Chapter 9

The de la Vegas bid the remaining guests good night. Diego had been strangely subdued after his talk with Victoria in the garden. He knew that his kiss had shocked her but at least, he had made his feelings known...Victoria had responded to his kiss and even seemed to enjoy it...Perhaps, there is some hope for us, after all...

"Son, would you like to talk about whatever is troubling you? Does it have something to do with Victoria?" Diego had barely spoken two words since he had returned from the garden and Victoria was strangely quiet as well. What had happened between the two of them? Has Victoria realized that she had feelings for his son?

"Why do you think it has something to do with Victoria?" My father knows me so well. I know that he suspects something...

"You barely spoke to each other after your return from the garden. You have always been close but now, it seems as if there is a wall between you. Did something happen that I don't know about? Talk to me, my son. Maybe I can help."

"Father…I…Victoria thought that I was interested in Gabriela. She is jealous...she is practically planning our wedding..."

"Are you…interested in Gabriela, my son? She is a lovely young woman but the two of you have just met..."

"We're just friends but Victoria thinks there is more to our relationship than friendship. She is jealous of Gabriella but she doesn't want to admit it."

"Did you tell Victoria that her suspicions were totally unfounded? Did you tell her that you are just friends?"

"Yes, Father, I did. She doesn't believe me...How could she think that I would marry someone I hardly know?"

"Victoria is not thinking logically, Diego. She sees you with a beautiful attractive woman and naturally she is jealous. She is used to being the center of attention especially when it comes to you." Maybe, the young woman had begun to see that his son was a handsome man...an eligible man...a man that would make someone a good husband. "So, what happened next, son?"

"We argued..." Diego hesitated unsure of whether to tell his father all that had transpired in the garden.

That was quite a spectacle. I am sure. The Escalante temper was formidable but so was the de la Vega's. Victoria's temper was legendary while Diego usually kept his temper under tight control... "I hope that you didn't lose your temper. Don't tell me that…that..."

"'We said...things...I said things," his son admitted, "The de la Vega temper reared its ugly head…I am afraid. "

My son does have the de la Vega temper, after all, Don Alejandro thought. "I hope you didn't do anything foolish, son."

"I accused her of being blinded by her love for Zorro," Diego said as ran a hand through his hair.

"I am certain that that did not go over well with Victoria. You know how she feels about Zorro! What else happened, son?"

"I told her that she could not see that I love her… I was tired of denying my feelings, Father…tired of being good, old reliable Diego…a shoulder to cry on…tired of being viewed as a brother so I showed her exactly how I felt about her...I kissed her, Father."

Something did happen in the garden...Just as I thought. I wonder what my son did and how Victoria reacted. "How did she respond to your show of affection?"

"She wasn't exactly an unwilling participant," the tall caballero smiled as he remembered the kiss.

Good for you, son. Victoria is probably in a state on shock but at least, she seemed to enjoy the kiss and so did my son judging by the look of satisfaction on his face. Maybe there will be grandchildren in this hacienda after all.

"She just left without a word. I may have lost her, Father. I don't know what to do."

"Victoria needs time to deal with this situation." Seeing Diego with someone else had realized that she had more than sisterly feelings for his son. His son had certainly chosen a woman much like his mother. Elena was a woman of passion, courage an conviction...a woman who still held a special place in his heart...Victoria was definitely a match for his son...a woman who was more than worthy of him. It would certainly not be dull in the hacienda. If Don Alejandro was correct, he would soon be welcoming a new member into the de la Vega household. "Why don't you get some rest, Diego? Things will look better in the morning."

"Good night. Father."

"Sleep well, son."