[2021]

A woman stood on the stage facing a grand audience as she announced, "Good morning, everyone. It's an absolute pleasure to have you all with us today. I'm especially excited to introduce a true visionary in the tech world, someone who has not only changed the way we connect, shop, and communicate but also redefined entire industries.

Please join me in welcoming our Founder, Vincente Delgado— the mind behind your favourite game or an app that has transformed the way people connect.

Vincente's vision and leadership have shaped the way millions of people experience the world every day. From humble beginnings to being a global powerhouse, he has led our company through innovation, disruption, and, most importantly, creating an impact that has touched lives across the globe.

His relentless drive and passion have not only created a lasting legacy but have also inspired countless entrepreneurs and creators. Today, we're here not just to discuss our successes but to chart the path forward for the future of 'PixelMinds'.

Please join me in welcoming Vincente Delgado!"

The crowd clapped thunderously as a handsome man came onto the stage.

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause as a handsome man stepped onto the stage. He waved at the audience as he made his way to the center, where the applause gradually died down. He took the mic from the woman with a confident smile.

"Hello, I'm ..."

[2004]

"AY! PAPITO, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO CLIMB THERE? COME DOWN! RIGHT NOW!"

A woman shouted at the little cretin up on the tree by the sidewalk.

A crowd was starting to gather around, some trying to calm the emotional woman down while some trying to get the boy down.

One man started to climb the tree, but just as he reached for a branch, he saw the boy descending on his own. The child gripped the trunk, carefully positioning his little feet on the branches.

He stepped onto one of the lower branches, but it suddenly slipped. "AAAAHHHH!!!" The crowd cried out in unison, but none of the shouts were as loud or frantic as the woman's.

In a swift panic, the boy grabbed a nearby sprig, hanging precariously by a single twig about eight feet above the ground.

Two men immediately came under the boy, interlocking their hands, they called out to the kid, "Hey Kid! Let go, we will catch you!"

A couple more people gathered around them on the off chance the kid's trajectory did not align.

The kid looked down and let go of his grip, for a brief second, he seemed to float in the air, the world holding its breath, before landing safely in the arms of the waiting men. They lowered him gently to the ground.

As soon as his feet touched the earth, the woman was there—wrapping him up in a tight embrace. She checked him over frantically, kissing his face repeatedly, her voice trembling with relief.

"Ay, Dios mío, mi papito! Are you okay?" she asked, her hands brushing over him as if to make sure he was truly unharmed.

Seeing the kid nod, "Gracias, gracias," she said fervently to the two men who had caught him, clutching their arms for a moment before turning to the dispersing crowd. "¡Muchas gracias a todos! Qué susto me han dado." (Thank you all very much! "What a scare that gave me.")

As the onlookers moved on, the warmth in her face evaporated. Her slender fingers shot out, grabbing the boy firmly by the ear.

"¡Aaaah! Mamá!" he yelped, hopping on his toes as she dragged him closer.

Her voice rose, fiery and indignant. "¡Tu pequeño diablo! ¿Estás loco o qué? ¿Quieres matarme del susto?" (You little devil! Are you crazy or what? Do you want to scare me to death?) Then, her tone broke, softer, trembling with emotion. "¿Qué haría yo si algo te pasa? ¿Ah? ¡Ay, mi papito, por qué me haces esto!" (What would I do if something happened to you? Oh? Oh, my papito, why are you doing this to me!)

The boy looked down at his shoes, guiltily. "Lo siento, mamá," he muttered, barely audible.

Her grip loosened, and she sighed deeply. Her expression softened as she crouched to meet his eyes. "Está bien, mi amor. Pero la próxima vez, no hagas estas cosas, ¿me escuchas? No quiero perder a mi bebé." (It's okay my love. But next time, don't do these things, you hear me? I don't want to lose my baby.)

He nodded solemnly. "Sí, mamá."

Standing up straight, she smoothed her hair, exhaling the last of her frustration. "Bueno, vámonos. Tenemos que recoger a tu hermano de donde la tía Esmeralda y luego irnos a la casa." (Well, let's go. We have to pick up your brother from Aunt Esmeralda's and then go home.) Suddenly, her voice brightened, a mischievous smile creeping onto her lips. "¿Sabes qué? Tengo una sorpresita para ti." (Did you know? I have a little surprise for you)

The boy's face lit up instantly."¿De verdad, mamá? ¿Qué es?" (Really, mom? What is it?)

She chuckled, waving a hand as she started walking. "¡Ay, no te voy a decir ahora! Primero pórtate bien y camina. ¡Rápido, rápido!" (Oh, I'm not going to tell you now! First behave well and walk. Quick, quick!)

The boy perked up and ran after her.

(Scene change)

The door opened to a single bedroom apartment, in came three people, a woman carrying a sleepy four-year old boy in her arms with a five-year old boy trailing behind her.

She gently closed the door with her foot, she sat on the sofa, caressing the face of the boy in her arms while the older boy clutching his toy in his hand toddeled his way over, "Mom! What's the surprise?"

"Ayy Manny! Keep quiet! You will wake up your brother." the woman whisper-shouted at Manny but it seemed like the sleeping boy heard her, he rustled in her arms, bringing his arms to rub his eyes, "Ah, mi amore, you woke up." "Mama"

"Okay, mi amores, since you woke up, I will take out the surprise." "Yaaay" She set the still half-asleep boy down, and went into the kitchenette.

When she emerged, she had a box in her hands. "What's that?!" Manny shouted, while the little boy struggled to keep himself upright.

Grinning, the woman set the box down on the table and opened the Lid.

"CAKE!!" the boy shouted at the top of his lungs which managed to wake the boy up fully.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! VINCENTE!" the woman shouted, hearing the woman Manny also shouted the same.

"Now blow thee candles." the woman urged the wide eyed Vincente.

Vincente blew the candles, Manny and his mom sang the birthday song as he cut the cake. Manny took some of the icing off the cake and smeared it on Vincente's face, Vincente retaliated by doing the same. Their mom immediately stopped them before it could escalate, "Okay, Okay don't waste the cake. Come bring your plates, I will divide this for you."

The children eagerly pushed their plates forward, shoving each other to get the first piece. She smiled looking at them playing with each other. But as she watched them, her smile faltered, her gaze turning wistful for a fleeting moment.

*Knock**Knock*

The woman froze momentarily at the sound of the knock. Her cheerful expression faltered as she glanced at the door, pausing mid-slice with the knife still in her hand

"Boys, stay here," she instructed softly, a hint of caution in her voice. Manny tilted his head curiously but obeyed, sitting back down on the sofa with his slice of cake in hand. Little Vincente, however, toddled after her, clutching at the hem of her dress.

She hesitated briefly before making her way to the door. Peering through the peephole, her shoulders relaxed slightly. She unlocked the door and opened it cautiously, revealing a tall man in his late 40s, dressed casually in jeans and a leather jacket. His face bore a mix of awkwardness and determination.

"Javier," she whispered, her tone wary.

The boys' father offered a sheepish smile, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Gloria. I just... I wanted to stop by. I know it's Vincente's birthday." His eyes softened when they fell on the little boy hiding behind Gloria's legs. "Hola, mijo," he said warmly. Vincente blinked up at him, unsure, before retreating further behind his mother.

"What are you doing here, Javier?" Gloria asked, her voice low but firm, her accent sharpening. "You don't get to just show up."

Javier sighed. "I know I messed up, Gloria. I've been a lousy father. But I want to be here for them now. Please, let me stay for just a little while. I brought something for Vincente." He pulled out a small, neatly wrapped package from behind his back.

Gloria looked down at her son, who was peeking curiously around her leg. Then her gaze shifted to Manny who was sitting still in the spot eating his slice of cake.

Finally, she stepped aside. "Five minutes," she said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "Ay Manny, your father is here?" "DAD!!!"

Manny almost threw his plate down and came running over to Javier.

Javier stepped in cautiously, his presence filling the small apartment. He crouched down to Vincente's level, extending the gift. "Feliz cumpleaños, mijo. Open it." (Happy Birthday, mijo.)

Vincente looked up at his mother, seeking her approval. Gloria nodded slightly, and the boy stepped forward, taking the package with small, hesitant hands. He tore the paper carefully, revealing a small toy car. His face lit up, the previous hesitation forgotten.

"Gracias," Vincente mumbled shyly.

Javier smiled. "De nada, champ. There's more where that came from if you want to play."

"Dad! Dad! Mine, Where's mine?" Manny excitedly jumped up and down, his one hand raised.

Javier smiled at him with mischief in his eyes, "Hola champ, come give your old man a hug first." he opened his arms, Manny in excitement tackled Javier almost toppling them over.

Separating, he asked again, "Dad! Where's my present?"

With a mischievous grin he asked, "But it's little Vincente's birthday, why would I bring a gift for you?"

Manny looked crestfallen hearing that little droplets started to form in the corner of his eyes.

"Ahahahaha" Hearing the laugh Manny looked up at his dad's face, Javier didn't say anything but one of his hands went behind and he produced a gift, "Did you really think I would not bring you a gift?"

Manny's tears vanished as a big smile took its place, he once again tackled Javier.

From the side, Gloria watched the scene, her expression soft but guarded. "Five minutes," she murmured again, almost to herself, as the sound of her children's laughter filled the room.

For an hour, Javier played with the children, entertaining them with his wild stories, "...And that is how I helped the astronaut escape the man-eating island."

Manny and Vincente erupted in cheers, their eyes wide with delight. "Tell another one, Dad!" Manny begged, clutching at Javier's hand.

Javier laughed, tousling Manny's hair. "Ah, maybe next time, champ. It's getting late." He straightened and dusted his jeans. "All right, niños, it's time for me to go. Adiós." 

Manny's smile faltered as he clung to Javier's leg. "But you just got here, Dad! Stay a little longer!"

Vicente didn't say anything, but he too looked sad.

Javier crouched down, gently prying Manny's fingers from his leg. "I know, champ," he said softly, "But I have to go. I promise I'll come back soon, okay? Maybe next time, I'll bring you both something even cooler."

"You promise?" Manny's eyes narrowed, his young voice skeptical.

Javier placed a hand over his heart. "Cross my heart. And you know your old man never breaks a promise, right?"

Manny hesitated, then nodded reluctantly, stepping back to let him go.

Javier stood and glanced at Gloria, who had been watching the exchange silently from the kitchen. Her arms were crossed, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion. "Gracias," he said, his voice low.

"Don't thank me," she replied coolly. "Thank them." She motioned to the boys, her tone firm but not unkind.

Javier gave her a faint smile before kneeling to hug Vincente.

"Take care of your mamá and your brother, okay, mijo?" Javier said, brushing Vincente's hair back.

The boy nodded, his wide eyes brimming with unspoken questions he didn't yet have the words to ask.

With one last look at his sons, Javier turned to the door. The door clicked shut behind him, Manny stared at the door, "Do you think he'll come back this time?" he asked, looking up at Gloria.

Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She knelt down and placed a hand on his cheek, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course, mi amor. He said he would, didn't he?"

Manny nodded, though his expression remained uncertain.

"Come on," she said, pulling him into a hug.

[Vincente's POV]

(Click,Click)

I woke up when I heard the soft click of the doorknob. My eyes opened just a little, and I peeked out from under my blanket. Mama was standing by the door, looking at us. She stayed there for a moment, then turned and walked back to the living room.

'Mama's home. She must've come back from driving,' I thought.

I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes with my little fists. The room was quiet, and Manny was still sleeping beside me. Carefully, I tiptoed to the door.

Peeking through the doorway, I saw Mama sitting on the sofa. Her hair was down, and one of her hands was covering her mouth. Her shoulders were shaking, and when I squinted, I saw shiny tears sliding down her face.

My chest felt tight, and my tummy felt funny. I didn't like seeing Mama sad. I wanted to go to her, but my feet felt stuck.

"Mama…" I whispered softly, but she didn't hear me.

I ran back into the room, and kneeled down infront of the window and joined my hands just like my mama taught me.

"Dear lord,

I pray to make Mama happy. Please don't let her cry anymore. She works so hard, and she's always tired. Please help her smile more, like when we eat cake or when she hugs me and Manny.

And…give me something, that I can take care of mama and Manny.

Also… thank you for my cake. And my toy car. And for Manny, even though he took a big piece of icing.

Amen."

I opened my eyes and looked out the window for a moment, searching the sky for something—maybe a sign that God had heard me. But the stars just twinkled back quietly.

I let out a little sigh, crawled back into bed, as I pulled my blanket my head hurt a little and I lost consciousness.