Chapter 2. Suspicions.
Diego found it difficult to get up in the morning. It had taken him a long time to fall asleep, trying to find a solution to the situation he himself had created. The mask was becoming more and more of a prison, he was trapped in his own lie.
He shaved and put on one of his lighter suits, the heat could already be felt at that time of the morning, it was going to be a sweltering day.
He headed to the dining room for breakfast. His father was reading a Monterrey newspaper.
"Good morning father, when is that newspaper from?"
"Good morning Diego. It's dated last week." said his father without looking up from the article he was reading. "You're up early today."
"Yes, it's better to take advantage of the morning hours, when it's not so hot yet."
"Right. Are you going to the newspaper office?"
"Yes, I was thinking of eating at the tavern later."
"I have a meeting with don Aurelio, so I'll see you there at 1 o'clock."
"I´ll be there." he said finishing his coffee.
After spending a morning reviewing the articles he wanted to publish, Diego headed for the tavern. The alcalde was also there with Mendoza and some soldiers.
"Hello Victoria." said Diego as she approached a table that was available. "I see that almost the entire garrison is here."
"Yes, I think they don't want to light the fire in their kitchen so that area of the barracks doesn't get hot, so they've come to eat here."
"The bad thing is they give you more work."
"That they do, but we'll manage. Would you like some chicken stew?"
"Yes, thank you. Is that what takes you the least effort to prepare?"
"The truth is yes, we've prepared a big pot and it's already ready, it's just serving it."
"Well, put it on my father's plate too, he must be just about to arrive."
Victoria smiled. "Of course, I'll send them now."
As she headed for the kitchen, de Soto decided to go over to ask Diego if he knew anything about the new governor who was supposed to arrive in a few weeks.
Don Alejandro walked through the door and upon seeing Diego headed toward him. It was already starting to get hot inside the tavern, and Diego rubbed his neck a little uncomfortably. The movement caught the alcalde's attention. "Why, Don Diego, you seem to have had an interesting night yesterday. Were you doing research for an article?"
"I don't understand what you mean." he replied calmly.
"That mark you have on your neck." said the alcalde with a smirk.
Pilar, Victoria's assistant was approaching with the order and left the plates on the table in silence, although she was listening to every word.
Don Alejandro approached the table a little faster when he saw the alcalde in front of Diego. He did not like de Soto's expression at all. "Buenos días señor alcalde." he said in a dry tone.
"Buenos días Don Alejandro." replied the other man turning to him.
"Can my son and I help you in any way?"
"I don't think so, don Diego and I were just chatting among gentlemen." said de Soto. "Although it is possible that don Diego was not very gentlemanly yesterday." said de Soto pointing to Diego's neck.
"You're jumping to the wrong conclusions." replied Diego. "It will be a peck from any insect, or a skin irritation from the heat."
"I see, they call it that now. It seems to me that you've finally committed an indiscretion despite the fact that you've had us all fooled so far." said the alcalde mockingly. Then he looked a little better and tugged at the collar of Diego's shirt to reveal a little of his shoulder. "Did you have a passionate encounter with a mosquito or was it more like a wildcat?" he said pointing to a small scratch.
Pilar was entertaining herself a bit by picking up the dishes from the next table so she could continue to listen to what they were saying. She slyly glanced at Diego's neck and couldn't help a smile. Both the mayor and Don Alejandro were looking at Diego and their backs were turned to Pilar, but Diego did see the girl's reaction and looked uncomfortable, finally he raised his eyes to the alcalde. "I must have gotten a graze myself when I scratched, don't you have anything else to do but make up my private life?"
"Of course, you deny it. A gentleman never discovers his lady...or whatever she is. Though there may be more than one. Now I understand your reluctance to marry. Why settle for one when you can have many?"
"If you have nothing more to tell us you had better let us eat in peace." said Don Alejandro sitting down in front of his plate to end the conversation.
"All right, have a good afternoon," said de Soto.
"The same to you," said Don Alejandro in a bad mood.