Chapter 10

Don Alejandro walked into the tavern eager to start a new day. After talking to his son the previous evening, he decided to give matters an extra push. Diego and Victoria would make a wonderful couple…they were opposites, true enough but their differences complemented each other… With a little push in the right direction. I might just get those grandchildren yet.

"Don Alejandro. You are here early this morning. Where is Diego? What can I get for you this morning? Eggs, toast, something different, perhaps."

"The usual…If you have time, I have something that I would like to discuss with you, my dear."

"As soon as I have a free moment, I will be glad to talk to you...I will be right back with your order, Don Alejandro." He is up to something...

ZZZ

"I am sorry that it took me so long, Don Alejandro," Victoria sat down across from him.

"That's quite alright, Victoria. I wanted to ask you….what do you think of my son?"

"Diego is my best friend. I think the world of him."

"I love you like a daughter...I hate to see you wasting valuable time when there are so many eligible men worthy of your time and attention."

"I am in love with Zorro and he loves me."

"If Zorro truly loves you, then he will put your happiness above his own."

"What does any of this have to do with my relationship with your son, Don Alejandro?"

"You and Diego have always been close…"

"As brother and sister," Victoria replied but she did find the man attractive...

"Do you have feelings for my son other than friendship?"

"When Diego came back from Spain, he seemed so courageous… He was the kind of man I would consider spending her life with until Zorro came along."

"Maybe there is a reason that you and Diego are still available."

"I am not in love with Diego and he is not in love with me."

"Is the idea of loving my son so impossible? Many marriages have been built on much less than the friendship you and Diego share...and my dear, you did admit that you were once attracted to my son."

"But that was years ago...I don't have those feelings for Diego anymore."

"Isn't there a small part of you that wonders what would have happened if Zorro had not appeared? I admire Zorro for what he has done but it takes more than romance to make a good husband. Think about it, Victoria... I have some other matters to attend to," he said as he kissed her hand gently, "thank you for your time."

Me and Diego? Where would Don Alejandro even get such an idea?

ZZZ

Several hours later...

Diego paced the floor of the hacienda, turned and regarded his father as he continued to pace. "I cannot believe that...You did that, Father...that you asked Victoria if she had feelings for me. You did that without asking me! How could you, Father!"

"At the rate that you are going...the girl will never know how you feel about her..."

"And so you decided to give matters a...a helping hand. Am I such a hopeless case that I need my father's help?"

"Not hopeless, son. You are a de la Vega, after all," Alejandro looked at his tall, handsome son, "I am not getting any younger, son and forgive me for saying so...but neither are you."

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Father."

"You are a prime catch for any woman. You are wealthy, handsome and currently unattached."

"You make me sound like one of your prized bulls, Father."

"Really, Diego. You are my son. I am proud of you...I always have been...I only want you to be happy...to spend your life with the woman you love..."

"And provide you with a house full of grandchildren, no doubt," Diego teased finally finding some humor in the situation.

"Well, I must admit that the thought has crossed my mind, son. You and Victoria would be perfect for each other. You balance each other and the fact that I already love her as a daughter makes it all the more desirable."

"You are forgetting one little detail."

"And what is that, my son?"

"The fact that Victoria is in love with Zorro or have you conveniently forgotten that little detail."

"They have only known each other for a short period of time. It is not as if they are engaged, son."

"Victoria and I are just friends, Father. She sees me as a big brother."

"Don't be too sure of that, son. I saw the attraction between the two of you when you came back from Spain. The fact that you were already friends is an added bonus. Carpe Diem. Seize the moment, my son. Invite her to dinner...Strike while the iron is still hot..."