad," he said, smiling.
"Okay, I admit, it was kind of fun," she replied, laughing.
Meanwhile, Anja was already practicing with Vivian and Benjamin, quickly getting the hang of it.
"You're doing great, Anja," Vivian commented.
"Thanks! That's cooler than I thought," Anja replied, as she tried a more advanced move.
After the falls, Ricardo taught a simple ground control technique. He divided the students into pairs, with Alessandra training with Gisele and Anja with Benjamin.
"Alê, you have to put your arm here," Gisele explained, adjusting her friend's position.
"You look so natural doing this," Alessandra said, impressed. "I feel like a statue."
"It's a matter of practice. Soon you'll be as comfortable as I am," Gisele said, encouraging her.
Ricardo watched closely, correcting positions and offering tips. He could see that Alessandra and Anja were having fun, and that pleased him.
After an hour and a half of training, Ricardo gathered everyone together to end the class with a stretch and a few words of encouragement.
"You did really well today, especially our beginners. Alessandra and Anja, I hope you enjoyed it," he said.
"We really enjoyed it!" Alessandra replied. "You have a really good approach, Ricardo. You make us feel comfortable, even though it's something new."
"That's great to hear. You're always welcome," he replied.
Anja, who was still full of energy, asked, "Mom, can we come back tomorrow?"
"Let's take it easy, Anja," Alessandra said, laughing. "But maybe in the future."
Before they left, some students asked to take pictures with Alessandra and Gisele. Alessandra, as always, was charismatic and playful, posing with the students while laughing at their poses on the mat.
"This one goes out to social media," said one of the students, showing the photo.
"Just don't forget that I almost fell on my head," joked Alessandra, causing more laughter.
On the way out, as the children ran ahead, Alessandra commented to Gisele:
"You were right. It was a lot of fun. And I loved Ricardo. He's a great teacher."
"I knew you would like it. He's incredible at what he does," replied Gisele.
"And you seem very happy here, Gi. I can see that this place is good for you," said Alessandra.
"It really is. And having my children and now you guys training just makes everything even better."
The two smiled, knowing that this experience was yet another special memory that they would share forever.
Alessandra and Anja's visit to the mat brought new energy to the routine of Gisele and her family. For Ricardo, it was another opportunity to show how jiu-jitsu can connect people and create unforgettable moments. And, who knows, maybe he had gained new students that day.
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