A new year and the Christmas stories are complete. So, I have no excuses to try to work on this story and post new chapters.
Chapter 2
Feeling happier within than he had in years, actually, ever since Diego had left, Alejandro looked at his son, who had come home for the first time in years and sat at the table. He had a smile on his face that wouldn't fade. From now on, things will improve. Not only for him on the hacienda but certainly also for the people in the pueblo. Diego was intelligent and wouldn't allow injustice. Together, they would make it clear to alcalde Ramon that one shouldn't mess with the la Vega men.
At Alejandro's request, Inez had prepared Diego's favourite dish. Unfortunately, Inez lacked the cooking skills of the previous housekeeper and the secret recipe for the sauce with the arroz con pollo. Nevertheless, it didn't taste bad.
"Diego, tell me everything about Madrid. How did you like the big city? It's very different from here in Los Angeles, isn't it? How is my brother-in-law and his wife? Were they in good health when you left?"
"Yes, they send you their love. Madrid was undoubtedly impressive. Just the beautiful buildings and all the hustle. It was hard finding enough time to study with so many distractions."
Alejandro laughed. "And the pretty seƱoritas I can imagine. Yet Los Angeles certainly has its charm. We'll go there tomorrow. I'm sure your old friends will be happy to see you back. And I will introduce you to some new citizens and the alcalde."
Alejandro continued to fire questions at Diego, who answered them half-heartedly. Diego sat somewhat slouched in his chair, poking at his food uninterestedly and barely eating.
"I know Inez's cooking skills can't compare to Maria's. It has improved somewhat in the past weeks. Arroz con pollo was always your favourite. Enjoy."
Diego took a small bite of the rice and washed it down by taking a large sip of wine.
After the dessert, consisting of a wide variety of fresh fruits due to a mishap with the flan that Inez had tried to prepare the men sat in the living room.
"Shall we play a game of chess? I've become a bit rusty since you left." Alejandro said, pointing at Felipe. "Felipe has got the hang of it, but I haven't been able to teach him the finesse you acquired before leaving."
For a brief moment, there was a hint of panic in Diego's eyes. Alejandro didn't notice, but Felipe squinted his eyes while staring at Diego.
"Actually, father, I'd rather retire for the night. It's been a long journey today, and I'm tired. Besides, my body still thinks it is at sea."
"Sea legs bother you? It will fain away soon enough, and I suppose that jostling in a coach does little good. But wait, I almost forgot amidst the chaotic homecoming. I have a gift for you." Alejandro walked to the piano, where a long object wrapped in brown paper was. "Here you go, son. Let me once again express my happiness on your return."
Diego unwrapped the paper and reacted lukewarmly. "A sword. And not of particularly high quality."
"It's a beginner's sword," Alejandro admitted readily. "Diego, now that you're back home, it seems fit that you reclaim your rightful place in society. We need men like you to collaborate against the alcalde."
"What do you have against that man?"
"You mean besides Ramon squeezing the population to the bone with his ridiculous taxes? He is taking the farmers' last possessions and having his lancers enforce a kind of terror. Diego, the caballeros must stand together and not tolerate this. The people he robs of everything they own are the people who built this land and whom we depend on. All this land is worthless without the men and women willing to work it. That is something Ramon refuses to see no matter how many times men like the padre, don Sebastian, don Juan, me, and so many others tell him. He only gets worse. Ramon is a sort of insatiable monster. I hope with your knowledge and inventiveness, we can make a stand and make him see reason."
Alejandro noticed that Diego wasn't even listening to him but had started his sixth or seventh glass of wine. Realizing that Diego's mind was elsewhere, Alejandro decided it was better to change the subject. Diego would see for himself tomorrow, and when fully rested, they could talk.
"Will you come to the pueblo for lunch tomorrow? Victoria Escalante, you surely remember her, manages the tavern now and has become a real businesswoman. And she cooks dishes that are finger-licking good. I'm sure Victoria will be thrilled to see you again."
Diego emptied his glass and nodded. "Yes, sounds good." Then he walked down the hall to his bedroom.
Felipe stood next to Alejandro, shook the old man gently, and looked at him questioningly. "Yes, Diego does seem changed. He has become a man. He will be better tomorrow. I'm sure," Alejandro reassured the boy, whom he saw almost as much as his son as his flesh and blood.
.
Just before noon, the de la Vega carriage entered the market. Felipe acted as the coachman, while Diego and his father sat in the back. There was plenty of activity in the pueblo, with various market stalls set up by different vendors trying to sell their goods. The carriage stopped at the fountain, and the men stepped out.
Alejandro pointed towards one of the buildings. "That's the new cuartel. They built it in the year after you left. The old one is now the school. And look," pointing to the church, "we finally have a church bell. A gift from don Efrem." To Alejandro's disappointment, his son seemed barely interested in this. At the hacienda, he had shown his son the new stables. That also hadn't been able to get his son's interest.
Due to the market, many residents from the surrounding Los Angeles area had come to the pueblo, creating a bustle in the tavern.
Victoria was busy with an order when she saw don Alejandro and Felipe come in. Behind don Alejandro walked a man over six feet tall with dark wavy hair and ice-blue eyes. Don Diego, she knew immediately. Hurriedly, she placed the plates on the counter, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Ah, Victoria," the don beckoned. "You surely remember Diego. He's come home, as you can see." The handsome figure took her breath away.
Diego wore a light blue suit, almost the same colour as his eyes. Around his waist was a belt with a sword. His entire demeanour was that of a young, confident caballero.
"Diego, you surely remember Victoria."
However, Diego had more eyes for one of her assistants carrying a carafe of wine to a table where six lancers were having lunch.
After this brief introduction, Diego sat at the only available table.
Alejandro took the chair opposite his son, and Felipe sat beside him.
"Three daily specials, please, Victoria. And for Felipe and me, a glass of juice. Diego, what would you like to drink?"
"A glass of dry red wine, please."
With difficulty, Victoria managed to say, "Coming right up."
She rushed into the kitchen, where she wiped away the tears she had struggled to hold back. She had envisioned the reunion with her old friend differently. Victoria had always been fond of Diego. And as far as she knew, he had been fond of her. After years of absence, she had fantasized about what it would be like to see him again.
Diego had paid more attention to Pilar than to her. Pilar was indeed an attractive woman. With her slender figure, chestnut-brown hair that reached almost to her hips, warm smiles, and full feminine curves accentuated in a simple blouse, Pilar captivated many men.
Victoria was satisfied with her appearance. But she was aware that Pilar was much prettier than she. Her skin was not flawlessly fair, and she had a large mole on her left cheek. She was barely five feet four inches tall, and she wished for longer hair. It curled too much and stubbornly refused to grow longer than just past her shoulders. Her mouth was too wide for her liking, and above her eyelid was a small scar caused by a fight during a disagreement with her older brother, Francisco.
And Diego was much more handsome than she remembered. He had always looked handsome. But when Diego had just walked into the tavern, his appearance had taken her breath away. She felt like her heart would leap out of her chest. And she had felt like she could have fainted. That feeling was evidently not mutual. With a hint of self-pity, Victoria picked up three plates from the stack and began to fill them with chilli con carrne. Victoria couldn't help it, but secretly, she had imagined the return of her old friend differently.
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