Victoria grumbled annoyed as she was sat at the dinner table next to Diego, tapping her arm with her fingers hissing annoyed.
Both De La Vegas looked concerned at her.
"Victoria." Alejandro then finally spoke up. "I do understand you must be anxious about your tavern, but surely you must agree that as long as you're sick it is not advisable to serve food to the entire pueblo." he commented.
Victoria pouted annoyed and looked away, that wasn't it at all.
"I'm sure we'll both be right as rain very soon." Diego smiled and Victoria turned her head glaring at him which made Diego blink confused.
Yeah, the man had vanished and then magically appeared again claiming he had never even left the Hacienda.
Which was a bold faced lie! And Victoria did not appreciate being lied to her face.
"I hope you two are starting to feel better." Alejandro then injected concerned.
"Oh yes." Diego nodded. "I'm afraid I ended up sleeping the most of the day away, but I felt very refreshened when I woke up!" he smiled.
LIAR! Bloody liar! Diego had not been in his bed in the time period he claimed. He had vanished to god knows where! Diego was full of shit!
"In fact Victoria, I was wondering if perhaps you would like to talk a walk in the garden with me after dinner." Diego suggested. "It's not healthy being in bed all day, we need to be a little physically active as well."
That made Victoria send Diego a death stare and Diego blinked surprised.
"Erh… Victoria." Diego swallowed. "Are you okay? Is something bothering you?" he asked.
Victoria had to bite back, she wanted to complain that her best friend was a two faced liar but they were in front of Alejandro and she really didn't want to create a scene distressing her kind host so she bit back her words turned away and muttered. "I'm fine."
Diego glanced at Victoria then looked questioning at Alejandro whom also had to shrug his shoulders then made a motion for Diego not to question it further.
Diego bit his lip as he glanced down then he looked up again. "Oh I had been meaning to ask!" he then said. "I feel a lot better, so you must to Victoria i'm sure of it. Perhaps you would like to accompany me to the flooded area tomorrow?" he asked. "I mean it's not flooded any longer, but see how the rebuilding goes and if we can lend a hand in anyway."
"Ahem." Alejandro then cleared his throat and Diego turned to him. "Yes you may go and take a look and see if you can help through diplomacy or if there's legal matters you can help with. You're very good at that. But don't overdo it! Don't start trying to carry boards or rocks to re-build houses."
Diego smiled amused. "Father, when have you ever known me for doing such things?" he asked.
"It's Victoria I am more concerned about." Alejandro stated and Diegos smile faltered. "I am asking you to make sure she doesn't overdo it and make it home in the afternoon so she can rest."
"Don Alejandro! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" Victoria exclaimed.
At that Alejandro lifted an eyebrow at her and Victoria pouted as she sat back.
"Well fine." she muttered. Then glanced at Diego and silenced, she saw how he looked at her with those concerned eyes, searching her face for clues and Victoria blushed as she looked down.
Not to soon after did Victoria sit outside in the garden, looking at the flowers Diego had ordered planted for her sake.
Purple jasmine, her favorite… they were beautiful as they stood there swaying in the wind. Hopefully someone would take good care of them, it would be a shame of they withered and died.
Then slowly footsteps approached, Victoria didn't even have to look up to know those tall steps belonged to Diego and then he halted standing a few feet away from her. Victoria didn't need to see it to realize he was looking at her, then finally she lifted her head and turned to Diego meeting his gaze.
Diego swallowed. "Victoria…" he spoke.
"You were not in the Hacienda sleeping today, I checked, several times. You were gone." Victoria commented and Diegos eyes widened. "So what was it this time? An experiment that absolutely needed to be tended to now? A book you wanted to finish though you could just have done so in your room? A rare flower that only bloomed just today?"
Diego exhaled deeply as he looked down. "I was starting going a bit crazy being locked up, I just needed to get out for a bit." he muttered.
And Victoria lifted an eyebrow. "Do your father really have you so much under his thumb that you can't even tell him you want to go for a walk?" she asked. "I know Alejandro can be strict, but really?"
"That's not!" Diego exclaimed then halted and he exhaled deeply. "I see, so that's why you were so angry at the dinner table."
Victoria pouted. "I'm mad that I don't even know my best friend!" she stated. "How can you even be my best friend when I don't even know you?" she asked.
Diego blinked then swallowed, finally he gathered the courage and took a step closer as Victoria didn't react it seemed to encourage Diego and he finally made his way to Victoria and sat down beside her.
Victoria swallowed, but didn't look at Diego, yet she could feel his presence, his body heath, and it annoyed her how comforting it felt even now.
"That's not all that bothers you though is it?" Diego then asked in a gentle voice.
"No." Victoria muttered. "It's a big part of it though." she admitted.
"I see i'm… Sorry." Diego replied abashed. Then hesitated. "Victoria I… These last few days, when we got to be together I just… I enjoyed it a lot." he then admitted. "I really liked being able to spend time with you and I… I hope we can do it some more, even when we are both healthy."
"I hope that to." Victoria admitted then groaned. "Oh god! I'm such a terrible person!"
"Victoria?" Diego blinked. "Why would you say that?! You're not a terrible person! You're the most amazing woman I have even met!"
"No i'm not i'm awful!" Victoria exclaimed. "I'm in love with two men! And I promised myself away already, it's not right I should fall in love with another now!"
"WHAT?!" That made a reaction come from Diego. "Two.. TWO!" he exclaimed and he seemed to pale. "I… You're in love with Zorro right?!" he asked.
And Victoria nodded as she swallowed.
"Then who is the other?!" Diego asked in a desperate voice grabbing her shoulders and met her eyes with desperate eyes. "Who?!" he asked. "Victoria tell me!"
At that Victoria looked at him, her tearfilled eyes told the entire story and Diegos eyes widened.
"What?" Diego asked. "Re-Really?" he asked.
And Victoria nodded as she sniffed. "I know, i'm just like a sister to you. I'm sorry, I didn't mean."
Diego though didn't look angry, a smile was playing at his lip and he had to bite his own lip to maintain a serious look yet he failed. "Victoria I… I don't know what to say! I.. I'm flattered I."
"Don't mock me Diego." Victoria pouted looking away.
"I'm not!" Diego exclaimed. "In fact I… erh… What I mean is.. I." he swallowed.
Victoria hissed annoyed and Diego exhaled.
"Victoria look." Diego then spoke in a soft voice. "Remember when you asked me… if there was someone I loved. Yes, there's someone I loved very much back then, and I still love her now, more than you can possible know." he said.
And Victorias heart twisted as she looked away, though then Diego gently touched her chin and guided her head back so their eyes met and Victoria was stunned by the love and sincerity in his eyes.
"I just never thought she would ever love me back." Diego admitted. "I mean, who can ever hope to compete with the likes of Zorro."
And Victorias eyes widened as she realized. "Oh god…" she swallowed. "Diego… I…"
Diego didn't speak but patiently waited for her to finish.
"I can't!" Victoria exclaimed as she stood up. "Zorro needs me! He could die, I don't want him to die! I love him!" she exclaimed.
Diego to looked lost for words at her outburst and Victoria sniffed.
"This is so wrong!" Victoria exclaimed. "I…" and then she turned around and ran.
"VICTORIA!" Diego shouted as he stood up stretching out his arm but was frozen on the spot not knowing what to do.
Then finally he groaned as he sat down, covering his face with his hands. "I'm an idiot!" he hissed to himself.