Chapter Seven: The Prankster Returns (Part 1)
Three days had come and gone since Riviera had demanded unreasonable taxes from the citizens of Los Angeles, and he had not made attempts since. It had leaked out of the cuartel that the Commandante was found bound and gagged, unarmed, in his private quarters, along with a large 'Z' carved into the wall. Diego knew it would be a matter of time before Riviera revealed a new plot, and Juarez was still at large, but he could not refrain from visiting Lolita and her family…nor could he hide his eagerness to visit.
"Buenos dias, señoritas!" Diego greeted both Lolita and Carlotta as he and Bernardo pulled up to the Pulido hacienda. "How are the preparations for tonight's masked ball going?"
"Splendid, Don Diego," Carlotta said, batting her eyelashes at him as she usually did. "You will, of course, attend?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he promised, his eyes softening as he saw Lolita looking lovely in a pale pink dress, with translucent sleeves that flowed and cuffed around her wrists. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail that day, with wildflowers linked to her hair ribbon. "You look radiant," Diego breathed before he could stop himself, making Carlotta fume behind his back.
"Gracias, Diego," Lolita blushed, reaching out to fix his tie. "You're looking rather dashing yourself. This royal blue color with the gold fringe suits you."
"Well then, I shall have to wear it more often," he jested, offering his arms to both sisters to avoid any unnecessary prods from Carlotta. "Shall we?" Once everyone was settled in the carriage, Diego took the reins and got the horses moving, chatting amiably with the girls about the party as they rode into town. "Tell me, were are Yolanda and Consuela?"
"Consuela decided to stay behind and help with the cooking. I'm hoping to bring Beatriz back so she can help also and make some of those scrumptious pasteles for tonight," Lolita explained. "Yolanda wasn't feeling well when she woke up…a slight headache, I believe. She should be fine by tonight."
"I hope you have your costume ready," Carlotta interjected, playing with her lavish red curls. "I think you'll adore what I have picked out."
"Oh, I'm sure I will," Diego agreed politely, glancing over at Bernardo. He nearly burst out laughing as he saw the mute man make a face by puckering his lips and batting his eyelashes, imitating the redhead that sat behind him. "And you, Lolita? What do you have planned?"
"Mother thought it would be best if we all dressed as princesses from fairy tales," she answered with a shrug. "Yolanda will be Cinderella, Carlotta decided she wanted to be Rapunzel-"
"My wig will be extravagant, you'll see," Carlotta winked.
"And you, Lolita?" Diego insisted, much to Carlotta's annoyance.
"Papá has asked me to be Snow White," she admitted sheepishly. "The costume is a bit much, but-"
"Nonsense, I'm sure it will be lovely!" exclaimed Diego. "I'm afraid I don't have any particular costume picked out, however, I did find a mask."
"Will Bernardo be able to come?" Lolita asked, grinning impishly. "Consuela was hoping she'd see him again so that he could try a new recipe she's been meaning to use."
"Ay caramba," Carlotta grumbled beneath her breath.
At the mention of Consuela, Bernardo became wide-eyed and glanced at Diego, who pretended to sign to him what Lolita had said. Bernardo beamed at this and looked back, nodded his head excitedly at Lolita, who laughed at his child-like reaction. "Then I'll tell her the good news."
Diego shook his head with an amused smile, urging the horses on until they arrived in town. Pulling them to a halt, Diego and Bernardo hurried to help the women down when a man approached them.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my old friend," the young man smirked, cocking an eyebrow at Diego.
Diego turned around slowly, fighting a grimace from his lips as he recognized the voice. Forcing a smile on, he offered his hand to the man. "Ricardo del Amo! It's been almost a year since I've seen you! You've left Monterey?"
"I had to," Ricardo shrugged sadly. "Since Ana Maria got married, there was no point in waiting around."
"Ana Maria got married?! To whom?" Diego demanded, his brows furrowing at the news. He still thought fondly of Ana Maria, but he had a never quite gotten over the fact that she was completely head over heels for Zorro, and merely thought of Diego de la Vega as a friend.
"Some don who moved in from Mexico," scowled Ricardo until he looked up and saw Carlotta and Lolita watching on with Bernardo in interest. "…of course, you seem to have pleasant and beautiful company here in Los Angeles," he said, a smooth smile plastered onto his face. "Please excuse me, señoritas, allow me to introduce myself. I am Ricardo del Amo from San Francisco…and I am honored to be in your presence."
"My, my," Carlotta giggled, fanning herself as she allowed him to kiss her hand. "What a charming friend you have, Don Diego. Señor, I am Carlotta Sanchez del Castillo, stepdaughter to Don Carlos Pulido. We arrived from Spain not a week ago."
"What a blessing to have you here," Ricardo winked, earning another set of giggles from her.
Lolita rolled her eyes. This was the first male who was paying her a portion of attention she was used to and already she was acting like a drunken monkey.
"And you, señorita?" Ricardo asked, smirking as he felt Diego's eyes on his back.
"Lolita Pulido," she answered curtly, allowing him to kiss her hand. "You were waiting around for a woman in Monterey?"
"A dear friend whom I care for deeply," Ricardo explained, straightening and fixing his tie. "I waited around to make sure she was absolutely happy with her new husband. Diego, on the other hand, let business take him away from Monterey. He really can be a bit self-absorbed, especially when it comes to his own interests," he said merrily.
Bernardo gripped Diego's arm, sensing that his master was already letting Ricardo get to his nerves and pride. His worry dissipated when he heard Lolita speak up. "There must be some mistake, señor. Don Diego is one of the most attentive and caring people I know in Los Angeles, aside from the outlaw they call Zorro."
Within a second, Ricardo and Diego switched expressions; Ricardo gawked in horror while Diego grinned mischievously. "Zorro…in Los Angeles?"
"Unfortunately," Carlotta groaned. "It's all anyone ever talks about."
"You've met him?" Ricardo asked Lolita, irking Carlotta as he took a step closer to her.
"Several times since I've moved here," she nodded the affirmative. She looked away and smiled, becoming dazed as she remembered him. "He's a guardian angel who comes out at night."
"Oh, please," Carlotta scoffed.
Ricardo chuckled uncertainly. "You really shouldn't consort with masked men, señorita-"
"I feel much safer with him than with you, to be perfectly frank," she frowned, pushing past him. "If you'll excuse me, I have to find a friend. Diego, I'll meet you back here in five minutes." She paused as she came to him, her brows furrowing as she noticed a stray strand of his dark hair falling over his forehead. "Hold still," she said, using her fingertips to gently brush it back and tuck it into place. Diego felt his heart skip a beat at this, his breath hitching as she smiled. "There, that's better."
"Gracias…" he said softly, his eyes widening as he saw her blush.
"Um…I…I'll be back with Beatriz in a moment," she promised, lifting her skirts as she hurried away.
With wistful eyes, Diego watched her go, feeling the warm, tight sensation in his chest increase by tenfold. He remembered coming to Lolita's window just a few nights before, hearing her doubt herself and speak of her interest in both Diego and Zorro…he had admitted it to Bernardo that night, and seeing her reaction now made his belief intensify. He was certain she cared about him, though she refused to say anything and acted friendly towards him. He couldn't recall the last time a woman made him feel so alive and clearly show she felt something in return without having to say a word.
"Well, I'll just be going to the china shop…alone…" Carlotta glanced over her fan at the two men, only to snarl and stomp off much to Bernardo's amusement.
"Well, Diego…that's quite a feisty woman you've got there," Ricardo noted, stroking his chin as he came up to his childhood friend.
"Yes…she's very special," Diego chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked over at Ricardo. "So, what brings you to Los Angeles? Will you be here long?"
"Oh, I don't know," he shrugged, strolling casually alongside Diego as Bernardo trailed behind. "I was planning on purchasing some cattle for my father's rancho and staying a week or so…but, as I see you have wonderful company, I think I might be persuaded to stay a while-"
"Don Diego, I-…Oh! Señor del Amo!" Sergeant Garcia called out, saluting the two caballeros as he approached them. "It has been some time since we last met!"
"Hola, Sergeant," Ricardo greeted the stout man cordially, bowing his head to him.
"Buenos dias, Sergeant," Diego said to his friend, mimicking Ricardo's welcome.
"Buenos dias…hello, little one!" Garcia grinned, wiggling his fingers at Bernardo, who dumbly responded in the same manner, a clueless smile on his face. "I do hope you're not up to your old tricks again, señor. I warn you, we have a stern Commandante and two very serious Capitans now."
"You're joking," Ricardo laughed, his smile disappearing as he saw both Garcia and Diego shake their heads solemnly. "Oh? That bad, eh?"
"Worse than what you think," Garcia whispered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening. "But you didn't hear that from me."
"Of course not, Sergeant," Diego chuckled, placing a hand on the man's shoulder in sympathy.
"Say, why don't we head over to the posada while the women are busy?" Ricardo suggested, smirking as he saw Garcia's face light up.
"I'm afraid I can't stay long," Diego protested, pursing his lips in contemplation as he saw the sergeant's face fall. "Well…maybe for one drink. Sergeant, will you join us?"
"Oh, gracias! Gracias, Don Diego," the chubby man exclaimed, looking like a child at Christmas.
Diego walked to the right of Garcia while Ricardo hopped over to the left, a rather large smile set on his lips. Diego frowned in suspicion – he looked as though he were a cat who had eaten a canary behind his master's back. Had he bothered to turn around, he might have seen Bernardo trying to wave a message to him.
Walking towards the mute man at that moment were Lolita and Beatriz, with Carlotta trailing behind them, whining of the heat. Lolita made a face as she saw Bernardo frantically waving his hands. "Beatriz, what on earth is he trying to say?"
"I think he's saying to back away," Beatriz answered, raising an eyebrow questioningly. "But why…"
Lolita's eyes moved to see a horse trough placed by the posts just before the door of the posada. There by the trough was a shiny spot, as though oil had been tactfully placed in the corner for a specific reason. As reason began to click in her mind, Lolita's eyes widened in worry. "Oh, dear!" she exclaimed, lifting her skirts and running as fast as she could. Diego and Sergeant Garcia were walking closer, unsuspecting of the trick Ricardo had set up, still facing the man as they continued to talk. "Diego!" she screamed, shoving her arms out and skidding to a halt. "Stop-!" No sooner had her hands landed on his chest and she had sent him stumbling back, the toe of her boot slipped on the oil. Her heart stopped as she leaned back to regain her balance, causing her to trip and fall backwards. Within seconds, she was submersed in water.
"Lolita!" Diego cried, running to the girl when he noticed the moist, shining earth at the corner of the trough. His brows furrowed in anger as he glared over his shoulder at Ricardo. "Is this your idea of making a good first impression?!"
Sergeant Garcia gawked at Lolita, stunned that she had bothered to push Diego out of harm's way. He scurried over in time to bump into Beatriz and Bernardo, who were frantic with worry as Diego pulled a drenched Lolita out of the water. Ricardo stayed back, pinching the bridge of his nose in embarrassment. His prank for Diego had gone awry…all because of one variable he hadn't counted on.
As Lolita was helped out of the water, she felt her stomach twist as Carlotta's voice rang in the air, her laughter sharp and loud. "The look suits you, Lolita! All washed up in your own noble deed!" she snickered, hiding her mouth behind her faithful fan.
Lolita sputtered and coughed as Diego and Bernardo pulled her out, her skin burning in embarrassment as she stood before the group, soaked to the bone and spilling water everywhere because of her dress. She could feel her eyes stinging with tears as she listened to Carlotta's taunts, and try as she might, she could not block them out…not with Diego seeing her like this. Shoving past everyone, she ran from them, dragging her wet skirts until she was hidden behind a wall of old crates behind the posada. Falling to her knees, she covered her face with her hands and let the tears fall free. Flashes of faces passed through her mind, Carlotta's cruel laughter echoing in her ears. "I can't cry…I can't let them see me cry…I have to be brave, and strong…don't let them see you cry, you big baby…!"
"Lolita!"
Hearing Diego's voice jolted her out of her memory, making her gasp in surprise. As she began to look up, she felt Diego place his jacket upon her shoulders, wrapping a protective arm around her. "And I thought it was the man's job to protect the woman," he jested, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket. Lolita laughed, though her tears would not stop. She accepted Diego's hand as he gently wiped her face clean, his eyes sorrowfully watching her. "That trick was meant for me, Lolita. Ricardo's always played pranks on everyone since he was a child, I've become accustomed to it…I never imagined you would…" Cupping his fingers under her chin, he turned her face towards his, his brows knitting together in confusion. "Why did you do that?"
She fought to blink back more tears as she looked into his eyes, enjoying the warmth of his body against hers. "…as a child, I was teased and taunted…it made me lash out at them, and I tried hard not to cry. It would only make me look weak, especially in front of some of those that thought themselves superior…when I saw how they treated those who were not of our class, it made me angry…that's why I'm so…outspoken, I suppose." She looked away, her wet locks falling over her face. "No one was around to help me, so I became a friend to those who needed help…when my father married Catalina, and Carlotta moved into our home, she used to tease me every day, especially in front of her suitors." Sniffling, she pulled the jacket close around her, still avoiding Diego's eyes. "…I don't know why today she got to me…I just felt so…"
"Vulnerable?" he asked, brushing his fingertips across her forehead and tucking her hair behind her ear. He watched as she nodded, a pang of guilt washing through him as she realized she had pushed him away to protect him, even if it meant exposing herself to others. "…thank you, Lolita," he said softly, pulling her close to his chest. His heart pounded madly as she placed her head upon his shoulder, her hand resting upon his chest. "…Last year, when I was in Monterey, Ricardo and I were both in love with a woman named Ana Maria."
"The woman he mentioned that got married?"
"Sí, we both had our sights on her…would you believe me if I told you that Ricardo wanted me out of the way so badly, he played a trick on Sergeant Garcia to have me arrested?" he grinned, watching as she gaped at him in shock.
"What?!" she said. "You were placed in jail?!"
"Overnight. He brought Ana Maria the next morning to show me off," he chuckled, shaking his head.
"What an awful thing to do," she frowned, only furthering Diego's laughter. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, it's just…you look so indignant on my behalf," he answered, fighting to stop himself. "I'm sorry, Lolita-"
"You're not the one who should be apologizing," she shook her head, a smile growing on her lips. "You've been a true friend and gallant caballero since I arrived…gracias."
Taking her hands into his own, he looked her in the eye and vowed, "I promise you, Lolita…I will always be here for you, just as you have been here for me." He sealed the promise with a kiss on her knuckles, secretly pleased as he saw how she blushed. "Now then…how about we get you home before you catch a cold?" Taking her in his arms, he helped her up and walked her out towards the plaza where the carriage awaited them.
The moment the pair stepped out, Ricardo and Sergeant Garcia paused in their debate and looked to them. "Oh, Don Diego! Is the señorita all right?" the plump officer asked as he ran over to them, his face contorted with worry.
"I think so, Sergeant. I think it's best if I take her home," Diego nodded, noticing how Beatriz and Bernardo sat in the carriage, ignoring an indignant Carlotta as they awaited for Diego and Lolita to return.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Sergeant," she said kindly, standing on her toes to peck a kiss onto his unshaven cheek. The sergeant seemed to melt like butter, a weak smile appearing on his face as he sighed in contentment.
Ricardo stepped forth, his hands clasped behind his back as he meekly approached the pair. "I, ah…I want to apologize for this little…incident. No hard feelings, Diego?"
"Oh, no, Ricardo," Diego smiled amiably. "However, I don't believe the señorita feels the same way."
Ricardo smiled at Lolita, only to look away as he saw her glaring daggers at him. "…please, Señorita Lolita, it was just a joke meant for an old friend. I had no intention of having you mixed up in all this. Please forgive me." His eyes widened as she wrung her long, wet black hair before him, sprinkling his clothes with water before turning away and taking Diego's arm.
"Diego, I'm feeling a little cold. Will you please take me back home?" she asked sincerely, ignoring Ricardo's weak protests behind her.
"I would be honored, Lolita," he answered merrily, glancing back at Ricardo and saluting him before guiding her back to the coach.
Ricardo watched them leave, jealousy burning within him. Lolita was indeed beautiful, and her fiery reactions – though many would call it uncouth and unladylike – made something burn within him. He desired to have her at his arm, directing curt remarks at others who would dare to cross him. She seemed completely loyal to Diego, but whether it was friendly faithfulness or protective, romantic interest in the young don, he was uncertain. Still, he craved for her attention, and seeing as how she was unafraid to answer him with actions as to how she felt about his deed, he could tell she was a powerful ally both in personality and financially.
"Sergeant," Corporal Reyes said as he approached the dazed sergeant. Placing a hand on him and shaking him, Reyes insisted, "Sergeant, we better get back. Capitan Fernandez says if we want to attend the Pulido's masked ball, we need to finish all our duties."
"Ah-huh…huh?!" Garcia snapped out of his trance, his eyes bulging out of their sockets as he came back down to reality. "Madre de Díos! We have work to do!" Without a second glance at Ricardo, he turned on his heel and ran after Corporal Reyes, the two of them making a beeline for the cuartel.
Ricardo pursed his lips at this and thought a moment, stroking his chin. Lolita may not think badly of Diego, and Ricardo certainly couldn't go after his old friend now with any tricks until Lolita had cooled off…Zorro, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He had seen the way Lolita became starry-eyed at the mention of that wretched bandito's name…a man in a mask can never be trusted, though. A plan began to formulate in his mind as he began to scheme a way to make himself look better in the selective señorita's eyes. "A masked ball tonight, eh?" he murmured, grinning to himself as he walked back to the posada, eager to return to his room. "I'd better get to work – 'el Zorro' shouldn't be late for tonight's festivities..."