Victoria looked at the stranger. His suite was black, completely. He wore boots, leather trousers, shirt, long gloves (maybe for riding), a cape, a Spanish hat and a belt. And, most remarkable, he wore a mask.

The mask covered his face almost completely. Around the eyes till under the nose the mask was reinforced; from the nose till over his chin there was only black cloth. Because of that, Victoria couldn't see the shape of the face above the mask. The only part of the face she could see were two brown eyes.

She had seen a similar mask in the old serial "Zorro rides again" when she was a child.

And this here was a guy in Zorro's disguise.

"Again – don't pester her, don't touch her." The voice of the man was strong and angry, and he went toward the man.

The drunk man felt the anger of him and let go Victoria. He went backwards, away from the black man. Zorro followed him.

"Yes, I won't touch her. Ok, all right," he babbled.

"And now – apologize to her!" The voice was full of anger.

"What?"

"I'm waiting." Zorro remained silent. Too silent.

The other man stared at him. Finally, he began to speak. "I'm sorry".

"Only I'm sorry?" Zorro shook his head. "I don't think that is enough for your behavior. But I will have mercy with you. Today. And now – get away!".

The other man waited no longer. He turned around and ran away.

Zorro's eyes met her: "Is everything all right with you? Did he hurt you?" he asked worriedly.

She shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Thank you for your help."

"No problem."

"Who are you?"

"Zorro. I'm called Zorro."

"Zorro – and your real name?"

'He has beautiful eyes,' she thought. But maybe it was because the only thing she saw from his face were the eyes.

And just these eyes seemed to be a little sad as he answered: "Only Zorro. That's my name."

Victoria was surprised. What the hell ... he didn't want to show her his identity?

OK, this was a "German Fasching" party. Maybe it was a thrill for someone to hide behind a mask. She would find out who he was. She was sure for this.

"You like to play a legend, a legendary hero?" she curiously wanted to know.

"No. Not playing. I AM ZORRO," he answered seriously.

OK. He liked acting. But she would find out, he had no chance.

Today seemed to be the day of 'Meeting guys who are not like the others'. First Diego, then this mysterious Zorro.

"May I escort you back to the dance floor?" He offered her his crook of the arm.

She smiled and linked arms with him. He was a gentleman.

Ask they arrived, the band just had begun a new song: "Pirates of the Caribbean" song from the movie. It seemed the singer wanted to have a break it was an instrumental performance.

"The black pearl - yes, I think that is your song," he laughed looking at her costume. "So, we will dance now."

"We will? You don't want to ask me just saying to me we will do it?"

"I saw you dancing so I know you like it. Or is it you don't like dance with me, do you?"

"No, I would like to dance with you very well. But this is a Viennese waltz, do you know this dance?"

"Of course. And you?"

She looked provoking. "Maybe better than you."

"Please relax, young Lady. I'm a very good dancer and I know how to lead you over the parquet floor. You will see. Please let me show you." His month – or the cloth- neared her ear. "Just close your eyes and follow me. I won't harm your feet or your shoes."

"No. I want to see where we are dancing."

He laughed. "I thought this would be your answer. You are a very courageous woman and I like that, you know."

"You know me then? Who are you?" Victoria asked clouded.

"The first time I saw you, I knew you are a woman with a lot of power."

"This is not the answer to my question." She complained.

"No, it isn't." She could swear he smiled under his mask. "But I won't let you know that. Maybe we met before, maybe not."

"You are making it a great secret, aren't you?

"Of course, I do. Zorro had always been a great secret, didn't you know?"

She sighed. "Ok, I give it up. We should dance."

"Fine, Senorita".

Only a few dancers were left because not everyone could or liked this quick dance. So, they had enough space to perform their turns. He led her across the floor with great proficiency. She was very impressed. Because he was good – a very good dancer and he clearly wasn't like most men who weren't able to dance as she said to Diego today.

Because the dance was very fast, and the music was loud, they couldn't talk. Victoria couldn't stop to admire his competence in leading her. He was just perfect. And she felt his strong brawn. Not only his arms, he was rather muscular. Maybe he was a member of a fitness center and lifted weights. Unable to talk to him, she felt his body and the look of his brown eyes. She liked to feel his warm torso near to her.

The next song was a slow fox. Again, she tried to begin a conversation with him, but they have to shout because of the loudness. It was not easy to talk, and he still didn't want to answer her question of his identity. She said to him she wouldn't tell him her name until she knew his name – but it didn't work, he kept his secret.

So, they continued to dance silently. Zorro's brown eyes looked deeply and met her more than one time. She imagined he was smiling while doing that.

After 30 minutes, the band had their break. Zorro offered her his elbow again and they went to the chairs and tables next to the bar.

As they arrived, she saw Tom with Richard, John and Sarah. All worked in her company. Ann was not there – maybe she was dancing with her cowboy.

Tom waved to them. The masked man asked: "Are these your friends? Do you want to sit beside them?"

She nodded but saying "They are my colleagues, but yes, I would like to go there."

"Ok, let's go."

"Victoria, do you want to sit here with us? This is our company- table" Tom laughed and looking to the man beside her, he continued: "Of course, your company is welcome."

Zorro and Victoria approached them. Tom introduced himself and his fellows, then he looked at the legend. "And you? Who are you?"

"You may call me Zorro."

"Zorro?" Tom looked asking to her.

Victoria shrugged helplessly with her shoulders. "His name is Zorro. I don't know more."

"Hm – ok. You both have an anonymous date?"

"Yes." answered Victoria shortly, because she didn't want to talk about it. It was a secret between her and this stranger and she would find out who he was. She was for sure.

Richard looked with interest at the hero. Sarah sighed: "A rendezvous with an unknown masked man. That is really romantic."

Victoria mugged. She didn't agree with her. On the other side she admitted she was fascinated about Zorro. But was this only because he was wearing a mask?

No, there was something more. It was not only because he was a mystery – she felt fine being with him, when he touched her while they danced. And she liked his flirting with his eyes during the dances.

The others continued talking about the party. They had done this before the two met them.

The legend looked to Victoria and whispered in her ear. "Do you think we have a romance?"

She turned her face to his black mask. "Would you like to have a romance with me?"

"It depends on you." he answered, his voice was warm voice and gentle, so only she could hear him. "Do you like to meet someone whose face you don't see?"

"I don't know. I just met you this evening." She hesitated.

"Victoria, I will give you the time you need".

He knew her name? But of course, Tom had invited and called her 'Victoria', so this was no secret anymore.

At this moment, Tom turned to Zorro and wanted to know: "What do you think about this online robbery?"

Oh that!" Was he smiling? "A mysterious robbery. At first I thought it was a hoax.".

"Yes, a crazy story. But what do you think about it?"

"We have to wait. Maybe the reporters can Tell more of the story in a few days." the mask man speculated.

"Victoria likes the fact someone stole money from Carter." Tomb betrayed. "And you, masked man?"

Zorro looked at her, deeply, without saying. After a short pause, he answered. "Carter is a rich man, so he didn't really care about the money. But this money could help if the deserving poor would get it. What do you think, Victoria?"

"As you say, we have to wait." She answered carefully, because she didn't want to discuss this again.

John explained reflexive. "It must be a man who is an expert in computers, networks, etc."

"Yes, someone like our Diego" answered Richard.

"No," laughed Tom. "Someone like Diego would hack a game server to steal virtual game money from another gamer's account. That's his life."

"No. Diego might be someone special, but he helped me with my computer today. He restored most of my files. So, he doesn't only live in his virtual reality." She answered a little angrily.

"I don't know. I'm not Interested in him. As long as our computers work, I don't care about him." added Richard.

"We shouldn't talk about Diego. Let's party" shouted Tom.

So, they changed to other topics to talk about.

Zorro took part in the following conversation, but most time he listened to the others.

He still sat beside Victoria and she had a strange feeling. She said near a stranger, but she began to wish that he was her friend. He was as cool as a cucumber and she also felt his strength. It made her move closer to him. Only a little, but he didn't move away, so they were sitting very close now.

Maybe her colleagues felt Victoria and Zorro liked each other and wanted to give them time alone together – maybe it was only a lucky break. One hour later, some of Victoria's fellows were dancing while others went to the bar to order some drinks and talk with the bar keeper. The two were alone now.

She was very surprised to hear his next question: "Who is that guy, Diego?"

"Diego? He is the system administrator in our company. Why do you ask?"

"I wondered you defended him. Is he your friend? And why he is not here?" he wanted to know.

"No, he isn't my friend. He is a colleague. But although he is very strange, I don't like to talk about him when he isn't here. This is not fair because he has no chance to defend himself."

"And what is he doing because you call him strange?" he asked dogged.

"He is a computer nerd and lives in his own virtual reality I think. He is not really interested in our world," she said.

"So, he isn't interested in you?" he asked, surprised about it.

"He isn't interested in women at all".

"Oh." After a pause: "You are a person with a very beautiful character. Someone who doesn't see this is blind and a big fool. But as Zorro I tell you I won't make this mistake. You are a lovely woman, Victoria."

He had taken her right hand and led it to his month. She still couldn't see anything of his face because her hand was behind the mask now. She felt his lips on her back of the hand. His kiss was warm and soft.

She held her breath and her blood ran cold. She turned red as a tomato.

After he released her hand, he looked at her deeply and offered: "Do you want to dance with me again, Victoria?"

She couldn't speak. She felt her heart attack and only nodded.

The dancing was not like before. They didn't really talk, just enjoyed the movement to the music and being together. The felt their bodies and they danced closer than before.

But Zorro seemed to be more serious and reflecting about something. After the next break of the band, he asked: "Do you want to come outside with me, please, to the terrace? Only for a short moment. I want you to tell you something important and I don't like to be disturbed."

She nodded. "I should get my warm coat from the checkroom."

"There are some patio heaters outside. It won't be cold when we are standing in front of one.".

So, the two went to the fresh air. There were some people there in their need to smoke a cigarette - but it was no problem to find a place alone near to the warm gas fire.

It wasn't really cold, but Victoria shivered. Zorro took his cape and placed it around her shoulders. "Better now?"

"Yes, thank you,". Maybe it was cold for her because she was upset. He went with her to tell her who he was, to show his face. Finally, – she was rather impatient.

But no taking off the mask. Instead, he asked: "Victoria, at first one important question. Please be honest and even this question is strange, I will explain later. - What do you think about the robbery? The man or men who did it?"

Again, she should talk about the robbery? She was not for sure if she wanted to. She liked that someone had stolen he money from that cruel Carter, but it was against the law.

She saw his eyes- she could fall in love in these two brown ones – and decided to trust him though she didn't know why. "Yes, I admit, I like the robbery. I know, the court has discharged him – but Carter isn't a good man and he doesn't earn his money honorably."

"Yes, I agree with you, Victoria. I would say because of the methods he got that money he stole it. What do you think?"

She laughed. "I never thought about it like that. It's funny but so a thief was robbed by another thief."

"Victoria – what do you think? Am I a criminal because I robbed stolen money?"

"I don't think because…" she paused by recognizing what he just said. "For heaven's sake! – You said what?"

"Schhht. Please, don't speak so loud," he whispered.

She stared at him. It was you?" she whispered disbelievingly.

"Yes, it was me," he admitted.

"But... why… I don't understand."

"Am I a thief because I have taken stolen money?" he whispered. "I don't know. But I think the hospital for children can use it well."

Breathless, she looked at him. "The money for the hospital? It was also you?"

"Yes. Carter doesn't spend his money for good projects, so I do it for him," he said and laughed. "Not only the hospital, but I also spread the money to other social organizations, but the hospital got most of the money."

She shook her head. Both kept silent. At last, she was able to speak again: "Why? Why are you doing that?"

"Look at me. What do you see?"

"I don't see very much of you"

"Ok. Who am I?"

"You are disguised as Zorro."

"As I told you, I am Zorro."

"You don't wear an epee or a whip."

"Weapons are not allowed at this party. By the way, I know how to fence, and I prefer sabers."

She shook his head, not knowing what to say. After a while, she continued. "He is a character of a book, an imagination, a hero of a swashbuckler movie, a fiction."

"I'm standing in front of you. You can touch me. Or do you think I'm not real?" Zorro teased her.

She couldn't say something. This was confusing.

"Victoria," he tried to calm her down. "Sometimes a fiction may become true. As Zorro, I want to bring justice. A real justice without corruption. Zorro is a symbol for that."

"Why are you telling me that?" she asked confused.

"I want you to know why I can't show you my face. And therefore, I'm wearing this kind of mask and not a short one with an uncovered mouth where I could kiss you as in the movies."

"You want to kiss me, but you don't trust me enough to show me your true identity?"

"I don't know what will happen. It's just the beginning, Querida". His gloved hand stroked her cheek. "It's not because I don't trust you, it's because I don't want you to get in danger. To know who I am would be a risk for you. It's not always according to law what I pretend to do."

"Zorro, I.." she didn't know what to answer.

"Ssschh. Don't worry. Go back to your colleagues and have a big party."

"I should go back? So, won't you come back with me? Are you leaving?" she said, disappointed.

"Yes, for this evening. I must be careful. But I won't be far away, Corazon. I promise. Adios.".

He took his cape back and laid it over his shoulders again. He was going to leave her.

"Wait… please… Will I see you again or is this our only encounter?"

"I will visit you. Soon. My second promise. I always honor a pledge. Hasta la vista, Senorita."

For one moment his voice reminded her of Diego.

But before she could think more about it, the dark figure had left.