Chapter 31

Diego stormed over to the tavern intent on talking to Victoria. He had made a huge mistake but he wasn't going to spend the rest of his life paying for it… All the frustration that he had felt for the past few days…frustration over his inability to trust Victoria, frustration over her response to the truth had been hard for him to deal with but now he was ready to take some action...

Victoria started as the door opened somewhat loudly.

"Ramon, would you excuse us? Your sister and I have something we need to settle between us." The older man smirked at the expression on Diego's face and at his tone of voice. Whatever Aria had said had lit a fire under his friend and he could not wait for the fireworks.

"I have nothing to say to you, Diego de la Vega until you calm down." Victoria walked toward the stairs wanting to avoid Diego.

"I have something to say and you are going to listen if I have to throw you over my shoulder."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me, Victoria." The taller man picked Victoria up and walked toward the tavern door.

"Put me down! Diego!"

"Do you really want me to do that? Remember what happened the last time you asked me to put you down. I suggest you come with me before we give the pueblo something to talk about!"

Victoria reluctantly gave in to Diego's request as they approached a waiting Esperanza. The tall caballero placed his former fiancée on the horse and sat behind her quickly. "And just where are you taking me Diego?"

"Somewhere where we won't be disturbed."

Aria and Ramon watched as Diego urged his horse into a canter. "What did you say to Diego that caused such a reaction? Whatever you said it worked wonders. I don't know when I have seen him so upset."

"Just a friendly little kick in the pants so to speak. He is frustrated Ramon. To be so close to his heart's desire and to have it torn from him."

"I wonder how my sister will react…I hope that she gives him a chance..."

ZZZ

The taverness held on to her former fiancée's broad back as they headed toward the hacienda. The way he guided the gentle mare spoke volumes. He handles her so easily and confidently...Why didn't I see it before? Diego guided Esperanza to the stables. After placing Victoria on her feet, he removed the mare's saddle and brushed her gently after giving her a well-deserved treat. "Are you going to tell me why you brought me here or am I going to have to wait all day?"

Diego silenced her with a look. "I want to discuss it in private. Father and Felipe are out so the cave is the perfect place. After you, por favor." Once inside the unoccupied house, he depressed the button opening the passageway to his secret lair and indicated that Victoria follow him down the stairs. The sights and sounds in the cave were evidence that Diego was indeed Zorro but she refused to be distracted by the fact that Diego had lied to her…."I have wanted to talk to you for several days. What I did was wrong. I should have been honest with you from the beginning…"

"You hurt me more than anyone ever has...I feel like such an idiot…The man I have been searching for was right before my eyes and I could not see it!"

"I wanted to tell you but my fear held me back. I was wrong but am I supposed to spend the rest of my life paying for my mistake? Do you think that I enjoyed hiding the truth from you? Seeing you every day, so near and yet so unobtainable…knowing how you felt about Zorro and how you felt about mild-mannered, boring Diego."

"Do you expect instant forgiveness, Diego? We are supposed to love each other...trust each other..."

"I don't expect instant forgiveness but if I had to do it all over again, I would have courted you as myself. Told you the truth from the beginning. I cannot change the past but we can build a future together…"

"I may not want a future with you, Diego. Have you considered that?"

"Look at me, Victoria. Tell me that you don't love me," he demanded, "You can't do it...Can you?"

"You are the most exasperating man I have ever met! I still love you but I don't trust you!"

"I wanted you to love me for myself. You never gave me a second thought. I thought that I was not good enough for you."

"If Zorro had never been created, I would have chosen you, the real you not some image! You were not fair to yourself or to me!"

"I thought that I was protecting you but maybe I was protecting myself…I admit that now...I want to rebuild our relationship."

"I don't want any more lies, anymore pretending or deception of any kind. I need you to be honest with me."

"All I ask is that you give me a chance to regain your trust."

"I need a little more time. Can you understand that?"

"I will give you the time you need. I have decided to tell father the truth. He deserves to know who I really am."

"I am glad that you are going to tell your father, Diego. He deserves to know," Victoria said as she gently squeezed his arm in a show of support.

"While I am waiting, let me give you something to think about." Diego gently gathered Victoria in his arms and kissed her passionately. "I love you and I am willing to wait. If that is what it takes!"