by Carine Michiels
Diego, my love, you'll never know just how much I love you. Although you seem to have only eyes for your books, music and poems you write, I adore you.
You are no swordsman - no caballero - but neither are you a coward. No matter what people think. Diego, if they only knew. But rest assured, your secret is safe with me. No-one will make the connection between you and the fox.
I will never forget the night we met at my parents' hacienda and I'm sure neither will you. I still recall that blessed moment as if it only happened yesterday.
The moon was full and bright that night when you stopped by the hacienda. The lancers couldn't catch you as Tornado was too quick for them. Like the stallion carried the weight of your perfect body then, so must I now carry the weight of my sorrow.
Your kisses were passionate and tender was your smile. Diego, from the moment I looked into your eyes, I found myself hopelessly lost in them. And when you took off your mask, I could not believe that the meek scholar, always sticking with his nose in his books, was Zorro.
At first I thought it was just a dream from which I would awake far too soon. But it wasn't, Diego. When you kissed me again, I knew it wasn't. I knew your heart belonged to me - if only just for one night.
That night has long passed and when we meet at the plaza, we act like polite people do. You take my hand and you kiss it, kind and carefully, but deep in your heart there's that overwhelming, burning passion - still unanswered. You hide it well, my love. Although it pains me we should act like this, I hide my feelings well. Except deep inside of me, where there's a constant battle going on. I may have won your heart, but I had to give it back because it belongs to the people - they need their hero.
Diego, I know that once your fight for justice has been won, we will be together forever - for a love so beautiful is never meant to die. We won't let it.
Soon I will tear up this letter, and a hundred pieces will be carried away on the wind's warm breath. Somehow I know they will reach you, Diego - Diego, my love.
