Later that evening...
Diego stopped by the tavern disguised as Zorro. He easily scaled the outside of the tavern, knocked on Victoria's window and waited for her to let him in. Her light was on and he knew that she was still awake. "Victoria, I hope that I haven't disturbed you. You look lovelier than ever."
"Come in...it is good to see you...I wanted to talk to you," she said quietly.
"Gracias...Is something wrong? You don't seem like yourself tonight..."
"I have been thinking...Diego...Diego de la Vega has invited me to his party Friday night..."
"Diego is a friend...it is not unusual for you to attend social gathering together...I have no problem with that...you are friends, after all."
"He is a very attractive man," Victoria confessed, "most of the single women in the pueblo think so."
"You...you are attracted to Don Diego...I don't know if I like the idea of you going to the party with him as his date."
"You're not jealous...are you Zorro? Diego has always treated me like a lady."
"That is true but the man would have to blind not to notice a beautiful woman like you even a milksop like Don Diego," he said arrogantly, "the man can barely handle a sword...I suppose he is handsome if you like the tall, dark handsome type and he is the heir to the de la Vega fortune..." I can't wait to see how she reacts to this...
"Diego is my best friend and he is handsome, if you like that particular type and him being the heir to the de la Vega fortune doesn't matter to me...I have my own money and I am well able to take care of myself whether I marry or not..."
"I didn't mean to imply that you are after his money, Victoria...I apologize," he recognized the flash of anger in her eyes at his thoughtless remarks, "I know that you are an independent woman who would never marry any man for his money...in fact, some men might be tempted to want to marry you for your money and your beauty...Don Diego cares about you for yourself. He doesn't need your money...You would make a good match..You both want to marry for love and nothing less. Marriage is a lifetime commitment and I know you take it seriously."
"I would never treat Diego that way...he is very dear to me...he has always been, Zorro. He is not flamboyant like you...he is gentle and unassuming...willing to work behind the scenes to help others...I didn't always see that but I do know...Diego doesn't handle a sword like you do or ride a beautiful horse or swoop in to save the day but he does a lot of good for this the people of this pueblo despite what others may think of him...I can count on him..."
"More than you can count on me...Is that what you are trying to say? It won't always be this way, Victoria. One day, the fight for freedom will be over..."
"I know it will be someday...I will always admire you and I have enjoyed our short time together. I would like to explore the possibilities, see where it goes," she confessed.
"I appreciate your honesty, Victoria...and I will admit that I don't like losing you to another man even a man as fine as Don Diego," Zorro stated, "we have not been involved long enough or well enough to form a serious tie, Victoria. Diego is a very fortunate man...You should have a husband...Perhaps, someone like Don Diego. I hope that everything will go well tonight."
"Gracias, Zorro...maybe you are being a bit premature...it is just a date, after all," she blushed.
The masked man trailed his hand along her cheek. "You share certain feelings. Perhaps more than you'll ever know. You have my blessing...Adios, Victoria," he said as he kissed her on her forehead, "Good night."
"Good night, Zorro," she watched him exit for the last time, "and thank you..."
The Next Day...Victoria's Tavern
The de la Vega men sat at their customary table...Diego scanned the tavern looking for Victoria. Last night had been a very interesting one. He had posed those questions to get a better idea of how the taverness felt about him...At least I know that her opinion of me has improved since that incident with Ricardo Quintana and that she does care for me...I know that she cared for Zorro, too. It was not true love...they had not spent enough time together for their feelings to develop into more...Perhaps, they would since she would get to know him as his true self...
"Good morning, gentlemen. What can I get for you this morning," she smiled, "the huevos rancheros are particularly good this morning."
"That sounds wonderful. You look very happy this morning," Diego replied.
"I am, Senor de la Vega and before you ask...I would love for you to escort me Friday night." Diego's delighted face spoke volumes. "You may pick me up at 6:30. I will be ready. I will be back with your order in a few minutes..."
"That is wonderful news, son. I am glad that she accepted your invitation."
"So am I, Father...I plan on treating her as the special lady that she is...I hope that it is the beginning of something special," he stated, "I can finally get to know her and she can get to know me without any pretense...it will be a wonderful evening, Father...I have never been happier...I hope that this feeling never ends..."
You're in love, Felipe signed making the sign of a heart with his hands...
"One day it will happen to you," Diego ruffled the boy's hair affectionately, "let's see how you react."