Lost In His Tracks (boyxboy)

CHAPTER 1

"I'll see you around Mateo"

"I'll see you around too, Alejandro"

As simple as it is, that very conversation was a memory that won't be forgotten by Mateo Garcia. Summer in Spain was memorable as it is for Mateo. The cobblestone streets, kissed by the relentless sun, lead to hidden tapas bars where the scent of grilled seafood and the clink of glasses create an enticing ambiance. Along the shimmering coasts, turquoise waves gently caress sandy shores, inviting sunseekers to bask in the Mediterranean glow.

 Of course, these would be experiences for Mateo if he didn't grow up impoverished and wasn't a child of a maid that was earning below minimum wage. It was a scene, rather, that he saw growing up when he was helping around his mother doing household chores for the Diaz family. He spent the entirety of his childhood summer days with his mom and often play with Alejandro, the second son of the Diaz household, he was also around Mateo's age.

Time can never erase the memory of summer of 2007 where his mom brought him along inside the Diaz household. He heard stories from his mom that Alejandro Diaz Sr, the Padre de Familia, was a well-known F1 racer during his youth. Mateo didn't know much about F1 racing considering the only thing the form of entertainment he knew while growing up in his village back in Ronda, a mountainous province in Malanga Spain, was playing outside with the other kids or watching those over-dramatic telenovelas that his grandmother would always watch during the afternoons. 

When he first arrived in Barcelona and stepped inside the Diaz household, he saw the endless trophies and awards that has Alejandro Diaz Sr. imprinted over them. He couldn't forget seeing a gold trophy inside the trophy case and those bold names of Alejandro Diaz Sr. were imbedded as it shines proudly against the light. The trophy, resplendent in its gleaming glory, stood at the center of the trophy case, basking in the soft illumination that cast a warm glow over its polished surface. Its metallic brilliance caught the ambient light, creating reflections that danced across the intricate Alejandro Diaz Sr's engravings and contours.

He didn't also forget the endless pictures over Alejandro Diaz Sr and his wife, Elena Diaz, being put up all over the living room. He never understood that these pictures can be made into a portrait whilst being displayed graciously.

His life back at his hometown was much different compare to the city. The life he had over here in the city was still impoverished but, in a way, privileged that the Diaz family gave him and his mother a nice room to stay which is far from the mansion itself. When he met Alejandro Jr, Alejandro Sr's second son, who adapted his name, made his stay inside the Diaz household fun. He first saw Alejandro when he saw the Diaz family portrait but never got to interact with him until a faithful afternoon happened.

***

Beneath the scorching mid-morning sun, Mateo devoted his entire morning to meticulously pruning the lush bushes that adorned the landscape. His skilled hands moved with precision, ensuring that each trim was executed flawlessly to maintain the bush's optimal shape. It was surprising for a nine-year-old to know what a "perfect" bush looked like. He watched his mother do the cutting before he was given the task. Thank God that he was a fast learner after all.

Engrossed in his task, Mateo became aware of subtle footsteps approaching from behind, disrupting the rhythmic symphony of rustling leaves and snipping shears. As he turned, a pleasant surprise awaited him – none other than Alejandro Jr. Revealed against the backdrop of the sunlit garden, Alejandro Jr.'s striking features came into focus. His expressive, oversized eyes, adorned with the sparkle of rich coffee brown hues and framed by long, luxurious eyelashes, added a captivating depth to his round, stubby face. A cute button nose adorned his face, and the sun's intense rays imparted a rosy blush to his skin, accentuating his resemblance to his father in a remarkable fashion.