Chapter VI

Soon

By the time Diego returned, Josefina had already gotten used to her previous idea of living inside a cave in the middle of the wilderness. Don Alejandro would surely not allow someone like her to stay, especially after invading his house without his knowledge; it was too much. He was a strict man, Diego had said it. Maybe she should leave before he arrived…

Seeing him back was a relief; at least she would be able to say goodbye.

"I should leave."

"You should not, now more than ever. You're staying here."

"What did he say?"

"I explained. He said you can stay, but we both believe it would be best to change the hiding spot for a place the servants don't know about. Somewhere not even a party of the lancers of the King could find you."

There was only a nod as an answer. She hadn't expected this, but she had, at the same time.

He grabbed the lamp that had been resting on the desk, illuminating her puzzle endeavors.

"Come with me?" he held out a hand.

She took it and followed him into the secret passage.

"Even my father didn't know of this place until some time ago. We use it to store old furniture and, well, in case of an emergency."

The floor was wooden and so were the walls, except for some areas where she could see only a flat rock end in front of her, to then turn to the left or the right and find more wood.

"What kind of emergency?"

"Today's, for example."

"How do they have a reward on me?"

"That will not last long. Here we are."

There was an espiral stair that went down, and on the right, a bed with a thin mattress and a small nightstand on the side.

"Have you been sleeping here?"
"I had."

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. We're switching now, so I'm the one who's sorry."

"Huh?"

"I told you that you're my guest. I would want you to be as comfortable as possible."

"Diego… You have done too much for me and-"

"No, I only-"

"-listen to me, Diego, let me say thank you, let me say that if you hadn't allowed me to stay here, I don't know where I would be, probably back in that place, so thank you. Gracias."

He kissed her hand for the second time ever, the one he'd been holding, and that made her lose for a moment the concepts of balance and focus.

"You're very welcome. I'm going to ask Bernardo to change the sheets and bring you some things."

After he left down the stairs, she sat down. The lamp was helpful; however, the place still seemed murky, a current of air flying through and whistling somewhere in the dark.

(...)

"I would like to speak Chinese, or at least understand some of it," he said from the other side of the short table, which displayed sweets and different types of fruits.

"Why Chinese?"

"Not too long ago, a young Chinese man arrived into town. No one could understand him, of course, so he was put in jail. It turned out he was a Prince who was attempting to escape his kidnappers. The army found a way to help him in the end, but had anyone around spoken his language, the issue could have been resolved a lot sooner."

I think you like helping people, Diego.

Say it.

Don't say it.

Say it!

"I think you like helping people, Diego."

"Everybody tries to help the way they can."

No, not everybody.

You, more.

"What about you?" he asked: "What skill would you like to master?"

As the sugary candy dissolved in her mouth, Josefina had some moments to think. How many skills were there in the world, anyway? And which one would she really like to learn at the snap of her fingers, were that possible?

"Hm, I know." She wiped some crumbs from her lips with the pretty, elegant napkin which for sure hadn't been conceived for venues such as this one: "Fencing. And horse riding. I know women don't usually do that, especially fencing, but one can dream."

"Interesting. Wouldn't you think fencing can be too violent?"

"It depends on what it's used for, I think; as a sport, for self defense… to help others."

"You're probably right. It doesn't have to be just a dream, then".

"You know what I have been dreaming about lately? Los Ángeles. Last time I was there I was maybe two or three years old, and I believe I have this… painting of a moment in my mind: there is this large square and… I'm at the entrance of the church, with my father and my mother, each one of them holding me by a hand. And that's all. That's all I remember, but I do want to go there, later, and see if the place really exists, like in this memory."

"I will take you there. Soon."

"Will you?"

That wasn't a dream, not even a plan; she knew that it was true, just that it hadn't happened yet: it existed in the future. She imagined herself there with Diego, in another time when no one was absurdly after her and she could walk by his side and talk with him just like this, just as they were right now, except she wouldn't have to hide.

Soon...

And soon, his face was closer to hers, so close, and she didn't imagine anything at all because what was in fact happening was way too much to process.

And then he stopped.

Wha…

"Forgive me" he backed away.

"..."

"Please don't think I want to take advantage of this."

"I... don't."

"I should go."

"But…"

"Good night."

Josefina saw him disappear in the darkness of the passage, her heart, for a change, being over the edge of bursting into flames. She laid back on the bed and didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so she just stared at the ceiling that was somewhere up there, she stared at it but imagined him again, his face, his eyes, the kiss that was not to be.

(...)

The following day there was the puzzle Bernardo had managed to bring to the secret passage without it falling apart; the novel, that was set in eighteenth century Portugal; chicken, rice and carrots for lunch, lemon tea and cherries as the afternoon snack. There wasn't, however, none of Diego.

None that could be seen, that is, because he was in the invisible corners of her mind, as she attempted to concentrate on putting Asia together or in remembering the names of the characters she was reading.

At night, her surroundings seemed even more quiet than during the day; it was strange because there was no relevant difference, the same dim light from the lamp and the same sounds of nothing. She had been tempted to… several times, and tonight, the impulse to go where the wall to his bedroom was and listen through almost defeats her.

Listen for what?

For his voice and his presence…

And him catching you there.

That, too.

She thought she'd heard a bat yet again, up there near the ceiling or in another chamber or corridor.

It wasn't an animal. She knew it when the voices were too distinct.

The stomping of boots, yells, orders.

But you're safe in here.

Aren't you?

The steps of the spiral staircase were pretty narrow, without the lamp she would have most likely tripped and stumbled down.

What was this place, the living room area? The obvious fact that she had never been on the first floor, at least not that she remembered, hit her and disoriented her. The noise continued, that voice she knew from the other day:

"... I know these old haciendas and how they are built. Many of them have secret passageways, so knock that wall off if you must. Perhaps we will kill two birds with one stone tonight."

Josefina felt she was about to choke.

A thump on the wall, right next to her. And another one.

Without a second thought, Josefina ran, entered the obscure labyrinth that was the continuation of the secret passage, not even knowing if there would be a way out.

(...)

Note: can you spot a quote that the Eagle said in the series? :-D I gave it to Monasterio here. As always: thanks for reading!