Chapter 29
The Cave...
Diego paced the floor of the cave. If only I had been honest from the beginning, none of this would have happened. I should have known that she would figure it out on her own…I was racing against time….Trying to get her to the altar before she discovered my secret… What a fool I have been… "Ramon, what are you doing here?"
"I did not see you and my sister after the party..."
"Victoria called off our engagement. I lost her because I was afraid to tell her the truth! I would not blame her if she never forgives me," the tall caballero brushed away a solitary tear that slid down his cheek.
"It was bound to come out..."
"I cannot handle a sermon on honesty right now."
"You need to do something…"
"Other than getting down on my hands and knees and begging for forgiveness?"
"Talk to her..."
"Why would she believe me when I lied to her?"
"She might listen to me..."
"How could you talk to her without revealing that you know I am Zorro? I don't want to jeopardize your relationship with your sister…I must fight my own battles."
ZZZ
Victoria was drained ...This evening had started off with so much promise but ended so badly. The man that she loved and trusted had hidden part of himself from her…Zorro the Fox was scientific, mild-mannered Diego de la Vega...Why did lie to me? Why didn't he trust me? I wanted Diego to be more charismatic and demonstrative like Zorro. My wish came true...I have the perfect man…Well that wasn't exactly true. He is a man with faults like any other man. He's a good actor. I will concede that point…
"I thought you would have gone to bed by now," Aria quietly opened the door, "Too excited to sleep?"
"The engagement is off."
"You love each other. Why would you call off your engagement?"
"He lied to me…"
"Diego is the most honest person that I know! What would he lie about?"
"I fell in love with Diego only to discover that Diego and Zorro are the same man," Victoria wiped the single tear falling from her cheek.
"Diego...is...is..Zorro. I don't believe it!"
"Diego fooled us for years!"
"Surely, you can forgive him…You love him."
"In time, I may be able to forgive him…but right now, I do not trust him…"
"You don't have to decide right now…You need your rest..Goodnight, Victoria." Oh what a twisted web we weave…I wonder if Ramon knows...
The breakfast table...
Diego and Victoria barely talked to each other. The couple seemed quite happy the previous evening. I hope that nothing is wrong. I hope my son will tell me what is troubling him...
"Ramon, could I speak with you later."
If my sister has confided in Aria, I am in for an interrogation. "I have a few matters to discuss with Diego and then I will be happy to speak with you...in the garden. Diego…"
ZZZ
"You don't look as though you got much sleep last night, Diego."
"I tossed and turned all night thinking of the mess that I made…I regret not telling Victoria. I would be anything to restore her faith in me."
"Victoria loves you but she needs time."
"Does Aria know, Ramon?"
"I believe that is why she wants to talk to me now."
"I never wanted any of this to interfere with your life..."
"I can handle Aria and my little sister if needed."
ZZZ
Victoria and Aria remained at the table waiting for the two men to finish their conversation.."They have been out there for quite some time, Aria. I suppose Ramon knows about last night..."
"They have become quite close...Diego needs a friend right about now."
"Why wouldn't Ramon tell me?"
"It was not his place to tell you..."
"Diego should have trusted me. I deserved the chance, Aria!"
"He has played a part for years… the scholarly, man of science and the dashing outlaw who swept you off your feet."
"I will never know what could have happened if he had been honest with me from the beginning."
"I cannot excuse what he has done but what the two of you have is very rare. In all this time has Diego ever failed you?"
"He has always been a man of his word until he concealed the most important secret of his life."
"No one is perfect Victoria."
"I never wanted perfection. All I wanted was honesty."
"Trust can be rebuilt. I will see if I can find that brother of yours. We have a lot to discuss."
The Garden...
"I was wondering when you and Diego would finish your little talk."
"I am sure my Victoria told you everything."
"And exactly what is everything, Ramon?"
"Don't be coy, Aria. It does not suit you."
"Very well, then. Diego is Zorro. How long have you known?"
"I don't remember seeing you last night. I thought that perhaps you might be entertaining someone…a lady friend, perhaps."
"I was helping a friend."
"Aren't we being mysterious? And exactly who is this friend?"
"A gentleman never reveals all of his secrets. Besides, the alcalde is always looking for Zorro but he'll probably never find him."
"When Zorro was wounded rescuing Jose Moreno, you took care of him, didn't you, Ramon? That was months ago…"
"I followed him that night...Felipe and I tended to his wounds…"
"Don Alejandro doesn't know. Does he?"
"No. He would be surprised at how alike they are."
"How long can Diego continue this deception?"
"He hurt the very people that he has sworn to protect."
"I will be there for Victoria if she needs me."
"Quite a turnaround for two women who hated each other."
"We have someone in common that we love very much."
"And who might that be?" Ramon kissed Aria's hand gently.