Impossible Love 10
The night was fantastic and as Gino and I almost carried Leon home the festivities carried on at the two bars on the way. I opened his flat door and he staggered to the bedroom for a change then I went to get my bottle and sat on the fire escape. I wasn't tired or drunk and it was nice to sit here alone, although I did miss my partners in crime.
I opened the envelope that Nina had given me and looked at the list, it was a price list and size chart for the arrangements right down to the valentine's roses that will be packed singularly to be handed out on Valentine's Day and Mother's day to the ladies playing the machines, this was bigger than I thought and tomorrow I will make time to go through it thoroughly.
I sat and thought about Luca and how he is, I bet Carlos and Gianni are sleeping with him and Leon will join in when he gets home. I so wanted to go and see him but there is so much to do here also, and I really had no idea how it would work. Would the brothers move over for me or would it just be me and Luca in bed together, my dick was rising and I wanted to go look at my photos of him before I went to bed. The wank was awesome and when I closed off the computer I then crawled into bed, I must admit Gianni did take up most of my time.
The market was busy on Sunday and I had done a silly thing, I'd made up three big arrangements like the ones for the casino and placed a silly price on them, three hundred and fifty dollars. They did look magnificent and plenty of shoppers looked at them. Alice was looking refreshed and she couldn't miss them. "They are beautiful Ant, do you think they will sell?" "I'm hoping they will and it's still early."
"Did you get Leon into bed safely?" "Yes lovely, he was out like a light as soon as his head hit the pillow."
"No interfering with him Ant?" I laughed, she's been hanging around with Anna too long.
"Absolutely none Alice, he's my brother."
"Oh, I see." She stifled a laugh. It was an hour after that I sold one arrangement and when I went to get us some lunch Alice sold the other two.
"I guess that answers my question Ant, better make up another couple then."
We still had plenty of time so I started doing two new ones, they sold as soon as they were finished so I will add them to my Saturday and Sunday stock, I doubt they will sell during the week as there are not enough customers around.
I went to have a coffee with Gino and Pat but they were busy so I left them on the counter and moved back to the shop.
I counted my takings and placed a wad of cash into my pocket, I had bought the van today so I won't run home but I will go for a run later on. Leon was knocking on my door after I got in, he wanted to make sure I will clean his flat out and he was dumping a box and two bags of stuff into my spare room.
"What times your flight?" "Two pm tomorrow Antonio, I can't wait to see everybody again, it's been too long but I will miss you and my friends also."
"Go and do what you have to do, we will all still be here when you get back, and give all your brothers a kiss and a hug from me."
"I will Antonio, maybe I will skype you with them in bed with me."
"You do that."
Another sad goodbye at the airport and another lonely night on the back stairs, my tears flowed because I was so sad they had to go and I was sadder because of the reason they went.
Tuesday I got a call from the casino events manager, he made an appointment for me and I wrote it in my diary. I eventually had to buy one as I had pieces of paper all over the place, a little organization will come in handy. I had inquired if there were any small warehouses for sale in the area and I came up with two, so today I am going to look at them but won't make up my mind until I know I've got the account. I put my running shorts on and tank top to go meet the agent, I thought I would run home and you don't really need to get dressed up to look at properties. I wasn't exhausted when I arrived, just a little puffed, I stood out the front of the warehouse with a big for sale sign on it, the other one was next door so I assumed they were both the same.
A very good looking tall man alighted from his black car and I could see he really looked after himself, why is it that all real estate agents look like they just walked out of a men's magazine? I'm sure their bosses hire them for their looks. He shook my hand and introduced himself as James then he handed me his card, he smelt like he had drowned himself in aftershave, which was a little strong but nice.
He produced the keys and opened the barn doors.
"Just this way Antonio, as you can see it has been vacant for some time, I will get the owner to give it a clean-up if you decide to buy." I was busy looking at his perfect ass, there is something about suits, I love them on a man, especially form-fitting ones.
"It's fine James, is there a tea room?"
"Yes at the back, do you run often or gym it?"
"I run mainly, and when I can get to the gym I do weights but mainly I run and you?"
"Gym, I don't have the stamina to run anywhere so I stick to the gym, I like it there."
"Me too, you get all sorts of shapes going there."
"Well you are in amazing shape Antonio, running has been good to you." I know cruising when I see it.
"Well if you take your suit coat off I can return the compliment." He laughed, then he saw I wasn't being funny so he slowly took his coat off and placed it over the chair.
He flexed a little and I felt his muscles, then he undid his shirt and I licked his nipples, he had my shorts down in an instant and was sucking on me gently as I was running my hands through his not so now perfectly coiffed hair.
"Are you a top or bottom James?" I had to find out because of my last encounter.
"Bottom Antonio, but if you need some I can top."
I was chockers up him after we did some awesome foreplay and loads of kissing, He was wonderful and I thanked him as I kissed his neck and his back arched to receive more of my hard dick. Spit and perseverance was the go today, neither of us had any lube but he did produce a condom from his wallet. He rode me like a rodeo rider and even pushed me against the nearest wall to try and fit more of me inside him, I think he loves it because he moaned loudly and it echoed in the empty building. I took hold of his hips and shoved hard then again and again, I started coming after he reached under and played with my boys.
We found some hand towel in the lady's restroom and cleaned up and after some kissing and stroking, we agreed to do it again when I come back for a second look.
He was smiling at me as I waved and ran off, the two warehouses were the same and I decided I will blow him next time as he had a very nice dick. Feeling like I was back on top again I ran towards home, I had to do some figures to see if I could even afford the warehouse. I rang Nonno because he has more experience in these matters, he was almost parting with his entire DNA by the time I got to ask him if it was a good buy, excited wasn't the word, ecstatic was. When he settled down he told me to leave it up to him and he was very proud of me because I was on the right track, you can't go wrong with a property he's always said. I know he will ring around and come up with something but I needed to impress the casino boss before I do anything else. I grabbed my vacuum cleaner and moved into next door. The apartment was a mirror of mine and I wondered if it ever came up for sale, I would make the two into one, but now I'm being overly silly.
It didn't take me long to finish it and I will do the windows when I get more time, but Leon had left it in pretty good shape. I rang Federico and told him I have the keys and will give them to him when we meet next time or I can even give them to Alice. He was very happy the flat was cleaned and said he already had a tenant for the next two months, an elderly man who is building a new house and needed temporary accommodation.
I was at a loose end by four so I grabbed a bottle of vino and went downstairs, I know I will be early but it's also nice to be on your own. Alice wandered up the street bottle in hand, she's early too, there were no chairs for her so she sat in Gino's spot. She seems to know everyone in this street because I had noticed a lot of people stopped to talk to her, she has lived here for years so I suppose she does know everyone.
"Have you asked Federico to move in yet?'
"Not yet Ant, he's very busy lately and I'm not in any hurry, I have an abundance of time on my hands."
"Okay before you go home I will give you Leon's keys for the apartment, could you pass them on to Federico for me?"
"Sure Ant, he will be around tonight I suspect."
"And you two are going well?"
"Yes Ant, very well, we have a lot in common."
A red car pulled up ten minutes later and still no Gino, so as I had finished my wine Alice and I went to our respective homes. I sat around watching TV for a while then decided to go for a run, when I got out the front Gino was sitting on his own so I sat with him instead.
"Another one has gone and Anna is working, Alice is god knows where so it's just the two of us."
"Like old times Gino."
"Yes it is Ant, how were the warehouses?" "Good, not massive but big enough for what I want. I fucked the agent while I was there too." `You what?"
"I fucked him, he was more than willing, great body too."
"Good for you Ant, it's about time you got some. Things have been pretty tense around here lately so I'm happy for you."
"Going back for more too." I grinned.
He laughed.
I felt like I was cheating but when there's nothing there to cheat on I guess I shouldn't be feeling it. I never actually slept with Luca but we did have sex and apart from knowing that we loved each other there wasn't anything else to hold me. I think I have done well to get this far without fooling around, but seriously you have to have the opportunity which hasn't presented itself, but it did in a big way today.
At nine I'd had enough and started upstairs, I didn't have a lot to drink tonight and felt a bit better inside. I hadn't taken my phone with me either and there were eight missed calls from grandad. I immediately rang him back and he said he wanted to talk business with me tomorrow and could I go there. I made an appointment around lunchtime and said my goodnights. I lay in bed and had a slow pull thinking about James and his awesome ass, then I slipped off to sleep.
After pottering around the flat all morning dressed in shorts and tank to run to Nona's place, it's a good run and doesn't take forever. I took the back streets, they are less crowded and I was thinking about the warehouses and which one to buy. When I got there I had a coffee and biscuits in my hand immediately and the promised lunch wasn't too far off. Grandad actually sat at the table with me and I asked him what he wanted.
"I talked to Frankie whose warehouse you used for your event and he's ready to sell Antonio. He has owned it a long time and is getting on a bit so he needs to offload it."
"That's fine, it's a good warehouse and I like the fact it's got a car park out the back, that makes it easier for a delivery van to come and go. What's he asking for it Nonno?"
"Are you very sure you like it Ant?"
"Yes grandad, I am happy with it, a lick of paint and some new kitchen fittings will make it a happy place to work in, what's he asking anyway?"
"Okay, he wants one fifty for the warehouse and he wants the fifty in cash."
"That's cheaper than the others, they want two hundred, we have a deal then." I smiled because I can just make it, I think.
"I blackmailed him." He smiled.
"Over the price?"
"Yes, he wanted two hundred but I reminded him that you were family and we had been friends for fifty years, all those guilty trips Ant, plus he's hasn't been able to rent it out for ages now and the roof needs work."
"Does it?"
"No, but he doesn't know that, he's too mean to have it checked out."
I told him to tell Frankie we have a deal. Now, what do I do with James, maybe I will meet him again and tell him in person, my dick stirred.
Lunch was something else and I didn't know what to try first, grandma had made five different dishes so I guess there will be take-home also. My sleep was good and I felt like more after nan woke me up with her blender going, she was in the kitchen cooking again and grandad was asleep in his chair. I had fallen off because I ate too much and their sofa was so comfortable.
When I finally got back the whole crowd was there, Gino, Anna, Alice, and surprisingly Federico.
I told them I bought the warehouse and will need volunteers to help paint it, they were all in. I will go see it again and make a list of kitchen stuff to get.
"Don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself Ant, you haven't got the job yet?" Gino was concerned.
"Not really, I wanted to buy something else in the area anyway, this way I can pay cash for it, and then when a flat comes up for sale I will mortgage both buildings and buy it."
"That's the way to do it Ant, in no time you will have a half dozen properties if business is good," Federico said.
"I want that, but I don't want to over extend myself either, grandad has got this one cheap for me but the next one won't be cheap."
"You never know Ant, your grandad knows a lot of people," Alice said.
"Yes, that's what bothers me, he might run out of favors and get stuck owing to his friends."
"He won't get stuck Ant, you owe him now, he's got you to carry on with," Gino said and I got another smile. I hoped to god I wasn't being stupid and Gino is right, I still haven't got the job yet. I had made out a list of arrangements and prices and taken photos of what they should expect, a sort of menu. I will get it done properly after I get the work, in the meantime if it all falls through I just may send brochures out to corporations and businesses, I have to get some work in for my ladies.
I left work early to get to the casino appointment, it shouldn't take long and Alice has got backup. I had called Nina and she said that Bianca was the hardest hit in her group, her husband had died and left her with three littlies so I asked her to do a few shifts at the market which she was very happy to do, cash in hand that is. So I left Alice with Bianca and drove to my city meeting.
My time there wasn't as long as I expected, all they wanted was size photos and prices. I had discounted the other guy's prices because they were over inflated and the hotel manager's secretary was very happy with what I offered. She said I will hear from her in a few days' time and she thinks I will get the work, but she had to run it by the boss when she can catch up with him, then she wanted to talk for a bit.
"Antonio, get a computer so we can email the orders directly. They won't be needed for all the rooms, it will only be the foyers and the expensive rooms, maybe five to seven hundred a fortnight, but it changes monthly depending on guests and the time of year over Christmas and New Year, you will be quite busy. The flowers have to be fresh to last and they are checked by our cleaning crew every day, so there's no maintenance for you to do. We put chocolates in the standard rooms so no need for flowers. If some start to look a little tired the staff chucks them, we understand that flowers are fragile and don't expect a super long life, but we do expect quality, no substituting new for old just because you want to get rid of them." She smiled.
"That will never happen, even at the market I chuck old flowers, and my promise to you is the casino will have the best I can buy."
"Thank you, Leon Cartasso said you were very honest and I think you are." Another smile and she was cruising me, but I wondered if she had a brother.
"Well, I think we have covered it all, any questions?"
"No, thank you and I will wait to hear from you." It's a shame Gino has a girlfriend, this one would be good for him too.
"I forgot to tell you we also do a lot of weddings and if they leave it up to us we organize the flowers, you will get all that work also," I told her it all sounded good to me, and I was blown away once again.
I was walking on eggshells and that stomach knot was back again for a different reason. I counted out fifty thousand to give Frank and just did a transfer to his bank account, he said his conveyancer will handle the sale, and he had also given grandad the keys so I could move in anytime. With everything that has gone on these past four days I hadn't had time to skype Luca, so tonight I am making time for my friend. I was dressed in my shorts and top with my goods almost hanging out the leg so I could have a fiddle while we talked, He answered the call but he looked so bloody sick, Carlos' face smiled into the camera and it was so good to see him, then Leon and Gianni appeared.
"He's not the best today, I forced him to go into town with me as I wanted to check that statue." Leon winked at me.
"Was it still there?" I smiled.
"Yes Antonio."
Luca smiled then waved and his head fell back on the pillow, I think he was going to have a sleep but it was nice to see him anyway.
"God you guys are missed, even Gino misses you both, how was your flight?"
"Good, I slept most of the way, how did you go with the casino?"
I told them both what had happened with them and that I had bought a warehouse and they were very pleased and congratulated me, they said they will sleep with Luca tonight but they might sneak out for a quickie in the wee hours. Their momma was cooking up a storm and tonight there will be twenty for dinner, the vineyard hands had to catch up with Leon because they hadn't seen him for a while. I asked Gianni how he was, Carlos said he had screwed him last night and his ass was sore. I laughed as Leon slapped his face, of course it wasn't true. I looked at Luca and he was smiling, the boys will be good for him, I know they will be.
I disconnected when they pulled the blanket down and gave me a good close up of Luca's dick.
"Are you masturbating Antonio?" I laughed then stood up and gave them a good look at my hard dick.
"Soon I think."
I was horned up so I watched some porn, but I think I had worn those photos out they took, so instead I was back to the regular stuff tonight.
The next day I got the call and the casino boss had okayed the contract, they emailed it to me and I got to work. The ladies and I had a meeting and we made up a board so they would know what items to make, and I bought a computer so the casino can email the order to the girls direct. I sent three of them shopping for new kitchen stuff, they are the best to do that, only they know what they need. I bought cheap white paint and I had a crowd arrive to help brighten the place up. There was also an electrician hired who installed twenty spotlights so the girls can see what they are doing, then I waited.
The contract said the casino will email the orders in batches, it said I should be expecting an order every day, and when the first one came through we all had a party almost. It was for the reception areas, three hundred small arrangements and three dozen extra-large, the next day was for two fifty medium ones for the better rooms and the next was two fifty large ones for the high roller rooms. I am in business big time and as the orders came through the ladies made them up and Pietro's men delivered them in his vans. It took two days to get the first order done and delivered, we always worked two days behind the order's arrival, it worked beautifully and I couldn't be happier with the quality and the expert formwork from my girls.
I hadn't been to the market in a week but Alice and Bianca were holding the fort and I organized the same grower to do both businesses, flowers were delivered directly every day to both businesses. I still managed to sit with my friends at night and the little group grew as some of the ladies discovered us and brought their husbands along also. I skyped Carlos and Leon every night to bring them up to date and thanked them every time. Luca was feeling better and we managed to talk privately a few times. It was when we were all taking up space on the steps one night that Federico turned up unexpectedly, I was on a high because everything was falling into place but he tapped me on the shoulder and just then I noticed Nonno's car pull up. After some greetings they wanted to talk to me in private upstairs, Nonna had a basket of food and we three walked up to the flat.
"What's happening, why are you all here?"
"Sit down Antonio, I will get you a wine," Federico said as he opened a bottle and grabbed the glasses. I went numb inside and the brick in my stomach throbbed as I shook, I shook all over and couldn't calm down because I only had to look in my Nona's red eyes to know what had happened.
I rest my head on my forearms and I cried my heart out for what seemed forever. He's gone, and I felt it in every vein in my body.
"Son, he didn't make it, he took an overdose last night and Carlos found him this morning. I guess his mind was so confused he wasn't thinking straight. The grief has been felt in the family tenfold, he was a beautiful nephew but didn't have the strength to see it all through. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news for you Antonio we are deeply saddened by his passing," Federico said. I couldn't say anything, I wanted to hold him one last time but I couldn't even do that. My shaking hand brought the glass to my lips and I hyperventilated as I skulled the wine, it will calm me down hopefully.
"I spoke to him two days ago, I knew he wasn't right, he was trying to be funny but it didn't work on me. Oh God, give me the strength to get through this, I did love him and we were going to get together forever, but now he's gone and left me." I didn't know what to say I was so upset.
"He was too depressed Antonio, it had nothing to do with his love for you, more about him not recovering from that horrible man that was abusing him. His demons wouldn't leave him and it drove him to this."
"I know, I know, I should have gone there with Leon, I could have helped him."
"You couldn't Antonio, if his family couldn't help then you couldn't, please celebrate that you knew him for a short time, he would want that son. Dry your eyes and we will talk further." He was such a comforting man, no wonder Alice loved him. He got me another wine and Nona held my hand.
"I will get you something to eat Ant, it will make you feel a little better."
I nodded yes. I guess she's disappearing to the kitchen, the only safe place in the world for her to sort out her feelings, and she needed to be doing something.
I cried some more before I said,
"I must ring Carlos and Leon, they will be beside themselves." "Leave it for later, I'm sure they probably won't want to talk about it at the moment, give it a few days."
"The funeral." I looked at him.
"We will discuss it Antonio, but at the moment there will be an autopsy to make sure there was no underhanded stuff going on. The funeral will take place in a week to ten days."
"I have to be there, what the hell am I going to do with the business?"
"You're not to worry about the business son, we will run it until you return, don't forget you have a lot of friends who love you dearly and they will make sure it runs smoothly."
Nona placed some food on the table, that fixes everything so we four ate in silence and I had more wine.
I was drained of any emotion as I said my goodnights to them, it was late and Nonno said I wasn't to go to work tomorrow, I was to take a day to grieve for my friend and he will call by and let me know what was happening.
I wanted to get really drunk so the pain would go, so when they left I sat on the fire escape and talked silently to my Luca. He was with me and we even managed a laugh or two, I also drank a whole bottle of wine, my tears didn't stop and that brick in my stomach got worse with every glass I had.
I woke with a hangover but at least my stomach felt better, the first day of really being alone and I had no plans at all. I hadn't planned on this happening to us so my head was reeling and wanting Luca to come back to me where I could keep him safe. Then the remorse set in, if only, I should have done this, I should have done that, it all started in my head then the guilt arrived. It was overpowering me and wanting me to repent for my sins, the sins I held against Gino, Luca, the rapist, in my head I wanted them all to go away and leave me alone. I shook and threw back the covers and went to the bathroom, the many times I wanked in that shower over Luca hit me like a hot brick, and I pissed like a racehorse as my bowel emptied last night's drinks that mixed with my tears.
The coffee was welcome as I toyed with my phone, I should at least ring Leon, but I put it down and remembered what was said, they will contact me when they are ready to talk, I crashed again. I didn't think I had any more tears in me, but there they were, flowing down my face again. I turned the computer on and looked at his beautiful face for ages as I sat all alone. It was okay for me to be alone, I have been that way all my life, and I wallowed in the sadness without anyone looking at me or talking to me. I enjoyed the solitude as the morning sun rose lighting up my living room.
I showered and scrubbed every inch of my body, sex wasn't on the menu today and I dressed in sweats and a t-shirt then lay on the sofa with the TV on but the sound turned off.
I dozed a little until I heard a ping, it was an email.
"We are with you in spirit Antonio, we feel your grief and we haven't forgotten you. Our little brother has gone on without us and we hope and pray he is in a better world than he was. We love you, Antonio, please understand if we don't talk for a few days. Love Carlos, Gianni and Leon."
I wanted to say something back to them, but came up with nothing to console them except,
"Ti Amo"
I understand if they don't ring or skype, they all must be feeling it worse than me, that possible love has now become impossible love again.
I tried to eat some of Nona's cannelloni and managed to at least get rid of the pangs in my stomach, but not that brick, it pounded away with no regard for me at all.
Around four I was going stir crazy so I grabbed a bottle and went to sit out the front, Gino, Anna, Alice and surprisingly Federico again, were there.
They immediately stood up and hugged me, I had tears still but not buckets, just those slow drips that come and go. Gino said he would have been up to sit with me but decided I needed some space to grieve on my own. He knew that if I needed him I would have rung anyway. Alice said the ladies send their sympathies and if there's anything I needed they were at my disposal. The orders were coming through thick and thin and the last email they got from the casino was for a wedding to be held there, although they didn't pay as much as the other one but will make my business good money.
Federico handed me an envelope and some euros and an airline ticket, it was an open-ended ticket to Rome so I could be with the family for the funeral.
"I can't go my friend, what about the new business? It will fail without me."
"Do you really think that Antonio?" Alice smiled, it was nice to see a smile at least.
"I suppose not. I just don't want to face up to it, that's all."
"The boys will meet you both at Da Vinci airport Ant, then drive you through the valleys to their home. Stay as long as you need as everyone is backing you up and we have more workers than you could imagine, so you're not to worry, it will all run smoothly."
"Thank you all for being on top of it when I can hardly shower myself, I have never felt more loved than at this moment."
"Oh, I'm sure you have Ant," Anna said then smiled, that got everyone laughing.
"Well, there was one night in the park up the road...." I was thinking about Luca and the hole in the wall.
"Stop right there," Alice said.
"We don't want to know."
"I do." Anna was firing tonight and the wine was going down a treat.
Our spirits lifted and when Alice and Federico left it was just us three.
Gino went and got another two bottles and once again I was put to bed.
The biggest arrangement of red roses arrived in the morning, it was from the Italian club and created by my girls, they had all signed the card and I guess the one big one will do instead of filling up my apartment with dozens of bowls.
I looked at my ticket and my flight was at lunchtime, Gino said he will drive me out, work or not I must come first. Federico will meet me there and we will travel together, I was very warmed that he is coming because I didn't want to be on that plane on my own.
I went out and bought myself a nice new suit from a top designer called Cody Mitchell. The salesman made me try on three different trousers then he changed the whole look when he found out the funeral was in Italy. I ended up with a form-fitting jacket and a pair of black pants that were hipster style. Apart from my grief, when I looked in the mirror I almost threw a boner. A crisp white shirt and a green tie would cap the look off, and I understood that Luca's family had money and only bought the best in clothing, so I should at least try and fit in with my Cody special.
I had flowers sent to Luca's house, not roses but an array of different colors, and the card read, 'From your Australian friends and loves."
The suitcase that appeared was big and grandma helped me pack it, she has traveled before and knew what to take. I bought new bathroom accessories and towels then a new bathrobe, my beautiful Cody suit will have its own covering and I believe will be hung up somewhere by the hostesses.
I have never flown before and although as sad I was I was also excited to experience my first flight. When all the tears and goodbyes were said at the airport we went through customs and I was totally in another world. My grandparents had insisted they see me off and so did Alice and Anna, plus an array of my girls that weren't working today including Nina who had an endless supply of tissues.
I looked through the huge duty-free stores but decided I wouldn't buy anything, the prices were atrocious and I could get a better deal in any shopping mall in Melbourne.
As we soared into the sky my hands gripped the armrests and I felt like I had hit the big time, Federico looked at me and said,
"Don't forget to breathe Antonio." He smiled.