Chapter 4

Diego rode Esperanza toward the pueblo gates. The past few weeks had been difficult but the pain was becoming easier to bear. His father had counseled Diego and he felt better about revealing his secret to Victoria. His relationship with Victoria had changed as well. They spent time talking and Victoria was often invited to the hacienda for dinner. He spent many of his days at the tavern sharing his feelings about his brother's death and how it had changed him for the better. Even though his father shared his passionate nature, he suggested that Diego "court" Victoria. They needed to see if they were truly compatible. To his own chagrin, Diego had discovered that Don Alejandro was right.

Victoria smiled as he approached. Today would be unusual day for them both. I hope that he will find the courage to tell me his secret identity soon. They had waited for such a long time and she was eager to begin her life with the man that she loved...Diego had masked so much of his true self. There were so many facets to his personality...It would be an adventure getting to know him. The man that she had known was so similar to the masked persona that he presented that she was surprised that she had not made the connection sooner. You truly are a clever fox, my love...

Diego sat at his customary table. A voice interrupted his thoughts. "Diego, may I get you anything else?"

"No, thank you. Victoria, can you sit down for just a minute?"

I wonder what else is bothering Diego. Gilberto's death has affected him but I think there is more to it. "I would be glad to. Is there something wrong, Diego?"

"Why would you think something is wrong, Victoria?"

"You hardly touched your food, Diego. That's not like you..."

"I suppose that I have had a lot on my mind lately."

"With all that has been going on...that is no surprise..."

"Will you join us for dinner tonight at the hacienda, Victoria? My father and I would be glad to have the pleasure of your company."

"I would love to, Diego."

There is something important we need to discuss. I will pick you up around seven."

At last, I will know the real man behind the hero's mask.

ZZZ

It was a beautiful, starry night in pueblo de Los Angeles. The only sound for miles was the clatter of hoof beats as the carriage departed for the de la Vega hacienda. Diego's heart skipped a beat. Victoria looked so lovely in the yellow gown she had chosen. Her hair cascaded across her shoulders. She had been lovely as a young girl but over the years, she had become even more beautiful...

"You are so quiet, Diego. Is something troubling you?" Victoria rode alongside Diego in the de la Vega carriage. Gilberto's death had affected her as well as Diego. Life was so unpredictable. Who would have known that her friend would gain a twin brother and lose him in the same hour?

"No, Juan. Just thinking…about life and how unpredictable it is...These past few weeks have opened my eyes to how precious life is and how we shouldn't take anything for granted..."

"I know how it feels to lose a part of your family, Diego. Even though my parents are long gone, they are still with me. Life is a gift that should be cherished."

"Gilberto was my brother but I never given the opportunity to get to know him...to be his brother. I feel a lot closer to you, Victoria than to him. We have always been friends. I remember how I felt when you almost died, Victoria."

"You never left my side when Bishop shot me. I remember waking up and seeing you sleeping in a chair next to my bed."

"I wanted to make sure that you would recover. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you..."

"But you didn't lose me, Diego," she said sympathetically. He cared for me even then and later in the garden…

The moon illuminated the fragrant garden as Victoria leaned against the pole. The señorita sensed the presence of another and turned around to face the intruder. "Señor Zorro."

The masked man glanced at the open door leading into the courtyard and moved closer to the señorita. "You look lovelier than ever."

"Thank you, I am feeling better."

"I've been thinking. You should have a husband. Someone like Diego, perhaps."

"Like Diego? I thought... I thought we shared certain feelings."

"We do. More than you'll ever know."

"We certainly do."

"I will always care for you, Victoria Escalante. You don't know how much you mean to me..."

"You are very special to me, Diego de la Vega and you always will be," she said as she kissed his cheek gently. The taverness glanced once again at Diego's handsome profile. No one else could be Zorro except him. There was no one tall enough or no one with the grace and style of the masked bandit. The way that he spoke...the care and concern that he showed for the people of the pueblo was definitely a de la Vega trait. It had taken a lot of courage to put up with the insults of the people of the pueblo especially those coming from me...I was just as guilty as everyone else...Not seeing the true man behind the façade. I wonder how you endured it for so long, she thought. I love you, Diego de la Vega and I will never underestimate you again...