Chapter 98 – Back to Routine
After all the worldwide attention his donations received and the positive impact they generated, Jacob Stewart felt the need to return to his routine.
He never sought to be a symbol of philanthropy, nor did he want it to interfere with his life. His goal was clear: to stay focused, continue evolving, and always be ready for the challenges that came his way.
Now, he was back in Los Angeles, following his disciplined training regime.
It was 5 a.m. when the alarm clock rang.
Jacob opened his eyes and immediately felt the energy of another day. He got up, did a quick stretch, and walked to the kitchen, where Lucky, his Belgian Malinois, was already awake and wagging his tail.
"Good morning, partner," Jacob said, petting the dog.
The day would begin with a beach run, followed by Jiu-Jitsu, tactical shooting, gym work, and finally, calisthenics.
The routine was intense, but that's how he felt alive.
Jacob put on his black compression shorts, a gray dry-fit tank top, and a cap, then slipped on his running shoes.
Before leaving, he grabbed a cup of black coffee without sugar, drank it quickly, and called Lucky.
The beach was quiet at that hour; only a few surfers and morning runners were enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of the waves.
He started running at a moderate pace, feeling his muscles awaken. Lucky ran beside him, always attentive to his owner's movements.
After 3 km, Jacob began to accelerate.
The wind whipped against his face, and his body worked at maximum performance. Each stride was firm, his feet touching the sand with precision.
At the end of the 10th km, he slowed down to catch his breath, gazing at the horizon.
The sun was already beginning to rise in the sky, tinging the ocean water with golden hues.
"Nothing like starting the day like this," he thought.
After a few minutes of walking to cool down, Jacob grabbed a thermos from his backpack and took a few sips of coconut water.
Now it was time to go home and prepare for the next part of the training.
7:30 AM – Jiu-Jitsu Training at the Academy
Jacob drove to the martial arts academy where he regularly trained. As soon as he entered, he found his coach, Marcus, an experienced black belt who had fought in the biggest championships in the world.
"Hey, champ? Ready to take a beating today?" Marcus joked, giving Jacob a light punch on the shoulder.
"I'll try to fight back this time," Jacob laughed, while tying his belt.
The mat was damp with the sweat of the students who had already trained. The smell of effort and dedication hung in the air.
After warming up, Jacob began practicing positioning, sweeps, and submissions.
During an intense roll with one of the academy's brown belts, he managed to lock in a perfect triangle choke.
"Damn it..." his opponent tapped Jacob's leg three times, signaling submission.
Marcus smiled.
"Now that's more like it! That's it, Jacob. Your game is getting more and more balanced. But don't get too excited, because now it's my turn."
Jacob knew Marcus was a monster on the mat, and the roll was brutal. Marcus passed the guard with precision, dominated positions, and applied pressure at the right time.
Even though he was very strong and athletic, Jacob was still a few steps behind technically. But that was exactly why he trained with the best.
After an hour and a half of training, his kimono was soaked.
"Great training today, Jacob," Marcus said, patting him on the back. "Your stamina is incredible, man."
"I'm trying to keep up with you guys." — Jacob laughed, removing the headband and taking a deep breath.
He took a quick shower and headed to the next training session of the day.
10:00 AM – Tactical Shooting at the Training Range
Jacob drove to a private tactical shooting range where he used to train.
There, he met his instructor, Ethan Walker, a former Delta Force specialist in CQB (Close Quarters Battle) and urban combat.
— Let's see if your trigger finger is still sharp? — Ethan said, handing Jacob a customized Glock 19, with a compensator and holographic sight.
The training began with shooting on the move.
Jacob quickly advanced between obstacles, drawing his pistol, aiming, and firing at targets with surgical precision.
— Two shots to the head, damn fast. I liked it. — Ethan analyzed the impacts.
Afterwards, they moved on to AR-15 training, practicing long and short-range shots.
Jacob always sought to improve his accuracy, speed, and reaction time, knowing that in film every detail counted to make action scenes more authentic.
The last exercise was the most intense: simulated combat inside a tactical house.
Jacob entered the dark environment, using a flashlight attached to his pistol to illuminate the corners, eliminating "threats" (moving targets) with precise shots.
As he exited, Ethan smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"You could easily have pursued a military career, man."
Jacob laughed.
"I'm glad you don't need to. But like was time to be prepared."
The workout was finished, and now it was time to go to the gym.
1:00 PM – Gym Workout
Jacob arrived at the gym where he did his weight training.
His personal trainer, Ryan, was already waiting.
"—Today is leg day, champ."
Jacob rolled his eyes.
"—Let's go."
The workout started with free squats, where Jacob did 5 heavy sets.
Then he moved on to deadlifts, dumbbell lunges, leg extensions, and calf raises.
His muscles burned, but the feeling of accomplishment kept him going.
When he finished, he drank a protein shake and moved on to the next workout of the day.
4:00 PM – Calisthenics and Mobility
Now it was time to train calisthenics and mobility, something essential for his physique and agility.
He started with pull-ups, doing variations like muscle-ups and explosive pull-ups.
Then, he moved on to parallel bars, practicing dips and advanced balance movements.
He finished with a circuit of handstands, pull-ups, and planches—skills that helped maintain his impeccable body control.
At the end of the workout, he was exhausted but satisfied.
Jacob took a deep breath and looked at the horizon.
Another day successfully completed.
He went home, took a long shower, and relaxed on the sofa with Lucky by his side.
Tomorrow, the routine would continue.
Chapter 99 – Coachella in Style
March flew by. The workouts, the commitments, the intense routine… everything went according to plan. But now it was April, and that meant only one thing: Coachella.
Jacob had always loved the festival. Not just for the music, but for the energy, the people, and the fact that it was a time to relax and have fun. This year, he had been invited to attend the event along with some special friends:
Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Gal Gadot.
It was quite a company. Powerful, independent women who knew how to have fun.
The sky was clear and blue when Jacob's private jet landed in Palm Springs. The festival was in Indio, California, and they still had a short drive to get there.
As Jacob stepped off the private jet, he sported a casual yet stylish look:
An oversized white t-shirt,
A slightly distressed denim jacket,
Black shorts above the knee,
Brown Chelsea boots,
And, of course, classic Ray-Ban sunglasses.
He grabbed his light suitcase and walked towards the waiting car. Sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid arrived on another jet, but practically at the same time.
"Look who arrived in style!" joked Gigi, stepping out of the car in a stunning boho-chic outfit.
Bella, beside her, smiled and adjusted her sunglasses.
"Jacob never misses an opportunity to look like an action movie character, does he?"
He laughed, greeting them with warm hugs.
"And you two? Always looking like you stepped straight out of a Vogue editorial."
Seconds later, Gal Gadot arrived, wearing a black cropped top, ripped jeans, and black leather boots. "If you only knew how much I need this after the last recordings…" Gal said, stretching.
Jacob greeted her with a hug.
"It's going to be a great weekend. I promise."
With everyone gathered, they got into the luxury SUV that would take them to the house they had rented near the festival.
Before heading straight to the festival, they decided to settle into the house first.
It was a modern-style mansion, with large glass windows, an infinity pool, and impeccable decor. The place was already stocked with food, drinks, and everything they might need.
Jacob threw his suitcase into one of the bedrooms and went down to the living room, where he found Gigi and Bella exploring the bar.
"So? First drink before we go?" Gigi asked, holding a bottle of tequila.
"Why not?" Jacob replied, taking a glass.
Gal Gadot appeared with a smile.
— I hope nobody plans to drink too much before the festival…
— Just enough to get in the mood, Bella replied, laughing.
They clinked glasses and drank, enjoying the moment.
After a while of relaxing, they started getting ready for the first night of the festival.
Coachella was bursting with life.
The colorful lights, the gigantic stages, the thousands of excited fans dressed in all sorts of styles… it was a spectacle in itself.
As soon as they arrived at the VIP area, the cameras immediately turned to them.
Photographers captured every step, and fans recorded the moment on their cell phones.
— Yeah, I think we're attracting a little attention. — Jacob joked, putting on his sunglasses.
Gigi laughed.
— Well, it's not our fault if we're an amazing group, right?
The first show of the night was The Weeknd, and everyone was excited. Bella Hadid, who already had a history with the singer, kept a smile on her face, but Jacob sensed something was amiss.
"Everything alright, Bella?" he asked, approaching her.
She looked at him and smiled.
"Yeah, just memories. But it's part of it."
Jacob nodded and hugged her from the side for a few seconds, a gesture of comfort without needing words.
Soon, the music started, and the group got into the groove.
Gal Gadot danced casually, Gigi filmed some moments, and Jacob simply enjoyed the incredible vibe.
During a break between songs, a fan approached Jacob.
"Dude, I'm a huge fan! You're the best actor around, no joke!"
Jacob smiled and shook the guy's hand.
"Thanks, bro! Enjoying the festival?"
"Totally! But seeing you here was the best part."
After some photos with fans, they went back to enjoying the night's shows. When the main shows ended, it didn't mean the night was over. They were invited to a secret after-party, hosted by one of the biggest names in music.
The venue was a secluded mansion, filled with neon lights, famous DJs, and a lively atmosphere.
Jacob grabbed a drink and walked around, greeting friends from the industry.
Suddenly, he felt someone pull him by the arm.
It was Gal Gadot, smiling.
"I demand you dance to at least one song before you just stand there observing everything like a secret agent."
He laughed.
"Okay, okay. But only because you asked."
The two went to the dance floor, and Jacob really let himself enjoying of the moment.
Next to them, Gigi and Bella were also dancing, excitedly.
The energy was contagious, and the night seemed magical.
Jacob looked around and realized how perfect everything was.
He had been through a lot in recent years challenges, intense training, hard work but moments like this were a reminder that life also needed to be celebrated.
And that night, he would do exactly that.
pat/SHADOWGHOST07