Page 10

Chapter

Nine

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

Willow

“I’m losing my damn mind over a fairy. Fuck, I’m so fucked.” –M

I ’m staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror as I adjust my mint-green, skin-tight skirt. The fit is perfect, hugging every curve just right, and I’ve paired it with a white tube-top that complements the subtle tan of my skin. This isn’t my usual outfit. I usually feel more comfortable in baggy jeans and oversized shirts, but I decided to try something new. I was lucky that Mom had been a bit sneaky and slipped fashionable and cute outfits into my luggage.

Running my hands through my hair, I let it cascade down my back in wild, curly waves. As always, I’ve kept my makeup minimal—just a touch of mascara and a hint of lip gloss to add a subtle blush. I feel most comfortable in my natural skin. While all my cousins loved playing with makeup as little girls and now create some wicked makeup looks as adults, it's just not me.

Playing with my mother’s necklace around my neck, my thoughts keep drifting back to this morning. To him.

Madden.

Seeing him again felt like stepping into a dream—or maybe a bittersweet memory. When I saw him enter the conference room with his huge bodyguard in tow my heart skipped a thousand beats. There he was, my once friend and foster brother, now my favorite Formula 1 racer, standing just a few feet away from me in the same hotel I was staying at for the holidays. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I really thought my mind had conjured him up while I waited for the elevator doors to close.

He looked so incredibly handsome it almost hurt to look at him. Staring at Madden once felt like gazing directly at the sun. I still remember the first time we first met— how a warmth spread through me, igniting something deep inside. I was just a child who knew nothing of love except the love she felt for her family, but I sensed that Madden meant something— something beautiful. But we aren’t kids anymore and he’s different. He looked bored, distant, almost dead inside as he listened to what my colleagues had to say about our research.

He was quiet and angry when we first met, but little by little, he let me into his beautiful heart, and I got to know the sweet boy he truly was. So, seeing the dead look in his eyes now felt jarring and so painfully heartbreaking.

It’s surreal to think that for so many years I’ve only ever seen him through screens and glossy magazine covers, and there he was, right in front of me, as the owner of this magical resort. He’s not the boy I knew, and it hits me that to Madden, I’m nothing more than a faded memory in a sea of faces he’s seen since then.

But then the brief flicker of recognition in his eyes makes me believe that, maybe just maybe, he did remember me.

And as I watched him interact with everyone around him, I felt a pang of sadness. It’s clear he’s moved on from the past, made something of himself, and proven all those doubters wrong. It makes me happy seeing him succeed, even if it’s from a distance.

I sigh as I glance at my reflection again, trying to shake off the melancholy the sudden thoughts brought. I’m eager to see what this evening holds, but a part of me is still stuck in that moment when I got lost in his dark gaze. It made me feel like no time had passed and it was just the two of us reading about mushrooms inside our little green world.

“Get over it, Willow…” I whisper to the empty room then add, “You’re no one to him.”

As I’m putting the finishing touches on my outfit, my phone buzzes with a video call. I tap the screen, and my cousins Ella and Raiza appear, their faces lighting up the small window in the corner of my screen.

Happiness blooms inside my chest chasing out the bittersweet feelings as I look at my cousins’ lovely faces.

“Oh hey, gorgeous!” Ella teases while signing with a wide smile. Raiza waves from behind her, a wide grin on her face. “Sunshine, you look hot. Where are you off too?” From the looks of it Raiza is in Montana visiting Ella and her family. I’m shocked since she swore she would never step foot in and I quote, “Horseshitville.”

I blush at Raiza’s compliment. “Thank you. I’m just getting ready for the welcome dinner with the team,” I reply, turning slightly so they can get a better view of my outfit. “What do you think? Is it too much? Should I change? I feel a bit silly.”

Raiza’s eyes widen with approval. “Don’t you dare! You look hot as hell. Green has always been your color.”

Ella nods in agreement. “I think you might steal a few hearts tonight.”

I wave her off then play with my mother’s necklace, a nervous habit of mine. “Oh, please. I’m just here for work.”

Ella rolls her eyes and leans in closer to the camera, her pink sundress flowing softly around her. She looks absolutely gorgeous, while Raiza, standing behind her dressed entirely in black, exudes a dark, captivating allure—like a sexy, female version of the Grim Reaper. “Try to enjoy yourself, yeah, Low?” she says with a teasing smile. “And remember you’re always the most interesting person in the room and don’t you ever think otherwise.”

“That’s not true,” I sign while laughing. I’m a nerd and people only seem to notice me when they realize I use sign language to communicate or the cochlear implant in my ear.

It’s okay.

I like who I am.

How could I not?

The most magical humans created me.

“Ella is right. You’re a babe and your brain is so hot,” Raiza adds. “Have fun tonight and don’t fall in love, please. Everyone seems to be falling victim to the damn thing. Even my brother. It’s got Aza, too!” She looks horrified and genuinely worried. “I’m beginning to think it’s contagious.”

I chuckle at that. I can’t take her seriously at times.

“Hush, Rai,” Ella says, rolling her eyes. “Love is an incredible feeling, and you both deserve one that’s as amazing and magical as it gets.”

“You shut your damn mouth.” Raiza leans closer to the camera. “Love is useless.”

“Love is everything,” Ella snaps back.

I laugh at both of them and their banter then I see a notification pop. It’s from Cleo telling me they’re at the table and asking where I am. I glance at the clock and realize it’s almost time to head down to the lobby. “I’ve got to go,” I say, “but I’ll call you guys later. Thanks for calling and making me laugh!”

“You’re not a victim, Low. Remember that. Don’t fall!” Raiza signs at the same time Ella signs the words “Have fun!” As I end the call and pocket the phone inside a small clutch with a mushroom design.

I take one last look in the mirror, and make sure I look okay. “You got this, Willow.” I tell myself before I head out of the suite, ready to have a nice night close to the beach.

There’s nothing more beautiful than watching the sunset at the beach. The soft light has settled over the open-air restaurant, casting a warm glow from the twinkling Christmas decorations strung across the palm trees and the lights lining the beachfront. My colleagues and I are seated at a table draped with a festive red-and-white cloth, our chatter mingling with the gentle crash of waves against the shore.

Taking my phone out I take a picture of the sunset and post it on my social media with the caption with the wave, sunset and heart eyes emojis. I don’t post a lot on social media but here and there I do so I can update the rest of my cousins. The first comment is of my cousin Roman who leaves a string of red hearts. Roman is the son of my uncle Lucan who is my Dad’s only sibling. Uncle Lucan married Aunt Andrea and they have three kids together. Roman, Allegra and Artemis. My cousins are all famous and very successful not only because they’re heirs of their parents’ empires but because the three of them are hardworking and creative. They took their parents’ success as fashion and artistic icons and made it their own.

As I scroll through my cousin’s comments on my post, Bernie, Cleo, Maya, and Ethan talk about our schedule for tomorrow. We’re all excited about exploring the Amazon Rainforest, hoping to find the rare fungi that are teetering on the brink of extinction and will contribute to our research. We’ve been discussing it nonstop since we sat down at the table. The excitement of discovering more species has us animated, and the conversation flows easily.

“I can’t wait to explore the Amazon. This is a once in a lifetime experience and I can’t believe I get to do that tomorrow. Mamá estaría tan orgullosa .” Maya says at the same time she signs, her eyes sparkling bright.

“ I always dreamed of visiting the Amazon forest.” I move my hands animatedly just as excited as all of them.

It’s true.

When I was little my Mom gifted me a book that showed the flora around the world and there was a whole chapter about the Amazon. I loved reading about it and I hoped one day I could explore it and now I’m here.

Dreams come true when you work hard and believe. Mom always says that and she’s not wrong.

Our conversation is briefly interrupted by a young waiter who approaches us, his lighted Christmas hat perched crookedly atop his head. His smile is as bright as the twinkling lights of his hat and all around us, and he exudes a contagious energy that makes me smile. The name on his tag reads Eugenio.

“Hello. Are you all ready to order?” He asks using sign language.

That won’t ever stop surprising me.

Bernie, the most outgoing of the group and the one always up for new experiences, looks up at Ernesto. “Oh, yes. What do you recommend? We’re new to all things Brazil!” he says, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.

Ernesto’s brown eyes light up, and he launches into an enthusiastic explanation of the restaurant’s menu. “Welcome. Welcome! If you’re looking for something truly Brazilian, I’d suggest trying the moqueca . It’s a fantastic seafood stew with coconut milk and spices—absolutely delicious. And the feijoada is a must-try if you’re in the mood for something satisfying. It’s a black bean stew with pork. Both are particularly popular with our guests. And if you’re looking for something sweet to end the meal, you can’t go wrong with a classic Brazilian dessert like brigadeiros —chocolate truffles rolled in sprinkles.”

Cleo raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “ Brigadeiros sound tasty. We’ll definitely have to try those, guys.” We all nod in agreement.

As Ernesto takes our orders, I catch myself smiling, feeling happy and at ease despite the odd mix of nostalgia and melancholy I felt earlier while thinking of Madden Hunt. It feels nice to be surrounded by my colleagues as we enjoy a nice dinner with a beautiful view and a festive atmosphere that adds a touch of magic to the evening.

There’s just something about this country that feels so magical— magical and surreal.

As Ernesto finishes jotting down our orders, the distant sound of cheerful music catches our attention. It’s a fun melody of Christmas songs that fills the air with an infectious cheer and mingles with the salty breeze. I glance around looking for where the music is coming from and notice a small stage set up nearby, where a group of performers in festive red and white costumes is entertaining a crowd of kids with lively holiday tunes and games.

The sight is as captivating as it is heartwarming. The talented performers are dancing and singing with such energy and joy that it’s impossible not to be drawn in. The kids around the stage are clapping and jumping around with the music, their sweet faces lit up with the sport of the holiday.

Bernie nudges me with a grin.

Ernesto gives us a knowing smile. “The resort puts on a Christmas show every night and it is one of our highlights. As you can tell it is a great way for everyone to get into the holiday spirit and experience some local culture. You should see it. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“We will. Thank you.” Ethan says politely before taking a sip of wine.

I watch the show from a distance enjoying how as the music continues, the performers transition into a medley of classic carols, their voices blending harmoniously with the lively rhythms of a Brazilian beat. The sound is warm and festive to the evening atmosphere. I watch as the crowd’s reactions range from delighted children to smiling couples. I’m glad I decided to join my team tonight. It’s just too bad that Uncle Cianne opted to not come. He said he was tired but I know that's a lie. My uncle is never tired. What he is though is a huge sneak. He’s probably hiding in the bushes right now making sure I’m safe from a distance.

While we wait for our food to arrive, I pull out my phone and find the perfect spot with the festive lights shimmering in the background and take a quick selfie. Choosing the one I like best, I tap on my family group chat, which includes my Mom, Dad, all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. I send the selfie with a message.

Me: “Hey everyone! Wish you all could be here with me. The resort is like the north pole but a tropical version and the food is delicious! Missing you all soooo much. ”

The replies come instantly.

Mommy: Oh, baby. It looks like you’re having a great time!

Daddy: Look at my beautiful girl.

Aunty Ari: You look gorgeous, Little Stelina.

Uncle Bastian: Maybe we should all take a trip there next year?

Uncle Vitali: That sounds painful…

Aunty K: Vi…

Aunty K: Willow, could you please take your little cousin with you on your next trip? She needs some holiday cheer. She’s starting to scare the kids with her Scrooge mood.

Rai: MOM!

More texts come through but they’re mostly my uncles text fighting with each other and my father. So I switch to my chat with Aunt Maeve, Uncle Callam, grandpa and Uncle Bain. I send them a photo of a palm tree with twinkling lights and ornaments.

Me: “Hi, Uncles. Hi Aunty and grandpa! I miss you already. I’m doing okay! I’m having dinner with the team at a super jolly beach restaurant. Can’t wait to tell you all about my day at the Amazon Rainforest tomorrow. Hope you’re all doing well! ”

I hit send and watch as the messages whoosh away, feeling a pang of homesickness and affection with a surge of excitement bubbling up. Sharing every moment and experiences with my family, even from afar, makes it all even more special. As I’m about to tuck my phone back into my clutch, I catch a glimpse of Madden sitting alone at a nearby table nursing a drink. My heart skips a beat and butterflies go off in my stomach as I watch him. He looks so handsome dressed in black slacks and a black short sleeve shirt. His black hair looks messy as if he ran his fingers through it and his brooding black eyes command attention. But as I observe him, I can’t help but notice the emptiness in his posture. He looks so lonely… his gaze lost somewhere beyond the joyful chaos of the restaurant.

My chest starts to ache as a pang of sympathy tugs at me. The scene this morning as he dealt with the team so distant and detached. Seeing him now, he looks just the same. He doesn’t pay attention to the sea at his left or even the show at his right. He doesn’t seem interested at all. The festive decorations and Christmas songs seem to amplify how lonely and grumpy he looks. The scene reminds me of the grinch when he first visited WhoVille. Maybe to another person the sight of him would seem comical but not me. I don’t like that look on him. Not at all.

I try to pull my gaze away, feeling a flush of embarrassment when I realize Madden has caught me staring. My cheeks heat up, and I quickly divert my attention back to my colleagues, pretending to be deeply interested in their conversation. What must he be thinking about me now? Most likely that I’m weird and nosy. Dammit. Focusing on Cleo as she talks about what she’ll do first once we get to the rainforest, I try to steady my racing heart by tapping my chest repeatedly almost to the rhythm of the music playing.

Thud.

Thud.

No matter how many times I tap my chest, my heart keeps beating wildly and heat crawls up my neck as a feeling of being watched lingers. I tell myself not to look, to keep pretending, but I can’t help it. A quick glance sideways reveals that Madden is still watching me. He frowns as if he’s annoyed but there’s a hint of curiosity in his gaze as well. His lips set in a grumpy line. When I’m unable to look away, his black eyes narrow.

My heart races, and my stomach flips with nervousness. I’m the center of his attention, and I don’t know what to do. Should I smile? Should I wave? Would that be too awkward? I try to muster the courage to offer a friendly smile or a wave, but my nerves betray me, and I end up staring down at my empty plate, pretending to be engrossed in the white ceramic. The nerves won’t go away. I remind myself to breathe and to get over it. I’m not a child and he’s just a man. But that’s not completely true. He’s not just a man. He’s a multimillionaire formula 1 champion. One means a lot to a lot of people, including me.

Finding courage from within and pushing through the crippling shyness that seems to cling to me like a second skin at times, I glance up once more, catching him in the act of still watching me, his expression unreadable. I can’t help but wonder what’s going through his mind as he looks at me? Does his stomach feel funny when his eyes meet mine? The spell he’s put me under stretches on, filled with an intense tension, before I finally manage to break eye contact again and refocus on the enchanting atmosphere around me and my colleagues. A long while passes and it’s spent chatting about the research project and ordering more fruity tropical drinks when I find myself stealing another glance toward Madden’s table, only to find it empty. I frown and feel a pang of disappointment. He left. I’m about to turn my attention back to my table when I hear the scraping sound of a chair being pulled out next to me.

My heart gallops when I look up to find Madden standing next to me. He pauses for a moment, looking at each of us, before finally breaking the silence. “Do you mind if I join you?” he asks, his voice husky, with just a hint of gruffness.

The table goes quiet, and all eyes turn to me. The team looks at me curiously almost in shock and my nerves intensify as all eyes are on me. I try to get my head to nod but I’m frozen and my throat feels dry.

Bernie, ever the diplomat, clears his throat and offers a warm smile. “Of course, Mr. Hunt. Please join us. We’d be happy to have you.”

Madden nods and settles into the chair next to mine as if he could care less that he’s here. So why is he?

Cleo, Maya, and Ethan exchange glances, their expressions ranging from curious to slightly bewildered.

We all watch as he takes a sip of his drink and seems to relax slightly, though the grumpy edge still lingers. I’m acutely aware of his proximity, the space between us charged with an undercurrent of tension. Feeling my eyes on him, he pins me with his gaze mid drink.

Not knowing what to say, I wave hello at him.

Ugh. I try hard not to cringe.

Madden raises a dark brow, his expression softening just a fraction. Huh.

I can’t help but notice the stark contrast between him and everyone else at the table. While my colleagues and I are dressed in various shades of red, green, and white, embracing the Christmas spirit, Madden is a beautiful vision in all black—his outfit sleek and stylish but decidedly out of sync with the festive atmosphere around here.

That’s just like him.

I remember many things about him but the one that always stood out was his inability to blend in. I don’t think that’s possible for a man like him.

I stifle a laugh, trying to keep it from escaping as I glance around at my colleagues. Cleo’s in a bright cherry red dress with green accessories and a jingle bells headband, Maya’s wearing a sparkling green top with matching pants, Bernie has a Christmas-themed ugly sweater, and Ethan sports a funny reindeer tie. We’re a kaleidoscope of holiday cheer, while Madden looks like he’s completely over the holiday. It’s quite comical. I find myself chuckling softly to myself. Madden catches my eye and raises an eyebrow, his grumpy demeanor briefly softening as he notices the shaking of my shoulders while I laugh silently.

I quickly cover my mouth, trying to hide my smile.

“What’s so funny?” Madden asks roughly.

I swallow nervously, trying to compose myself before signing. “ Ah. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just... it’s a little funny how you’re the only one not in festive colors. ”

He glances down at his black and gray attire and then his hard eyes come back to me. “Guess I missed the memo on the dress code.”

“ A memo from your own resort? ” I ask, still smiling.

His dark eyes narrow.

“ Y-you look great, though. Very handsome .” I smile awkwardly when his eyes narrow even more.

Before I embarrass myself further I’m saved by Ernesto and two more waiters. They arrive with five beautifully plated dishes, each one a work of art. The aroma of the food makes my mouth water. The waiters place the dishes on the table and they all look more enticing than the last. As Ernesto sets down my plate, I notice there’s a small mix-up. Instead of my vegetarian option, I was brought a plate with a variety of red meat. I look at it in surprise, and I try not to react but I notice the atmosphere around the table briefly stills. I look up from my plate, swallowing hard when I catch Madden’s eyes narrowing, as if he knows something is wrong.

He then surprises everyone at the table when he looks away from me and gives Ernesto all his attention. He doesn’t raise his voice, but there’s a clear edge to his tone as he addresses him. “Ernesto, is it?”

Ernesto nods, seeming nervous. “Yes, sir.”

“Did she ask for this?” Madden picks up the plate and lifts it toward Ernesto.

Ernesto, realizing his mistake, looks at me and apologizes.

Feeling bad for him, I nod and sign back. “ It’s okay .”

“Can you please take this back and bring her what she ordered?”

Ernesto, still visibly flustered, nods quickly and starts to retrieve the incorrect plate. I try to signal to Madden, waving a hand slightly and mouthing that it’s okay, it was just a mistake. But Madden, still maintaining a tight grip on his composure, gestures for the waiter to hurry.

“Thank you,” Madden says, his voice firm yet not unkind, “and bring her back the rainbow explosion for dessert.”

The waiter hurries away, and Madden takes a deep breath before taking another sip of the drink he brought with him. I catch sight of Maya fanning herself as she stares at Madden and I catch Cleo blushing. Even Bernie looks flustered by Madden’s unexpected chivalry.

The only person at the table unaffected by what just happened is Ethan. He looks at Madden with a look I can’t quite decipher. He seems angry, but why would he be angry at Madden? That can’t be it.

Igniting Ethan’s strange reaction to Madden, I sit back and try to process what just happened. Why would he do that for me? I’m confused. Then the realization that he remembers my aversion to meat makes my heart beat faster.

He remembers… maybe I’m not just a memory in a sea of faces after all. The thought of that makes me feel all warm and funny inside.

Noticing that no one is eating I sign and tell them that is okay and to please eat. They all smile before they dig in clearly starving. I then look at Madden and see him scrolling on his phone avoiding small talk even though both Maya and Bernie try to include him in their conversation.

The man really is a bit grumpy.

A few moments later, Ernesto returns with a fresh plate for me. When the plate is set in front of me, I’m taken aback. The dish is a beautifully arranged vegetable platter, presented in a playful, colorful way meant to make eating vegetables fun and appealing. Alongside it is a traditional colonial dish that’s a unique part of the resort’s menu. Ernesto sets a smaller plate with a piece of cake on it. My eyes widen as I take in the sight. My heart skips many beats as I realize that Madden ordered me a dessert from my past, a memory from my childhood that I didn’t expect to see here.

The rainbow explosion is my favorite cake ever.

Confetti cake.

Sweet, colorful and delicious.

The resemblance to mom’s confetti cake is uncanny. He remembered that detail as well. My heart melts at the sweet gesture. I look up from the cake, my eyes meeting black ones. The world around seems to fade, leaving just the two of us in focus. Madden’s expression remains inscrutable, his eyes still holding that familiar gruffness, but there’s something else there—a fleeting hint of the boy he used to be, the one who once brought me so much joy.

As he holds me hostage with his stare, my heart begins to race as deep emotion floods my senses. Not knowing how else to react, I tap my chest three times, trying to calm my speeding heartbeat, hoping it will help me regain composure. Meanwhile, Madden watches me, his gaze steady and contemplative. He doesn’t speak, but the silence between us feels comfortable and familiar.

It feels as if no time has passed at all.

Time stands still. The bustling beach restaurant, the Christmas music, the lively conversations around us—all of it fades into the background. It’s just me and Madden, and no one else.

He doesn’t look away and neither do I.

I think to myself that maybe he’s not what he shows to the world. Maybe behind that broken and gruff exterior there’s the big heart too big for his chest that I got to know when I was just a child.

A moment that feels like a thousand years passes before the spell breaks as Ernesto leaves, and the restaurant's noise slowly returns to the foreground. Madden’s gaze hardens once again and he remains silent, leaving me to wonder what is running through his mind and with a thousand butterflies dancing in my stomach.

I can almost hear the loud thud of my heart as he looks at me with angry eyes and all.

It doesn’t matter because the way he’s looking at me seems as if he can see right through me and as if he could listen to the sound of my heart beating.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My silly heart booms.

He always could listen to more than words could say.

Only him.