Page 22 of Sweet Poison

One by one, they stand to greet me, and I can see the spark of enthusiasm in their eyes. It’s clear they’re not just excited about the meeting, but about being here in Brazil, too. Green Planet Lab gathered the best in our field for this research trip. We are a team with different specialties but with the same goal.

To help the planet.

Maya Dávila, our Mycologist with a specialty in fungal and taxonomy and systematics is the first to catch my eye. Maya’s beauty is striking, with her rich, warm complexion and expressive dark eyes that seem to sparkle with every joyous laugh. She’s Puerto Rican, and there’s something so effortlessly captivating about her, from the way her dark curls cascade over her shoulders to the way she smiles, radiating genuine warmth and friendliness. “Willow! You’re here. Aren’t you so excited to be in Brazil?” Maya exclaims while signing, her eyes shining the same as the twinkling Christmas lights hanging from the ceiling. “It’s so beautiful and oh my God the Christmas decor is so fun. It reminds me of Christmas in Puerto Rico.”

“It is really beautiful,” I sign while joining them at the table. I take a seat, feeling the soft cushion beneath me, and glance around at their smiling faces.

“Glad you made it okay, honey.” Next to Maya is Bernie, our Plant-Microbe ecologist. Bernie Castillo is a medium-built handsome Dominican man. His skin is a striking rich brown while his eyes look just like melting honey. Bernie is the life of the room in any setting with his mischievous smiles and playful nature.

“We’re so lucky to be chosen. This is going to be one awesome Christmas.” Cleo is sitting across from us, and her presence as always is both calming and engaging. Just like Maya, Cleo is very beautiful but whereas Maya’s beauty is exotic, Cleo has the type of beauty that is rare with her fair skin and black as night, wavy hair. Her eyes are a soft blue that light up every time she talks about things she loves. Like me, Cleo is a bit reserved and shy.

Finally, there’s Ethan, seated beside Cleo. He’s a handsome white man with kind eyes and a warm, easy smile. His eyes are a striking shade of gray that complement his light brown hair. Ethan has this effortless charisma that makes people feel safe when around him.

“I’ve saved you a spot,” Ethan signs with a grin, gesturing to the empty chair next to him. The conversation picks up seamlessly as I take my seat. Placing my backpack and notebook on top of the marvel table, I feel a wave of contentment wash over me.

You’re safe here, Willow…I tell myself as I pull up the rest of my note for this project.

“Alright, let’s get into the specifics of our research, shall we?” Maya begins. “Aside from delving into fungi and their fascinating parallels with human biology we’re also here to find endangered species of fungi to document it.” That’s the part of our research that brings me the most joy.

Maya nods eagerly. “Yes! I’m particularly interested in studying the symbiotic relationships fungi have with their environment. From my research I gather that Brazil’s diverse ecosystems offer a unique opportunity to study these interactions in depth. The way certain fungi form mutualistic relationships with plants and other organisms has always been so interesting to me and it could give us valuable insights into their roles in nutrient cycling and ecosystem health.”

Yup. That too.

Bernie leans forward, clearly excited about his focus. “I’m diving into the effects of fungal symbiosis on plant health, growth, and resistance to disease. I’m also very excited to study the record structural similarities between fungi and human cells. It’s incredible how fungi have cell walls that are structurally similar to our own cell membranes in some ways. Exploring these similarities could help us understand how fungi might offer new perspectives on human health and disease.”

Cleo, with a thoughtful expression, adds, “I’m really fascinated by the potential medical applications of fungi. Their ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds is just astonishing. I’m eager to investigate indigenous knowledge about medicinal fungi and how these traditional uses align with modern scientific findings.”

Ethan chimes in with a grin, “And I’m looking into the evolutionary aspects of fungi. Brazil’s rich biodiversity means we’ll have the chance to study a wide range of fungal species. Understanding their evolutionary pathways could provide insights into how fungi adapt to different environments and what that might reveal about our own evolutionary history.”

The discussion flows effortlessly as we share our individual research focuses and how they intersect. The room is charged with enthusiasm, and each of us is clearly passionate about our specific areas of study. “How about you, Willow?” Ethan signs.

“I’m thrilled about all the potential discoveries we’ll make,” I sign, feeling the excitement of working on something I love so much bubbling up. “Brazil’s ecosystems are so diverse, and the fungi here could reveal new insights into their similarities with human biology.”

As our conversation continues, we delve more into the logistics of our research, discussing fieldwork plans, potential challenges, and the incredible opportunities that await us.

I’m halfway through explaining what I predict will be potential breakthroughs we might achieve with our research when the door swings open. I glance up, my words faltering as a striking and handsome figure of a man who has been a part of all my secret dreams and fantasies steps into the conference room, flanked by a large, imposing bodyguard.

So, my mind didn’t conjure him. It’s really him…

I look at him still unable to believe he’s actually here.

He’s stunningly handsome, too handsome to be considered real. His black slacks are impeccably tailored, and his white dress shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to reveal well-defined tattooed forearms, adds to his dark and commanding aura. His black hair is slicked back, accentuating the intense black eyes that seem to absorb the room’s light. His beauty reminds me of those Greek statues and it’s really hard to look away.

As the man strides into the room, his presence almost commands the air to shift. He glances around with a detached, almost bored expression, clearly unimpressed by everyone in the room. His dark eyes flit over the team, and he seems ready to dismiss us altogether.

Deja vu… that’s how it feels.

I still remember that same look as he stared at the world around him when he was a young and angry boy.

I see him take a breath, looking annoyed, as if he’s seconds away from leaving the room— until his empty gaze lands on me.The moment our eyes meet, it’s as if the entire world fades into a blur. My team murmurs, the elegant and cheerful surroundings—it all dissolves into the background, leaving just the intensity of this man’s stare and the sudden, jarring realization that hits me like a wave.

It really is him. This is not a dream and I’m not just seeing things. It was him— the man I’d seen in the resort lobby. He’s not the boy I remember. He’s not even the man I saw at his last race on the TV.

He has more facial hair now than he did before but his features are unmistakable. His dark hair and equally dark eyes that hold many secrets, the arrogance and commanding—they all come together in a perfect, albeit unexpected, revelation. I’m struck by the dawning recognition that it really is the beautiful boy I knew from my childhood.

Madden Hunt.

But it’s not only his beautiful face that holds me captive, it is the flood of memories that comes rushing back.

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