Prologue:
A young black-haired man was walking inside his hacienda in Madrid. In his hand a little portrait of a young beautiful girl, the young Zafira. It was six years ago that he lost the love of his life to a young don from California, the young Diego De La Vega. He used to think of Diego as a good friend until Zafira had to choose between the two men. She accepted the proposal of Diego De La Vega even after he told her that she was the love of his life. That was the moment that broke all contact with the couple. He just couldn't around them and watch his one true love in the arms of his friend.
He had always thought that Diego would have been married with a family by now until a friend of his came back from his trip to Los Angeles. He had bought a herd of Spains finest horses from the De La Vega ranch. Don Diego was still unmarried and was seen as the coward of the pueblo. That was something the young Don couldn't believe, he knew how well Diego was with the sword, he even had witnessed him fighting his master a few times.
There was more news that the young Spanish Don found more interesting than all the rest of the information and it was just what he needed.
"Ask Eduardo to pack my bags, I am going to try and reconnect with an old friend." The don laughed.
This all happened three months ago.
Don Domingo looked around the moment he stepped out of the carriage. This wasn't the place he was expecting The Don Diego De La Vega to live. A little desert town with no Luxury what so ever, how could he live like this.
"No wonder that the man is not married, how can you find a beautiful woman in this barren wasteland." The arrogant Don whispered in a sigh, "This inn will have to do since there is no other possibility, it's not like Diego will welcome me with open arms."
He stepped inside the tavern and waited at the bar watching a beautiful raven-black haired woman serving customers. Don Domingo was used to being served immediately but somehow he didn't mind if it meant that he could watch the woman a bit longer.
"Can I help you, senor?" Victoria asked politely with a charming smile.
The young Don was overwhelmed by her beauty. If this was the tavern owner his friend was talking about this would be much easier than he thought.
"By telling me what a rare beauty like you is doing in this town?" Domingo smiled charmingly.
Victoria smiled back at him but she without losing her professionalism. This wasn't the first time a traveler tried his hand in charming her. It usually stopped the moment they found themselves at the end of her temper or when they found out who she was spoken for. Zorro had a wide reputation.
"I love this place, senor. I wouldn't trade it for the world." she smiled sweetly.
"That's what you think, my dear." Domingo thought but didn't say a word. He was sure now this lady would become his, the easy way or the hard way. He needed to be sure though that the legendary fox was the one and only Diego De La Vega so he was going to stay low for a few days and try to gain Diego's trust again.
"Then, senorita, could I get a room in this beautiful place? I am visiting an old friend of mine." Don Domingo smiled.
"Are you staying long in Los Angeles?" She smiled charmingly.
Don Domingo smiled back, "I don't know yet, senorita but I may be here for a while. I hope to regain my friendship again, life is too short to hold a grudge."
"Someone I know perhaps? If you don't mind asking that?" Victoria responded curiously.
The young Don from Madrid smiled. He could almost feel the victory already. This was going to be too easy or that is what he thought anyway. A few sweet words here and there and she would gladly travel with him to Spain. She wasn't Zafira but it wouldn't be hard to make her his after their marriage.
"I don't mind at all, senorita but he doesn't know I am coming so I want it to be a surprise." Don Domingo smiled charmingly keeping his answers vague. He didn't Diego to know just yet, "Can you take me to my room, senorita?"
"Of course senor and please call me Victoria," Victoria responded.
"Victoria, a beautiful name for a very beautiful lady." Don Domingo said kissing Victoria's hand, "My name is Don Domingo."
Victoria blushed slightly before walking the young don to his room. She gave him the room to the right, it was the only room that was still available.
"I hope you don't mind taking this room, senor, it's the only one left." Victoria smiled shyly.
"It's alright, senorita Victoria, thank you. I would like to take some rest, I had a long trip."
Victoria nodded, "of course, senor, please call me if you need something." the young tavern owner smiled one more time before walking downstairs again. Not only her rooms were occupied but it was a few hours before siesta so the tavern was full of local people, don's coming for lunch, vaquero's who came back from a long trip. It was just too much for the new waitress to deal with on her own. She had hired Maria a few days ago to help out her family now that her father had died last week, she now had to take care of her mother and younger brother.
"Buenos Dias, Don Diego." Victoria smiled when she saw her friend sitting at his usual table, "I thought you were on your way to Santa Paula for the auction?"
"I wanted to have some excellent lunch before I left." Diego smiled at her. If he was honest with himself he just wanted to see her one more time before he left. Glance secretly to the woman he loved so much. He always missed her when he went on auction trips but it was a way to make his father proud if he had done an excellent deal.
"I have chicken enchilada's if you like." Victoria smiled towards her best friend, knowing it was his favorite.
Diego smiled, "That would be lovely, Victoria. Thank you." He watched Victoria walk through the curtains that separated the tavern from the kitchen. What he didn't know was that someone was watching him from a dark corner. Watching his every move.
"Enjoy your last looks, Diego because they will be the last." Don Domingo whispered in an evil tone before retiring to his room.
TBC in Chapter 2
AN/ I hope you like the prologue of this new story. I will try to make the next chapters a bit longer but I thought this was a great place to end the prologue. Help me and give me the motivation to write more words in a chapter and leave a little comment. Let me know that this fandom is still alive and kicking. This will be a Diego and Victoria story, let's see where the muse will lead me. Thank you Big Kisses
I hope this story will bring a bit of joy in these hard times. Please keep yourself safe.
Big hugs LadyTpower
