Chapter 7

Victoria returned to the tavern late. She got invited by don Diego and don Alejandro to dine at the hacienda this evening. Their guest, señorita Annabella had also been present. The dinner was delicious Victoria had not tasted one bite and could not tell what she had eaten.

As the evening got later, the frustration in Victoria had grown. She hadn't been counting, but Victoria estimated señorita Annabella had touched Diego's arm at least seven times. And at least as many times, the young woman had bend over, closer to the young caballero. Almost, pushing her breasts at Diego's nose. Pretended Diego had said something so amusing. Every time the woman had chuckled, blinked her eyes and somehow had made an innocent blush show on her face.

Victoria had serious wanted to ask don Alejandro for a bowl to vomit in. Victoria had only noticed because..., because, usually, don Diego not so taken into women. And it was remarkable Diego getting so much attention from any woman.

And it had got worse, after dinner the small company had to go to the library where the señorita had to get the great idea to read and quote your favourite poem.
The second Annabella had started with her favourite poem Victoria wanted to chop off her ears or cut the tongue out of that snake.

Love has no rhythm and no reason. It strikes with a passionate fire, engulfing the hearts in flame.
And only your cool sweet lips will quench my burning desire.

The woman had no right! That was her poem and maybe a little bit Diego's. But, certainly not the poem, of that..., that..., snake. And then how she had looked.
No, Victoria wasn't jealous. She just disliked the woman with an appetite smaller than a chicken. Victoria had seen how Annabella had scanned the library. Not intended to admire the beauty but in search of valuables.

After Annabella, Diego had quoted a poem. And the way he had done it, Victoria her heart had skipped two beats.
Annabella had pretended to blush shyly and had looked at Diego like she wanted to devour him. Turning her eyes down, look up and blink, blink, smile, smile. Telling Diego, she had never heard anything more romantic.
Don Diego had clearly felt discomforted, don Alejandro smiling approvingly.
Closing her eyes, Victoria remembered Diego's voice quoting the poem he said was one of his favourites.

Of all my loves, this is the first and last.
That is the autumn of my years has grown,
A secret fern, a violet in the grass,
A final leaf where all the rest are gone.
Would that I could give all and more, my life,
My world, my thoughts, my arms, my breath, my future,
My love eternal, endless, infinite, yet brief,
As all my loves are and hopes, though they endure.
You are my sun and stars, my night, my day,
My seasons, summer, winter, my sweet spring,
My autumn song, the church in which I pray,
My land and ocean, all that the earth can bring.
Of glory and of sustenance, all that might be divine,
My alpha and my omega, and all that was ever mine.

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Back in the tavern, in the security of the bedroom, Victoria was roughly brushing her hair. Señorita Annabella had the rare talent to get the blood from under your nails, with her fake giggling and obviously flirting to poor Diego.
Someone had to protect the kind man against the flirtatious behaviour of the snake. Distracted, Victoria cleaned the brush by pulling the hairs out suddenly, stopping. What was that? A white hair?

Was she turning grey? She was twenty-seven years old. She wasn't near old enough to have grey hairs. Turning the lamp higher to make more light, Victoria took a close as possible look in the mirror to look at her hair. She spotted a second grey hair, pulling it out, and one more and another. She was turning grey!

Upset half a hour later Victoria blew out the lamp and got under the blankets.
The fake laughter of señorita Annabella echoed in her head as Victoria stared at the ceiling. Surely, Diego was too smart to fall into the clutches of her. Victoria hoped her friend wasn't going to marry such a dreadful woman. No, it wasn't jealousy. It was an honest, genuine concern for the man she considered her best friend.
And her hair turning grey? Victoria had pulled out a total of nine hairs. She just had to keep on checking every day. Maybe it was just some weird coincedence.
Slowly Victoria dozed off in a light sleep.

Victoria stood on the porch of her tavern and served an older man a plate of tamales.
"Muchas gracias, señorita Escalante." Victoria had not recognized the man but his voice she knew. It was sergeant Mendoza, looking much older. His hair and moustache grey, and his stomach had increased.

"Sergeant Mendoza?"

"Mendoza!" A shout sounded over the plaza, an older looking de Soto walking with a cane approaching. "How many times do I have to say you need to stay on your post in case that black idiot shows up!"

Why did Mendoza and de Soto look many years older? Victoria rushed herself inside to take a glimpse in the mirror hanging behind the counter.
The image she saw spooked her. Victoria saw a woman, her hair all grey in a bun. Wrinkles all over her face and some age spots. Not only on her face but her hands as well.

"Buenos Días, señorita Victoria." Hearing that voice send shivers over her spine, Victoria turned around.

Face to face, she stood to señorita Annabella.
Don Diego, also looking elder, but unlike herself, he had become more handsome over the years. Distinguished grey hair and his eyes looked brighter blue than Victoria remembered. On his arm was señorita Annabella. She hadn't aged a day, a golden wedding ring on her finger.
"We have just returned from San Diego. Sebastián is on his way to Spain to study at the university."

"Sebastián?" Victoria managed to utter.

"Our youngest son, Victoria." Diego, saying, looking away from her because he heard something.

Commotion coming from outside, the three people at the bar, going out. Zorro had come to the pueblo and was in a sword fight with four lancers at the same time.
De Soto, standing next to it holding his sword, yelling things like, "Get him, seize him."

"Alcalde, how many times do I have to tell you I shall not tolerate your cruelty." Zorro carving a Z in de Soto his uniform, spinning around and with one elegant swing of his sword, Zorro overpowered the four lancers, all falling backwards.
"Twenty years now, and you still haven't learned. My quest will not be over until you learn all people are equal."

Zorro pointing his sword at de Soto saluted Victoria standing on the porch. "Señorita Escalante, your smile is as lovely as ever." Blowing her a hand kiss.
"Don't even think about it." De Soto had tried to reach for his gun. Zorro reacting faster than de Soto could pull his gun.
"Release the prisoners, alcalde, or things might get uncomfortable for you." aiming his sword an inch higher, now pointed at de Soto's heart.

"Lancers, do as he says. Release the prisoner."

The four lancers, struggling to get back to their feet and ran in the direction of the cuartel.

Zorro whistled, and Toronado showed up, Zorro jumping with ease in the saddle. He, too, did not look a day older than the last time Victoria saw him. Still the strong muscular man he always was. Maybe only some grey hairs in his moustache.
Ignoring de Soto, Zorro steered his horse to the porch on where Victoria was standing.
"One day, Victoria, you shall be mine. I hope you are willing to wait just a little longer." Urging the beautiful black steed in a gallop out of the pueblo.

Annabella chuckled loudly. Diego seemed to be bothered by it.
"How long much longer do you plan to wait, señorita Escalante? For long as I remember, Zorro makes these promises to you. I told you it is better to take what you can get than to dream of what can never be. Take me, and my darling Diego. I have it all, a loyal rich husband, a beautiful hacienda and all the clothes and jewellery money can buy.
Come, Diego, we'll go home. I have bought new clothes in San Diego. I need to see they arrived in good order."

Diego tried to reassure his wife patiently saying, "I am sure they have, Bella."

Annabella did not like how her husband had named her. "Diego, how many times have I told you not to call me Bella!"
The beautiful young woman angrily walked away to the small carriage in the middle of the plaza.

Diego had a painful smile on his face, "I am going to miss Sebastián. He made my life bearable. Victoria, we have always been good friends. Marrying Annabella was a mistake, I can admit to now. Twenty years have passed. I married a woman I only proposed to please my father and cares more for her clothes than for me. And you, always waiting for love..., I think it would have been better if you and I married all these years ago. The love we both searched for, I doubt it exists. Our friendship is more valuable to me than my marriage."

"Zorro will come one day for me. When de Soto is no longer alcalde and justice has come."

A deep sigh made by Diego followed, "Oh, Victoria, I wish for you that is true, and that day will come soon. May you find the happiness we both searched for." Don Diego joined his wife in the carriage driving out of the pueblo.

The moment Victoria realized she was in bed and awake, she jumped out at lighted a candle to look in the mirror. It had been a dream, she hadn't aged a day, and Diego wasn't married to Annabella.

It was hours past midnight, and Victoria was baking cookies in frustration.
No, she was not jealous. But Diego deserved better than this flirt. Unbelievable the guts she had to flirt so openly with Diego. How could he defend himself against so many attempts at seduction? Don Diego had little experience with women, and the snake was an experienced flirt.

After four loads of cookies, the frustration had become no less. Slowly as the sun started to rise in the east, Victoria got the last pie she had baked out of the oven.

Later that morning, Don Alejandro entered accompanied by Mendoza. Victoria greeting both men with a wide smile. "Gentlemen, you like a piece of pie?" The tavern owner offered gracefully.

"That sounds delicious, Victoria." Don Alejandro, rubbing his hands, looking forward to an unexpected treat.

Sergeant Mendoza, licking his mouth. "Señorita Escalante, may I ask what pie you have baked?"

"I have baked an Apple, flan and lemon pie. I also baked cinnamon buns if you prefer those."

"Oh, you've been busy this morning." Don Alejandro was leaning on the counter.

Victoria placed two cups of coffee on the counter. "Oh, well, I needed some distraction."

Alejandro was drinking his coffee, looking rather sad. "Next time I would like to try your cinnamon buns, Victoria, I just came for a drink. I plan to go to the mission today to bring some supplies. Usually, Diego does this, but he is together with señorita Annabella searching for caves."

"Caves?" sergeant Mendoza asked the don.

"Yes, the señorita had the idea to visit some caves in the area. Maybe they can find Zorro in his hiding place. Señorita Annabella wants to interview Zorro for the newspaper. Felipe has joined them. Guess the boy likes the idea of some adventure, but now I have to go to the mission alone."

Victoria did not understand what she was feeling. Why was she upset and relieved Diego and Annabella weren't alone?
"Don Alejandro, shall I join you. My helpers can manage on their own when we return before the dinner rush. You see, I also baked cookies. Maybe, we can donate these to the mission."

"That is a kind idea, Victoria. I am sure they will appreciate that." The don checked his pocket watch. "If you want to return in time, we have to leave soon."

Victoria walked away to get the promised foods and a shawl.

Less than fifteen minutes later, the don and the tavern owner left the pueblo, arriving by the mission three hours later. The couple stayed for a simple lunch, and after that, returned to the pueblo.
Don Alejandro was driving the car. "Victoria, I always appreciate your company and opinion. Tell me, what do you think of señorita Annabella? Wouldn't she be perfect for Diego? And he doesn't seem to be reluctant about it either."

Don Alejandro had started on the subject Victoria had successfully avoided the whole morning. Not wanting to give the don her actual thoughts, she asked him, "Do you think she's going to make a suitable woman for Diego?"

"Annabella is very charming and talented. And she seems to appreciate his interest in books. She even shares his interest in painting. I think they could make a nice couple."

Victoria, staring at her hands, muttering. "I don't know. I do not know her that well. I have only seen her twice."

Victoria was startled when don Alejandro stopped the cart. Looking up, Victoria sees three men on horseback with a gun pointed at her.
The man, the closest saying, "A rich don on the road with only a woman. That is asking for trouble, señor."

Don Alejandro hold his hands in the air. "I have nothing of value on me. We are on our way back from the mission post, where we have brought supplies."

The man laughed. "Well, I think I know a way to get some valuables here or else we will see what that pretty señorita has for valuables to give."

Don Alejandro, angrily hissing. "You leave her alone!"

"Then I propose you start to do as I say. Five thousand pesos we want. And you have twenty-four hours to get it here."

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