This is chapter 6 of the story "The greatest treasure of all". Since I had forgotten my login I had to create a new account. I apologise for not finishing this story. I had a writer's block. But because of all your nice reviews and your support I decided to try to continue this story. I know the story normally should continue with the search for Tom's father. But since I currently don't have any inspiration on that story line I will for now only concentrate on Victoria and Diego's journey. Later I hopefully will adjust the story and add the part of the boy.'
P.S. Don't expect too much of this chapter, it is just a short piece, not really good. But in the spirit of something is better than nothing ;)
Chapter 6
Ryan the tall, muscular pirate peddled Diego and Victoria to shore.
"It's a 6 mile walk to town," Ryan said and pointed towards the right direction.
"Here, this should help you a little," he offered while he handed Diego a few golden coins.
Diego and Victoria thanked him and waved the pirates goodbye.
"Let's start walking shall we?" Diego suggested.
He was caught off guard when Victoria jumped to give him a hug, he lost his balance and they both landed in the loose sand.
"What was that for?" Diego asked an amused grin appearing on his face.
"I'm just so glad to finally feel firm ground underneath my feet," Victoria explained.
"And you thought it was fun to roll around in the sand, huh?" he asked.
"I'm sorry Diego I didn't mean to knock you of your fee.." she didn't have time to finish her sentence, Diego rolled over like a panther so he was on top and together they rolled off the dune.
The two friends laughed; "I haven't done something like that since I was a little girl!" Victoria exclaimed while she dusted the sand from her clothes.
Diego smiled at her. Dios he loved that woman, she hadn't lost that spunk she had when she was a child.
Victoria seemed to notice his look of admiration so he quickly lowered his gaze and said: "We'd better get going if we want to reach Costa Mesa before nightfall."
"Yes you're right," Victoria replied.
Diego offered her his hand and together they climbed back up the dune.
After a two hour walk they reached Costa Mesa. It was a bustling coast town. The air was filled with the smell of fresh caught fish. Women were cleaning the fish their husbands had gathered.
After having taken in the atmosphere Diego and Victoria located the tavern.
They walked in and were immediately greeted by the innkeeper: "Hola, welcome in Costa Mesa, my name is Angela can I help you?"
"Hola, I'm Diego de la Vega and this is my wife Victoria, could we rent two rooms?" Diego enquired.
"Of course Senor de la Vega, I will prepare them immediately," the innkeeper replied and went upstairs.
When the innkeeper was out of sight Victoria said accusingly: "So we're still pretending to be husband and wife?"
Diego could see she was joking but still answered: "I'm sorry I guess I'm getting used to calling you mi eposa. But in the next town I'll make sure to mention we're just friends."
Their little conversation was interrupted by the innkeeper who announced that their rooms were ready.
She showed Diego and Victoria their adjacent rooms.
Victoria was admiring her room, while Diego was still talking to Angela
"What were you two talking about?" she asked when the beautiful innkeeper had left.
"You're quite a curious wife aren't you?" the don replied teasingly.
"Well you still haven't answered Diego de la Vega," Victoria stated, her hands placed firmly on her hips.
"I've arranged a surprise for you, you'll just have to be patient," he explained.
Victoria didn't have to wait long, soon the maid knocked on her door with two buckets of warm water. They were preparing a bath for her.
A few minutes later she was enjoying a relaxing bath.
After her lovely bath her nose wrinkled with the thought she was going to have to put on those dirty clothes again.
As if someone had heard her thoughts Gabriella, the maid, knocked on the door.
She brought a lovely new dress and nightgown!
"Your husband asked me to give you these," Gabriella said while she showed Victoria the beautiful clothes.
"Thank you," Victoria said her eyes admiring the new garments.
When Gabriella left, Victoria immediately tried on the dress, it was a perfect fit!
Appreciatively she ran her hand over the soft fabric and went to Diego's room to thank him.
Diego who had gone shopping while Victoria was in bath was now in turn enjoying a bath himself when he heard someone knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" he asked.
"It's me, Victoria, can I come in?"
"Just wait a minute," Diego replied while he stepped out of the tub.
Victoria was waiting patiently when a rough looking man who had clearly drunk too much wine stumbled up the stairs.
"I see your husband won't let you in, you're always welcome in my room darling," he said suggestively.
An awful stench accompanied every word that left his mouth.
"I was just going inside," Victoria said with a determined look and walked into Diego's room. She hoped Diego would forgive her intrusion.
A startled Diego had just enough time to drape a towel around his hips.
"Didn't I ask you to wait outside?!" he asked surprised.
Victoria's eyes and apparently also her thoughts were still focussed on his bare torso; she hadn't heard a single word he said.
Diego gave her a curious glance.
"I'm sorry Diego, but there was some man bothering me," she finally managed to answer.
"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Diego asked concerned.
The thought that she might be attacked just outside his room made him furious, every muscle of his body tensed.
"No, no, I'm fine, it was only a drunk who made an indecent proposal, nothing I can't handle," she reassured him.
When he was convinced that she was all right, he suddenly remembered his current half-naked state, so he cleared his throat and said: "Would you be so kind to turn around so I can get dressed?"
"Of course," she said blushingly and quickly turned around.
"Now that I feel more comfortable, what was the reason of your visit?" a fully dressed Diego asked.
"With all the commotion I almost forgot, I wanted to thank you for the gorgeous gowns," Victoria explained.
"I thought it would be nice to have something clean to wear, I'm glad you like them," he replied.
"I think I'd better get some sleep, that bath made me drowsy and first thing tomorrow I'm going to look for work," Diego said.
"Work?" Victoria asked surprised "First thing tomorrow?"
"Yes those few pieces of gold Ryan gave us won't suffice to get us back to Los Angeles. I know you think I never work at home, but I'm perfectly capable of doing ranch work," Diego replied, a bit disappointed that his beloved one had such a low opinion of him. But as soon as the words left his lips he regretted letting his pride jeopardise his secret identity.
"I know you can," Victoria replied with a soft voice and gently touched his hand.
The friendly gesture caught Diego of guard. In an attempt to cover up his obvious reaction to her touch he faked a yawn: "Oohwah!" Seizing the opportunity to rectify his earlier mistake he added: "All this talking about work has made me rather sleepy." Diego felt a mixture of relief and disappointment on seeing the expected 'I knew I was right about him'-expression on his beloved's face.
Adopting his customary blank expression Diego said: "Let me walk you to your room," and gallantly opened the door.
Victoria laughed: "Diego my room is only next-door!"
"Ah but I always see my wife to bed", Diego explained and offered her his arm. He didn't mention that he wanted to make sure she was safely in her room without being bothered by that drunken man. He knew Victoria thought she was perfectly capable of protecting herself and would be offended if she knew the real purpose of his escort.
Victoria linked her arm in his, four steps later they were standing in front of her room.
"Well then, I wish you goodnight," Diego said before lightly kissing her forehead.
"Good-night Diego," an amazed Victoria replied and entered her room.
Diego waited until he heard her locking the door. Knowing that Victoria was safe he returned to his room.