Chapter 5
Zorro was still seen occasionally. And one of these times was one early Thursday morning. Mendoza found two bandits neatly tied up at the edge of the fountain, waiting for what their fate would be.

It was on that morning, around noon, when don Alejandro returned from Los Angeles. He saw his son sitting behind the piano, trying out a new piece of music. "Victoria asked about you. She said you haven't been to the tavern all week."

It was true that Diego had avoided Los Angeles, especially the tavern, in the past few days. He didn't feel ready to face Victoria after their engagement was broken off. Even though Victoria didn't know who she had been engaged to, Diego knew all too well. And just the thought of her name made his heartache.
"Oh, that might be true. I've been busy with other matters."

Alejandro had stopped listening to his son after the oh. "You'll come along tomorrow, I assume." He rolled his eyes irritably when he saw the questioning look on his son's face. "Tomorrow, it will be announced who is running for alcalde. I still can't believe de Soto agreed to your idea."

Diego turned on the piano stool. "Given his plans to return to Madrid, I assume he's not interested in what's happening here. Unless Zorro offers himself to him on a silver platter before his departure. Do we know who the candidates are?"

"Yes, I know Macias and don Carlos are running. It's also said that Fernando Gonzalez will run, but I'm not sure."

"Those are all good men. It won't be easy to choose."

"You're right about that." Alejandro rubbed his stomach. "I'll go see what Maria has prepared for lunch. Are you coming?"

During lunch, Diego told his father that he planned for him and Felipe to head to Santa Barbara for a few days after the elections. "It will be nice for Felipe to see such a large city. My violin needs new strings, and I want to buy new costumes. I have sent a letter to Rafael to inform him of my plans and will stay there…"

"Do that, son. I'll also write a letter to Luis Cristobal, our notary. I have some questions. We need to make sure that should California decide against Spain and become part of Mexico, the hacienda stays ours. Can you take that letter with you, and make sure you do what you can to have everything we might need in writing."

Diego sighed. Now that de Soto would depart for Spain in five days. And a new alcalde would be chosen in three days. He had decided to take a few days away from Los Angeles. The need for Zorro as a defender of justice seemed to be over. He hoped that by being away for a few days, he wouldn't constantly think about Victoria. And his father was right. Should California become part of an independent Mexico, it was uncertain what was to happen with the land grants given out by king Carlos.

The next day, the four names of the men who had run for alcalde were announced. In addition to the three names mentioned by don Alejandro, Corporal Sulpevelda also indicated that he wanted to run.

Diego and Felipe were busy for the rest of the day and needed to print the ballot papers. The four candidates worked hard to let the people know their ideas for the small pueblo on the edge of civilization. The tavern was the perfect location for this, and Victoria was grateful for it. It brought bustle and distraction, something she needed.

It was nearing siesta time when don Alejandro walked into the kitchen. All the other visitors were leaving, and Alicia and Pilar were busy cleaning up.

"Victoria, I've come to say goodbye. I am sorry we haven't been able to talk much. I've never seen it so busy here."

"I'm sorry too, don Alejandro. Not that it's so busy, but the fact I hardly have time to talk to my guests, I mean."

"It's forgiven." Don Alejandro looked at Victoria and noticed she seemed pale and exhausted. Her eyes were less radiant than usual, and she seemed sad. "Tell me, Victoria, is everything well?" he asked, concerned. Since her mother's death and her father and brothers' departure, he had always tried to keep an eye on her.

"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night." Victoria's voice sounded weak.

Don Alejandro came closer to her. "You look like you haven't been sleeping well for a while. What's wrong? Do you have problems with the tavern? Did de Soto come up with some last new ridiculous tax?"

Victoria shook her head. "No, it's not the tavern. It's... it's something else."

"Victoria, you know I care a lot about you. When you have problems, you can tell me, and if it's within my power, I'll help you."

Victoria bravely laughed. "I know, don Alejandro." Without wanting to, her eyes started to tear up. Alejandro saw it and pulled Victoria into his arms. "What's wrong, girl? You know you can tell me anything. I thought you would be happy. It seems Zorro will soon be a free man, and you can have what you have been waiting for all these years." The don had barely uttered these words before a dam broke inside Victoria. She had kept quiet about what had happened between her and Zorro, and it had taken its toll. Now that someone was offering her a comforting shoulder, the words began to roll out of her mouth as if on their own.

"Zorro was here last week. He said he no longer loves me and doesn't want to marry me."

"Oh, sweetheart." Alejandro pulled a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and offered it to Victoria.

"I don't understand. For years, Zorro said he had certain feelings for me and hinted that once his work was finished, he wished to marry me. And then suddenly he says he doesn't want me any more."

"Did he give you a reason?"

Victoria nodded against don Alejandro's shoulder. "He thinks I don't really love him. But I do, I swear. More than anything in this world."

"Anyone with eyes in their head can see that you and Zorro are meant for each other, and the love you share is unique."

"I don't understand. I simply don't understand." Victoria sobbed.

"Has something happened to make Zorro think you don't love him?"

Victoria thought about don Alejandro's words. "I've spent the past few weekss thinking of nothing else. I can't think of anything."

"Well, then, I don't know either. Maybe Zorro has met another woman," Alejandro carefully suggested. Although he could hardly believe that Zorro would so easily give his heart to another.

He continued to stroke Victoria's back in a comforting way. She needed a shoulder to cry on more than ever, and he cursed himself silently for not noticing sooner that Victoria was torn apart by heartbreak.

"That's not it," Victoria sobbed. "He literally said he thinks I can't love the man behind the mask."

"Do you mean you have no idea of his identity?" Alejandro was surprised by this bit of information. He had always assumed she did know who was hiding behind the mask.

"How could I?"

"I just assumed…,"

"He's never told me his name or taken off his mask. Sometimes, I don't see him for weeks, and if I do see him, he usually leaves within a few minutes. We barely ever had an actual conversation."

"Maybe that's it. You keep seeing each other briefly and hardly have time for a normal conversation. Love is beautiful and exciting. But in a good relationship, friendship and knowing each other's flaws are just as important."

Victoria hurried to say. "Zorro doesn't have any flaws. He is perfect."

"Oh, Victoria, Zorro is only a man. Of course, he also has his flaws. He's just as humanas you and me." Alejandro lifted Victoria's chin to make her look at him. "I have an idea."

Victoria blew her nose and thought about don's words. In her eyes, Zorro had always been perfect. She had almost worshipped him like he was a God. Maybe Zorro didn't always want to be on a pedestal. And perhaps part of him was scared that he couldn't meet her high expectations. He had told her something like that the day when he proposed to her in his cave. The one thing I fear is, you're being unable to love the man hiding behind this mask, Zorro said.

"After the election, Diego wants to go to Santa Barbara for a couple of days. Why don't you go with him? Then you'll be away from Los Angeles for a few days and have time to sort things out. Victoria, I know this hurts. After all, a broken heart can hurt as much as a broken limp. But it is true what is said. In time, both will heal. Go to Santa Barbara with Diego and try to get your mind off Zorro."

Oh, she would love nothing more. A few days away from Los Angeles, freed from the prying eyes and people wondering behind her back why Zorro hadn't freed her from prison.
"I don't know," Victoria uttered hesitantly. "The tavern..."

Alejandro stopped her and assured her. "I'll handle it. Alicia and Pilar can handle the daily affairs perfectly well. I promise to stop by every day to make sure everything is going well."

"And don Diego? Won't he mind?"

"Of course not. Victoria, Diego cares a lot about you. You mean more to him than just a good friend. You are family."

Victoria hesitated. The offer sounded very tempting. She had never been to Santa Barbara. She had heard stories that it was a beautiful city. "Won't people think something is going on between us?"

"You and Diego?" the don laughed. "Everyone knows you think of each other as brother and sister. Besides, Felipe will be joining you. They will stay with my nephew and his wife. You may remember him. Rafael and Margarita visited us years ago. I'm sure you're welcome too, so that's the last thing I'd worry about if I were you."

Their names didn't ring any bell. "Alright," Victoria made the decision. "I'll go."

"Great. That is settled. I'll go tell Diego right away. I'm sure he'll be happy with your company."

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