Earlier, as in the series, Diego has returned from Spain. His father is thrilled his son has returned. As times go by he begins to wonder why his son has changed so much.
I do not own any of the characters.
A masked man.
Chapter 1
Victoria Escalante emerged from the kitchen and walked towards don Alejandro with his order of tamales.
"Why the long face?" she asked the usually cheerful don, who now sat there with a troubled expression. Alejandro shifted slightly to make it easier for Victoria to place a portion of tamales and a glass of wine on the table.
"Maria resigned."
"What?" Victoria was surprised to hear this. Maria had been the housekeeper at the de la Vega hacienda for longer than anyone could remember.
"Yes, she received a letter that her youngest brother's wife passed away during childbirth. He's now left alone with six young children. Maria is moving in with him to help."
"How terrible."
Alejandro unfolded the napkin and placed it on his lap. "Yes, unfortunately. It happens too often that a family has to go on without a mother. Maria has a good heart, and I completely understand her wanting to help her brother." He sighed, thinking of his beloved wife, who had also passed away too early. "I took her to Santa Paula yesterday so she could catch the stagecoach to Santa Clara. I wish her all the best. But I'll have to find a new housekeeper. Do you know anyone?"
Victoria bit her lip and thought. "No, sorry. Most women around here have their own families."
"Yes, I'll have to place an ad in a newspaper and hope for a response. Until then," Alejandro raised his glass. "Felipe and I will have the pleasure of enjoying your delicious cooking more often."
Victoria laughed. "And you're more than welcome." She walked back to the kitchen to check if other orders were ready.
Halfway there, something occurred to Victoria. She turned around and started to walk back to the table where don Alejandro was sitting. "Maybe I know someone. Señora Escondido."
Alejandro looked at the tavern owner inquiringly.
Victoria began to share what she knew. "She's from Guadalupe and is looking for work. Señora Escondido told me she used to work for an older señora who has now passed away. She's on her way to Monterey to live with her brother. She's in her room. Maybe she'd be open to staying in Los Angeles."
Don Alejandro's face brightened. "Wouldn't she prefer to live with her brother?"
Victoria looked at the don. "From what she told me, she's not in a hurry to get there. She hinted that she doesn't get along well with her sister-in-law. She even asked if I needed help. Not that I can afford it with all these taxes."
Thoughtfully, Alejandro spoke, "It can't hurt to ask. Monterey is very different from Los Angeles. Should you be right, and she's looking for a good job, she might be willing to consider. She's in her room, you said?"
"Yes, she's making a stop for a few days. She had some trouble with the long journey."
Alejandro finished his glass of wine in one go and wiped his mouth. "Would you ask her if she's interested? I'll be here around ten tomorrow."
"I'll do that," promised the tavern owner.
"Thank you, Victoria." Alejandro checked his pocket watch. "Is that the time? I have to go; I have an appointment with don Sebastian. Victoria, thanks for the excellent lunch." He handed Victoria some coins and walked briskly out.
Victoria looked at the untouched portion of tamales and shook her head. She liked the don. He was a man with a good heart. Many called him impulsive and fiery, and he had often clashed with Luis Ramon since he became the alcalde of Los Angeles a year ago. But no one could deny that Ramon's way of governing the pueblo was appalling.
Since his appointment, taxes had risen sharply. And there was increasing crime. Victoria noticed it herself. It was getting harder for her to make ends meet and earn enough money to pay the mortgage. She had fewer guests because people had less money.
Last month, she had to raise her prices to be able to pay her taxes. She had done it as minimally as possible because even this cost her customers.
.
The following morning, Alejandro entered the tavern and saw a slender middle-aged woman sitting at one of the tables. She had light brown hair with some grey streaks, brown eyes, and thin lips. Alejandro couldn't imagine her being one to smile often. "Señora Escondido?" he asked hesitantly. The woman looked at him intently and nodded.
"Alejandro de la Vega," he introduced himself. "I... uh, señorita Escalante told me you might be looking for work."
"Yes," the woman replied curtly.
"Did she also tell you I'm looking for a housekeeper?" Alejandro took a chair and sat down.
"Indeed. Señorita Escalante asked whether I was interested."
"And are you interested? She told me that you are on your way to live with your brother."
This time, there was a slight smile. "I have little choice, unfortunately. The señora I served faithfully for years has passed away. I am not financially capable of supporting myself. Not for an extended period, at least. And why are you looking for a new housekeeper, if I may ask?"
"You may. Maria, my previous housekeeper, resigned. She wanted to take care of her brother's family. He recently became a widower with six young children."
"I understand. In that case, I would like to apply."
"Don't you prefer to live with your family?"
Señora Escondido hesitated before saying, "I love my brother very much. And he is married to a good woman. My sister-in-law and I have different characters that quickly tend to clash. It's better for us to spend as little time in each other's company as possible."
After that, the matter was quickly settled.
.
One month later.
Don Alejandro considered himself fortunate. Inez Escondido had accepted his offer and became the new housekeeper of the de la Vega hacienda. Unfortunately, she was not as skilled a cook as Maria. But, it would be nearly impossible to surpass or even match her culinary skills. Señora Escondido, however, was capable of making a nutritious meal. She managed the household with an iron fist.
Felipe was in the pueblo. Today, the stagecoach would arrive to pick up any mail, and Alejandro had given himself a sparse free afternoon to catch up on paperwork.
"Oh, Inez, gracias. Just set it down there." He shifted a stack of papers to make enough space for Inez to place a glass of juice. "Say, Inez, may I ask you something?"
"Of course, patron."
"Have we perhaps met before? I can't shake the feeling that your face is familiar. Have you been to Los Angeles before? Or are you originally from Spain, perhaps?"
"I was born in Mexico, don Alejandro. As a young girl, I got a position in Guadalupe. So, I've never been to Spain, and the same goes for Los Angeles."
"Well, then, I must be mistaken. How do you like it here, by the way?"
"Very well, patron. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Uh, no. Thank you, Inez. You may go." The woman nodded and left to resume her duties.
Alejandro picked up his pencil to continue where he left off when the front door flew open, and a boy of about fourteen rushed in.
Felipe began gesturing and waving an envelope in his hand.
"A letter from Spain?" Alejandro immediately stood up, took the envelope, and tore it open. "It's from Diego." Alejandro's eyes scanned the parchment. A broad grin appeared on his face. "Felipe, Diego is coming home." The man and the boy embraced each other. "Tell Inez to prepare his room. The letter is dated five months ago, so Diego could arrive any day now. I'm going to the pueblo to tell Victoria the news."
.
Alejandro had been pacing restlessly through the hacienda's library all morning. Two days ago, an express letter had arrived from San Diego from Diego. The ship had safely arrived. Now, he had to wait for his luggage to be unloaded and approval from the authorities to disembark, and then he would come home. After four long years, hopefully, today would finally see his son return from Spain, where he had studied at the university for over three years. The only person as excited as him was Felipe, the orphan he had found half a year before Diego's departure. The hours passed at a slow pace. The relief was immense when Felipe came running into the library, pointing enthusiastically outside.
"Is he coming?" Alejandro asked as he walked briskly towards the front door. Felipe nodded vigorously. At first glance, no one would guess Felipe was deaf and mute. The boy could lip-read excellently and used gestures to flawlessly convey what he wanted to say.
Arriving in the garden, Alejandro held his hand just above his eyes and stared at the horizon. A large dust cloud announced the arrival of a carriage. Indeed, not much later, a closed carriage stopped at the hacienda. The door opened, and a handsome young man jumped out.
"Father." The man stretched out his arms, and Alejandro embraced him.
"Diego, it's good to have you back. You've been missed."
Felipe stood aside, an observant look in his eyes. He had missed Diego and looked forward to the reunion. It was logical that the man greeted his father first.
Felipe noticed that the blue eyes that had always radiated kindness in his memory now seemed harder, and more distant. Still, Diego exuded his familiar confidence, albeit in a more arrogant manner than before, so it seemed. Maybe it had always been there, and he had never noticed.
After all, it had been over four years since he had last seen the man who had saved his life, lovingly taken him into his home.
Alejandro patted his son on the back a few times before letting go. Diego paid no attention to Felipe until his father drew attention to the boy. "You surely remember Felipe."
Diego seemed momentarily confused and saw the boy shyly staring at the ground. "Of course. Can we go inside? I could use a refreshment." Without giving Felipe or his father a moment more of his attention, Diego walked into the hacienda, leaving a bewildered Alejandro behind.
He placed his comforting hand on Felipe's shoulder, who struggled to hide his tears. "Diego must be tired and hungry. It was a long and eventful journey. You'll see, once he's rested, he'll be happy to see you."
Felipe gratefully looked at the old man.
Inside, Diego had already taken off his long black coat and was now scrutinizing the library. "It seems smaller than I remember."
"It's been four years. Your memory can play tricks on you."
"What do you want?" Diego snapped at Felipe, who tried to get his attention: "Rather bring me something to drink."
"Diego," his father scolded. "That's no way to behave." He made a few gestures, and Felipe rushed to the kitchens to get the requested refreshment. "I understand you're tired, but that's no reason to be so rude."
Diego glanced at his father briefly and said, "You're right, my apologies."
"Oh, Inez, may I introduce you to my son, Diego. Diego, this is Inez Escondido, our new housekeeper." Diego approached her and took a glass of lemonade from the tray. "Nice to meet you, señora." Diego drank his glass in one go, placed it on the tray, and took another glass. "I'll go to my room. Have my things brought there as well."
"Diego, I'd like to give you your welcome gift first." Alejandro walked to the desk and picked up a long object.
"Later. I want to see my room first. Maybe Inez can lead the way?"
Inez hastily put her tray on the piano. "Of course, don Diego. Please follow me."
Alejandro looked surprised as his son behaved differently from what he had expected of his son. He had barely said goodbye to Felipe, forgotten the boy's existence. It seemed as if his son had forgotten about the young man whose life he had saved and had insisted on taking into his home. Diego didn't even bother to help with his luggage.
Alejandro sighed and placed his hand on Felipe's shoulder. "Come, Felipe, let's bring in Diego's luggage."
.
.
Progress on this story will be slow. I am busy working on the Christmas story and have other things going on in my life. I will try to make regular updates.