There was little rest for Victoria to have that night, confusion, guilt and even loneliness filled her up from the inside.
Often when Victoria had felt lonely beforehand, she had secretly imagined Zorro laying next to her in bed, holding her in his arms. But now that image just overwhelmed Victoria with guilt, especially because her mind and fantasies kept bouncing back and forth between Zorro and Diego.
First as it had started to slowly become light outside did Victoria fall a sleep, and thusly she woke up as the sun stood tall on the sky and it had to be around midday.
Victoria groaned as she sat up in bed, she had slept longer than she could ever remember having slept before, and yet she did not feel rested in the least. She felt even more terrible than the day before, but she couldn't stay in bed any longer so she got up, put on her dress and turned to a mirror only to wrinkle in dismay over her unruly hair and the large bags under her eyes.
She tried to do her best to comb her hair, yet somehow it didn't seem to help and Victoria just gave up heading out of the room and into the hacienda.
How-ever as Victoria walked around she realized the house was basically empty. "Diego?" she called. "Don Alejandro? Philipe?" she called out as she walked from the dining room to the library but saw no one.
That is until quick foot steps came running and Victoria turned around to face a young maid.
"Señorita Escalante, you have woken!" The maid gasped then curtsied. "Do you require breakfast? Don Diego De La Vega asked us to put something aside for you."
"Oh, well. I suppose a cup of coffee would be nice." Victoria admitted.
"Si Señorita." The maid nodded. "Do you wish to have your coffee and breakfast served in your room or the dining hall?" she asked. "The weather is also lovely outside if you wish to sit in the garden."
"The garden sounds lovely." Victoria admitted. "Erhm, have you seen Diego or Don Alejandro?" she asked.
"I don't know where Don Diego is." The maid admitted. "But i'm pretty sure Don Alejandro is out on the field. I could send someone to fetch him if you like."
"Oh no, please don't. I was just wondering." Victoria assured. "Do you know where Philipe is?" she then asked.
"I assume with Don Diego. They usually disappear together." The maid admitted.
"Disappear?" Victoria asked wondering.
"Oh it's just what we call it." The maid assured. "Don Diego and Phillipe is often away from the hacienda without anyone knowing where they truly are. Usually it's just for some hours, but sometimes it can even be for days. Don Diego often claims he is doing research, but between you and me. Most of us have been figuring out that he's dodging his duties at the ranch leaving poor Don Alejandro with the entire work load."
"That's terrible." Victoria gasped.
The maid nodded. "Don't get me wrong, I know Don Diego is a very intelligent man. But it's not very noble to avoid his duties like this is it?" she asked.
"No." Victoria admitted. "Do you have any idea when Diego will come back?"
"No idea." The maid answered honestly. "When he's gone like this without warning, it could be minutes, hours or an entire day before he makes it back. Maria really likes to complain about it, she never knows if she's supposed to prepare dinner for two or just the one." she exhaled referring to the cook of the hacienda.
"I can see how that would be frustrating." Victoria admitted.
"You shouldn't have to worry about that though señorita, please take a seat in the garden. I shall bring you a breakfast shortly." The maid assured.
"Gracias." Victoria smiled lightly.
It really was lovely sitting in the De La Vega garden with the freshly brewed coffee, fresh orange juice and a selection of fruit, bread cheese and sausages.
And even though Victoria was only nibbling at the items, she could appreciate their qualities. Her mind though was at a far off place as she zoned out.
It was true, Diego had a habit of disappearing. Again and again, Victoria had noticed that herself. But that even the servants didn't even know where he went.
Victoria had already concluded he was helping Zorro at least in some capacity, but how far did it go? How big a part of his life did it take up?
Victoria closed her eyes and tried to remember, all the times Diego had disappeared and no one had known where to.
And now when Victoria re-called all those incidents, there were so many of them. When Palamorez had come and tried to capture Zorro, when the Pueblo had been under siege and everyone had stood together to fight. Where had Diego been then? He had been there one moment and then he was gone.
Where do you go Diego? Sadly Victoria looked in front of herself as it started to sink in, just how much about her best friend she didn't know. And how sad that actually made her feel.
She thought they told each other everything, that they trusted each other. But as it turned out, that couldn't be the case. And more than anything, that just made Victoria feel sad and disappointed.
Sighing Victoria reached for her coffee cup and took a sip, just as she saw an older gentleman walking towards her.
Alejandro lightened up by the sight of her, he smiled and winked as he reached her. "You're up I see." he commented.
"Yes I… I really have overslept." Victoria blushed deeply.
"That's al right, you're here to relax dear." Alejandro nodded as he sat down in the chair opposite Victorias. "How are you feeling Victoria?"
"Oh, much better." Victoria nodded. "Just… a little tired." she admitted.
Alejandro nodded understandable. "Take all the rest you need."
"Oh I wont stay here for to long." Victoria blushed looking down. "I don't want to be a bother, and I need to run my tavern."
"Victoria, you would never be a bother. You know that right?" Alejandro asked.
And Victoria blushed again then nodded. "I know." she assured then glanced up. "Don Alejandro. I was asking for Diego, but no one seems to know where he is. Do you know?" she asked.
"No idea." Alejandro exhaled deeply. "I don't know what to do with that boy, I never know where he is." he admitted leaning back in the chair looking up at the sky. "He's only where we agreed to meet half the time, and the rest of the time. Well who knows?!" he asked. "Off doing science projects or read or what-ever he does. I don't know." he fully admitted and sighed deeply. "Don't get me wrong, i'm sure what-ever he does in science is very impressive and could be important. But he needs to learn how to balance it better with his duty you know. People have to work to make room for passion projects. People need to priorities."
"That's true." Victoria exhaled deeply thinking about how she had had to work day and night to be able to become a tavern owner, and now that she actually did own the tavern she still had to work nearly every single day from dawn to dusk. She couldn't afford any hobbies or passion projects herself, it just didn't work that way.
Then she glanced at Alejandro… So he didn't know where Diego went off to either. Diego hadn't told either of them it seemed.
"Well, lets not talk about that." Alejandro asked. "How have you been Victoria? Diego tells me you have been stressed. Is there something bothering you?"
Victoria bit her lip as she swallowed then shook her head. "No. Not at all." she said. "Well you know, aside from the usual. The Alcalde never seems to learn does he? Honestly, sometimes it drives me up the walls how thick headed that man can be." she admitted. "Instead of doing his job, he is just concentrating on beating the people with a flagpole. And then Zorro not only have to slap some sense into him, but also do his job for him."
Alejandro exhaled deeply. "Indeed." he nodded. "Perhaps Zorro ought to stop doing the Alcaldes job for him so we can send a message back to Spain about how incompetent our Alcalde is and hopefully get a competent one." he said.
"But then people would get hurt." Victoria pointed out.
"Yes, and neither I nor Zorro would allow that. So I suppose that's our dilemma right there." Alejandro exhaled deeply.
"I wont allow it either." Victoria pointed out.
"I know my dear." Alejandro smiled wryly. "You truly have grown into a remarkable woman, and I couldn't be prouder of you. Not even if you were my own flesh and blood." he said without hesitating making Victoria smile and blush. "And may I say, i'm very happy that at least, Diego has you." he said.
"Don Alejandro, i'm not sure what you mean." Victoria admitted.
Alejandro smiled a little sadly. "I think you do. I'm old Victoria, I may not look like it but I have begun to feel it. I am becoming more tired more easily and I wont be here forever. Then Diego will be all alone, that is… Except for you and Philipe. I know you will be there to hold that son of my by the ear and hold him accountable." he stated in a slightly amused smile. "You will be there to give him that kick he deserves but also support him when he is in need. That does put my mind at ease." he admitted with closed eyes.
"Don Alejandro please don't talk like that." Victoria gaped. "You have plenty of time left!" she exclaimed. "Decades! And you're strong, so don't say stuff like that!"
Alejandro chuckled amused then shook his head. "You're right Victoria." he said. "Don't listen to me, it's just an old mans ramblings."
Defeated Victoria looked at Alejandro then exhaled deeply. "I'm worried about him too." she then admitted. "Diego can be so… I don't even know. But, when it truly matters, he has always come through in the end. I'm sure things will work out Don Alejandro. You'll see." she smiled lightly. "Diego will come through."
Alejandro send Victoria and appreciating smile. "Thank you Victoria." he said. "It does me good to hear you have such confidence in him. I will try to have more confidence as well." he assured.
"Your son is loved, you don't need to doubt that." Victoria assured then bit her lip as she looked towards the flowers.
Where do you go?… Diego.