Chapter 14

The celebration was in full swing...Brightly colored lanterns hung from each building added a festive atmosphere. Pilar and Alicia put the finishing touches on tables laden with food and drink.

"Aha! Welcome, Señores. What a fight, Don Diego!" Mendoza smiled. "Zorro was magnificent. You should have been there."

"So I've heard, Sergeant." The tall caballero assumed his usual bland expression at the mention of Zorro's heroics...

"Quite a party, huh?" Mendoza enjoyed the food. The alcalde had spared no expense in making sure the everything was in place. It was not like him to be so generous especially with his own money...

"And the Alcalde has agreed to pay every centavo," Victoria stated in disbelief.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. If you will excuse me, I need to make a little speech. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. We are here to celebrate the brave rescue of myself, Don Alejandro de la Vega and Senorita Amanda Herrera by the soldiers of this pueblo.."

I should have known that he would not give Zorro any credit, Diego smirked. Leave it to the alcalde to draw attention to himself.

"Let's continue with the celebration," Ramon said as he left the podium.

"If it hadn't been for Zorro's help.." The alcalde had not mentioned his masked rival nor had he singled out Mendoza or Sanchez for their roles in the rescue.

"Really, Senorita Escalante, you give that bandit too much credit.."

"Can't you bury the hatchet with Zorro just for one night?"

"You're quite right, Señorita. This is a joyous occasion. May I have the honor of this dance?"

"Pardon me, Alcalde, but the señorita promised this dance to me," Diego interrupted as he led Victoria onto the dance floor.

The tall caballero and Victoria looked good together and Alejandro was optimistic about their future together. Now that he knew the truth everything made sense. Hopefully, they would overcome the problems caused by Diego's secrecy. The caballero danced with Senora Perez leaving the alcalde and Mendoza by themselves.

"Your son and Senorita Escalante make a fine looking couple...Don't you agree, Don Alejandro?"

"They do. They have become very close recently."

"I have noticed that. So is Zorro out of the picture?"

"You could say that in a manner of speaking." He now recognized all of the mannerisms that Diego and the masked man had in common. I wonder how I could have been blind for so long. They were so similar that it still amazed him that no one else noticed the similarities in physical stature and mannerisms. Victoria's eyes would be open soon enough if he had his way. "Maybe a little romantic music will help set the mood. If you will excuse, Consuela. "

"It looks as if my Father decided to play, after all," Diego remarked as his father approached the piano. "Shall we dance?"

Victoria gladly compiled as Diego's father played a romantic waltz. For once, he didn't want to hide his feelings behind a mask...It was said that the eyes were windows to the soul and Diego's eyes spoke volumes. He looked like a man in love..."You beautiful tonight, Victoria. I am glad to be with the most beautiful woman in the pueblo."

"Thank you, Diego," she blushed. Her friend was full of compliments tonight. His eyes held a tender expression that she had rarely seen. The couple reluctantly parted as the waltz ended.

"Would you like to take a walk outside, Victoria? It would be a shame to waste such a lovely night."

"That would be wonderful, Diego. You are very quiet tonight."

"I meant it when I said that you are the most beautiful woman in the pueblo. You always have been."

"You flatter me, Diego," she smiled.

"It is the truth, Victoria...Half the boys in this pueblo were in love with you when I left for Spain."

"I could say the same for you Diego de la Vega especially that Magdalena. She was always batting her eyes at you!" Victoria hinted jealously.

"Magdalena was a born flirt. I only had eyes for you even then, Victoria Escalante!"

"You hid it well, Diego!"

"Your brothers would have teased me mercilessly if they knew how I felt about you."

"They teased me enough about how I followed you around the pueblo. You were always very kind to me...most of the time!"

Diego tried to look offended at Victoria's remarks. "I was a perfect gentleman then and I am a perfect gentleman now."

Victoria laughed at Diego's response. He still had a hint of the de la Vega temper underneath that calm exterior. She enjoyed teasing him and it showed. "That wasn't always the case, Diego. You got into quite a few adventures when you were younger, if I recall."

"If my father knew about some of the things that I had done, he would have..."

"Locked you in your room...forbid you from riding horses, perhaps?"

"Was I that mischievous as a child?"

"You were incorrigible and you know it!"

"I was just smart enough not to get caught!"

Victoria enjoyed the playful banter between them...something she never got to experience with Zorro. I really love this man. He is so much more than I could ever hope for...The couple talked for several more minutes. As they walked back towards the plaza, Diego felt happier than he had in a while. His dreams were finally coming true. She had begun to see him for who he really was and it filled him with hope for the future.