Impossible Love

Impossible Love 15

"What have you decided to do with the shop Gianni?"

"Nothing yet, I was waiting until you have some more good ideas." He grinned at me.

"I have nothing else at the moment, and when do you take it over?" "As soon as Stavros leaves Antonio, he wants me to come in soon and he will show me how the coffee machine works and go through the supplier's list, but I think I will keep the casual staff on until I get to know the job."

"Well it looks like I won't be needed in my shop so I am thinking I will come and help you, but today I must go and make an appearance at the warehouse."

"Can I come with you?"

"Of course you can come, it's not far, we can walk it."

"Is this before or after you take care of me?"

I slipped under the table and pulled his underwear off, then took really good care of him.

"I need to put some chicken wire on that balcony so Lukas won't fall through the bars, it will give him more room to move around and plenty of fresh air."

"Can we get some locally Antonio?"

"Yes, where the gay orgy place is, it's a hardware shop in reality."

"Oh?"

"You knew that, don't come the big oh with me."

He giggled a lot and his hands covered his mouth so I thought I would like a nice blow job too so I gagged him for ten minutes. We readied ourselves and left early. I wanted to get to the hardware shop then the warehouse, it's down the same street as the Italian club so I will kill two birds with one stone, and I can show Gianni where the club is too.

No sign of the boys this morning, they must have gone to work early. I never found out where their work was until I asked Gianni on the way, and he said they have an office at the showroom in the city behind Federico's wine shop.

"Hey Gianni, I never really got a straight answer from anyone, but I'm curious who is the relative that lives here, the one Sabine and Ramone visit?"

"I don't know Antonio, an old friend of theirs I think, she might be a relative but I was never told, I only hear things."

"So it's a lady?"

"Yes definitely a woman, do you want me to find out for you?" "No, that's okay, I was just wondering that's all, it's a long way to come just to visit."

"They do other stuff too Antonio, business-wise."

"Okay, this is the hardware shop so we had better get some wire to tie it down with."

"Leave all the manly stuff to me Antonio, I know the manly stuff." He laughed.

I guess he would know how to do it as he's probably fixed a fence or two in his life. We found a roll of chicken wire, some snips and a roll of Flexi wire, he was looking at everything even buckets, there were a few bar tables there with the high chairs but I thought maybe if we ask around we might get some wholesale. I will take my boyfriend to the Italian club Saturday night, we can try and do some business there, and I must make a list of things he will want.

I carried the wire while he carried Lukas who was smiling at everybody who walked by, his black floppy curls blowing gently in the breeze. I don't think we will get it cut, but that's a conversation I haven't had with Gianni, about the baby that is, and how we are going to work it.

Arriving at the warehouse was like entering a surprise party, there was a big welcome home banner strung across the big space and the tea room was full of food. Gran was the first to take Lukas and I'm sure she snarled when someone tried to take him off her. We both were hugged and kissed and I noticed buckets of flowers for miles and finished flower bowls stacked up on a big mobile shelving unit.

"These are today's orders Antonio, they will be delivered in the morning, one hundred and fifty plus a dozen big ones we will make this afternoon," the head girl Tina said.

"So how are they working it for us?"

"The hotel's housekeepers check the occupied rooms everyday, they throw out bowls and arrangements then mark it on their room docket, the office collates the number, and the order is sent through to us for delivery the next day. We are averaging one hundred and fifty a day at the moment but that figure will rise when the racing season starts and at Christmas also. It works perfectly Antonio, the growers deliver here for a few extra pennies so there's no going to the markets to buy them, the order is standard flowers only. If they request more exotic ones we go to the shop and get them." She smiled and I felt like I was out of a job but relieved I didn't have to go to the market anymore.

"Thank you all so very much, if there's anything you want just let me know I will be more than happy to accommodate you all." I thought I had better say something as they have been so good to me.

"There is one thing Antonio," Tina said.

"Anything."

"The girls miss their afternoon serials, could we get a nice television put in, we can all put in for it?"

"I will buy them, and have a few installed by the end of the week." I smiled and heard a lot of clapping.

"You will have to tell the company where to put them."

"Thank you Antonio, we didn't like to ask but when our work is done is when they are on."

"All my pleasure Tina." I found Gianni in the tea room with grandad who was looking over some account books, but Lukas was nowhere to be seen, he had been swallowed up by a bunch of lovely flower ladies, I think.

"Hi Nono, good to see you again. "Hello Antonio, if you keep giving away all your money you won't have any business left at the end of the month." He looked over his bifocals at me.

"It's three TVs, they cost nothing nowadays." I opened my arms.

"Then you pay for them through your personal stash Antonio, not out of the business accounts please."

"Okay boss, no problem, I will pay for them."

"Gianni was laughing into a very nice looking cream cake.

"Are they nice Gianni?"

He had a mouthful so he gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

"You will need to keep them in your new shop."

Another thumbs up.

"No eating them either." A frown.

I will find out who made them and tell Nina we want them all, some extra work for one of her ladies at least.

"How is my business going anyway?" I asked because I am the boss after all.

"Very good Antonio, but could be better."

"So are you going to give me a look?"

He closed the accounts book and placed it into his valise, looks like I don't get a look today. He then pulled out another book and opened it.

"This one is the tax man ledger, as you can see you are doing okay."

"And the other one?"

"You are doing much better." He winked. I had forgotten grandad had worked in a bank for years. When I looked in the tax man's book, business was being good to me, the balance was excellent and I think I will buy the other two warehouses for investment anyway.

The ladies started their welcome back party and everyone was eating at their work stations, there was so much food to be had. I noticed Nona making up some take homes and placing them in a carry bag, so I am guessing I won't be cooking tonight, which is a big plus.

Gianni finally got Lukas back and he was giving him a piece of his cake while I ate, no he didn't like that one so he gave him a chocolate one which he loved because his hands slapped the table non-stop, and his little mouth was open to receive some more crumbs.

"When are we going to put him on solids Gianni?" He looked at me and replied,

"When you tell me." So I had a very long conversation with the ladies and was assured we should start now, they will make up some baby food, not the rubbish you get in the shops, and they will get someone to drop it off.

"It will all be pre-frozen Antonio which will be okay for our little prince." I looked at Gianni and he looked at Lukas, yes, he was our little prince.

The order for the day after next came through and the ladies started counting bunches of flowers and putting them into separate buckets, they had a production line and a good method going so I won't interfere, but I will get those TVs organized.

Before we left Grandad passed me a piece of paper with a name and number printed on it.

"What's this for?"

"The televisions, give Dimitris a call, he will do everything and give you a cash price." He winked. I thanked him and was a little put out, I can do business just as well as him, but it gives him some bragging rights I suppose.

We walked back home, I had the chicken wire and the food and Gianni had Lukas who is as light as a feather.

"I love it here Antonio, everyone is so friendly to me, I like your friends."

"That's good Gianni, we will need them to like us if we are going to do business with them."

"Yes, I noticed they love your Nono very much." He was being a smart ass but I didn't mind.

I opened the front door and Gianni went to change Lukas and to put him down for his nap, while I stacked the food in my freezer and thought I had better go through the dates and toss anything that's getting old. When Gianni came back I lost that thought as I was dragged into the bedroom and spread-eagled face down on the mattress with a behind full of gypsy sausage. We lay there and talked for a few hours, I found out his father's name was Basilio which meant noble or kingly, and his surname was Legartt.

"Why are you a Cartasso then?"

"Because they forced me to change it for the business. I didn't want to, that's not my right name Antonio, but I was too young to argue and didn't want to get a slapped face."

"They slapped you?" "No Antonio, but they threatened it several times, well lots of times, it scared me because my momma and poppa never did that to me."

"So they changed your name and heritage, they took all the gypsy heritage out of you."

"Something like that Antonio, they said it was for business."

"I don't mind now because that is my mother's name from before she married, apart from it being my brother's names too."

"Well you know you can change it at any time, just give me the word and I will get it done for you."

"There's something else too Antonio, I feel more than know, it was urgent to change my name, it happened so quickly."

"Do you think something illegal went on?"

"I don't know, so many questions I have Antonio, but no answers."

"Then I will try to find some answers for you." I smiled and took his rod in my hands and the party restarted.

I woke up with no Gianni beside me, he was in with Lukas again and his bottle was warming up on the stove. He had let me sleep in which was nice, so I placed my arms around him and smelt his neck, it was packed with pheromones and I wanted to eat him again. Bubs and the milk bottle were packed into the carry basket and we traipsed downstairs with a couple of bottles of our own. Everyone was there, even the boys, they must have forgotten about us when they came down, but I found out later Gianni told them I was sleeping because I was playing pack horses all day.

I was holding the bottle for Lukas who had tired arms tonight and he suckled away, but now and then he would stop to smile. The boys were talking about their day in meetings, they have almost organized the racing carnival and will give me their flower order for the Birdcage set up. The Birdcage is a stack of marquees, like pop-up clubs and every year the top brands have one each and it's a big deal to be invited into them to enjoy wines, champagne and food, sometimes entertainment is provided. But it's really to show off the brand names. The boys have rented a huge tent and they have to fit it out with Cartasso wines, they were talking about having live animals in it like lions and tigers, but Gino looked at them and laughed.

"No, just hunky men in tight shorts, nice cakes, and food and our wine. It's the stars and the celebrities we have to get, it's a real competition as to who has the biggest names."

"Who have you got so far?" I asked.

"A few Antonio."

"Who?"

"It's a secret, we don't want other businesses poaching our celebs."

"I see, so do you pay them?" "A little Antonio, appearance fees because they don't only appear in our tent, they do most of them."

"That's a bit odd, why don't you drop them and do something entirely different?"

"We must have celebrities Antonio, people expect it." Leon looked shocked at my suggestion.

"Do you need my help then, like waiting?"

"It's a very hard job Antonio."

"What's so hard about pouring drinks all day?"

"The pinched ass, it will be black and blue by the end of the day."

"Well he's not doing it, I don't want a bruised ass when I make love to it, thank you but no thanks."

I guess Gianni answered for me, but I do hope I get an invitation, I love celebrities.

No one got drunk tonight and we did have a good time. I took Lukas upstairs to put him into bed early and then I set the table for dinner, it will be ready before Gianni gets here.

We ate sparingly because we had guts ourselves earlier, then Gianni wanted to sit on the staircase and have a wine together. We had only just sat down when the boys arrived and whined about not seeing us today, they complained that they had to do all the work with no rewards, but they were certain the family business was very grateful to them. They passed over the flower order which was huge and they had priced them again, I didn't mind but they are family so they should be getting them at a discounted price at least.

Then I had a thought.

"Who's doing the catering for the marquees by the way?"

"The Hilton has been booked, they have big kitchens Antonio, we just have to go through the menu next week."

"Why don't you ask Nina, she could get her girls to do it?"

"It has to be professional," Leon said. I looked at him and shook my head, I should be running this operation.

"They are professional, good home-cooked Italian food and cakes to die for, we sampled it all today at the warehouse. You are selling Italian wines and no one wants the manufactured muck that hotels churn out, and believe me no one will get a good feed, the plates they serve up now wouldn't feed a bird, it's all about the presentation, not the food to them."

They looked at each other before Carlos said,

"It's taking a big chance Antonio."

"No you're not, if I was setting up a big event I would be using the local food not something the hotels tell you is good, why would you be promoting Italian wines with restaurant food?"

"It's the way it's always been done Antonio." Carlos looked at me.

"Let me put it another way. If I was attending your Italian event I would be expecting Italian food, the kind of food you have been brought up on, it's authentic, not fake. It also gives you an upper hand with the others, they will all have the same stuff from hotel kitchens. No one's got any imagination nowadays. Italian ladies serving Italian food, it could get a bit loud but they would be well worth more than any entertainers and celebrity fees in my books."

"You may have something there Antonio, maybe we will talk to Nina, maybe we are thinking around it the wrong way."

I went inside and got a tray of biscuits and cakes we had brought home with us, they tasted it all, and when it was empty they asked for more.

"This is what you want, fresh home-cooked, real food, authentic food."

Gianni took a big one for himself and was nodding his approval, he will be selling it in his shop soon.

The lady's auxiliary would cope with the five days, even do the waiter service, not some stodgy black and white, stuffy servers that you usually get at these types of functions.

"Chuck the girls into flowery colorful peasant dresses with heels and lipstick, they can talk in their mother tongue all day, it would be fantastic, think Sabine's back yard dining. An indoor pergola with grapevines, a big farm table loaded with food, but classy chandeliers hanging from the roof, it's not always about the wine, it's also the history and food that goes with it." I have said enough and now the boys are confused. I guess their ideas on dinner suits and evening gowns have just gone out the window.

They wanted to talk some more and then they wanted to sleep in our bed with us, but Gianni had other plans.

"I suppose Sabine will knock it on the head Gianni, she may not like the idea."

"She will and if she doesn't I will pull rank. I think your idea is wonderful Antonio, pulling it off will be the trick, maybe you should help them."

"I will, it looks like my businesses are running themselves so I will have some spare time. We have to get to your shop too."

"Can you write your ideas down so I know which way to go?" Leon asked me.

"Can I look at your plans first?" Carlos went inside and came back with a folder.

"This is it?" I was surprised because the folder wasn't very full.

"Yes Antonio, mostly it's the basics of what we always do at big events, so it's sort of pre-mapped out," Leon said. I can see I have my work cut out for me.

They talked amongst themselves and I was pleased I had them at least thinking out of the box. I started locking up and checked in on Lukas who was sleeping soundly, then we went to bed. Gianni had kicked his brothers out so we are alone at last.

"What about my shop Antonio, you must work for me first, not my brothers." Gianni frowned.

"You should be doing the same Gianni, home-made cakes, vines, peasant food and good coffee and wine. We will go to the Italian club tomorrow night so you can see what I mean for yourself, in the meantime I I'll talk to Nina for the boys."

"That would be nice to go there Antonio, but what do we do with Lukas?" He asked.

"We take him with us, you will see what I mean when you get there."

"Okay Antonio, I will leave it to you then."

"No, you have a say, it's your own business, I am just slinging ideas at you, you do what you want to do."

"Really?" He smiled, and I know that smile intimately.

"Really."

"What I want to do is make love to you Antonio, morning, noon and night."

"You can baby, anytime, fuck yes, anytime."

"Okay, it's night time now, so we had better get on with the job of making us feel good."

And we did.

The morning came too quickly because I had been waking now and then and playing with my man, at one stage I looked at him sleeping and knew I was the luckiest guy on the planet, I nearly wept at his beauty inside and out.

Ironically gran and grandpa arrived the next morning as we finished breakfast. I was looking at the marquee plans and making notes while the boys were playing with Lukas on the carpet and making a lot of silly noises.

Gran swooped him up and the fun was over because she wanted to talk quietly with him on the sofa. I made coffee for everyone and grandad asked me if I had rung Dimitris yet. I almost curtsied and grabbed my phone, better late than never. I talked for twenty minutes with a very nice man called Dimitris, he owned the big home furnishing shop in the next street and was very happy to do that job for me, while I was on the phone I asked him if he had any bar tables and stools. He said I could have a look when I dropped the cash off later today.

"What have you been doing Antonio?" Gianni asked.

"Making some business baby, I have to go and pay for the televisions this morning."

The boys started looking at my notes and they were both pretty excited because they reverted to talking in Italian.

I got down on my knees and took all the cash out from under the sideboard. I had to get a big plastic bag to carry it all, and grandpa wasn't very tidy when he stuffed some more under it.

"Now help me count this into thousand-dollar bundles, I have some elastic bands somewhere." I fished them all out of the kitchen drawer and everyone started counting.

"Antonio how much for the televisions?" Nono asked.

"About three and a half grand installed, I want good ones."

All up there was nearly eighty grand stashed away, it had grown in the months I had been away.

"Antonio?"

"Yes Gianni?"

"You have a credit card."

"I do, but it doesn't have enough limit, just a couple of grand."

"No, the other one."

I thought about it for a second and pulled out Gianni's card and gave it to him.

"You pay for it on this." He handed it back.

"I can't do that, I've got the cash otherwise I will have to pay retail prices, we deal a lot in cash here." I smiled at grandad.

"We are partners, and you will pay for everything you buy for the café with that card." He was very forceful and grandad stared at him like he was the enemy.

"I got it Gianni, we will speak of money later."

"Do what you want Antonio, we will work out a payment plan when our business gets up and running."

I told the boys and grandad what I had in mind for the ladies and their friends. I was going to get a community kitchen going and hopefully we can do some catering for weddings and small events in time, but we have to speak to Nina first.

Of course grandad knew the Cartasso family had money but he doesn't know that Gianni owns half of it, and I won't tell him. As far as he knows Gianni is a laborer at the winery, a son, but a laborer just the same. The boys laughed their heads off and said they had better start to cancel appointments.

"Don't forget the ladies all work for cash; you get a better discount if you do it that way."

I hope they can get their hands on some cash, otherwise I will have to give them a loan and that gathers interest.

I got the stroller ready and an extra bottle, I needed to go one street over and talk to Dimitris, it was decided that we all needed a walk, and grandma was driving Lukas.

We dropped back a little as I wanted to reassure Gianni I will use his card for the cafe. He answered that it was our money and he didn't care how I spent it, but he understood cash is always better and we can talk about it later.

"But baby, we haven't talked about money and where Lukas fits into my life, we need to do that some time, just so I know where we stand." He stopped me and turned me around.

"Lukas is our son, we are both his fathers and we will be good ones, the money is ours, we are in a partnership and will be married much sooner than I expect. Now do your job and don't complain because I am a very forceful man of the house. Plus, I will be going to the bank and getting some cash for myself to pay the workers." He smiled then kissed me.

"Okay then, what's my first job as a partner?"

"To carry the baby things Antonio, it's unmanly of me to be doing such things anymore." He walked off laughing his head off.

When we got to Dimitris' warehouse slash shop, he ordered coffee for his new cashed-up friends and made us sit around a table that was up for sale.

"Antonio, I will have the televisions installed Monday, and here is that account." He pushed a piece of paper to me and it is about what I wanted to pay, so I dug into my paper bag and handed over the cash.

"Now I want to talk bar tables and stools, but they will be paid for with a card."

"That we can do Antonio."

While he showed me his stools, Gianni was testing beds out.

"Our bed is brand new Gianni we don't need another one."

"Yes Antonio, sadly we need a king-sized one for when my brothers stay over."

"They live next door."

"Yes, but I like them to stay occasionally, hand my card over please." He's determined to use that bloody card even if it's just for a bed, a pretty expensive bed though.

I did as he said, I thought Lukas could use my almost new queen-sized bed when he gets older, and I could offer this brand new one to Gino and Anna.

Grandma went straight to the bedroom and changed Lukas then she lit the oven and looked in the freezer, she was making lunch.

Grandad helped Gianni do the chicken wire and the boys disappeared to do some figures and to maybe cancel some bookings, I think they really wanted to play hide the sausage. I sat at the table and looked at the plans for the cafe some more, this is so easy. I made notes as they came to mind and had almost completely re-designed the place, and yes, I added two big chandeliers to the list.

They argued over a piece of wire for ages and grandad won because his way was the best. Gianni won't ask him to help again, but when grandad started talking about kid proofing the apartment, he made notes on what to buy. I guess I will be carrying the stuff, that's part of our deal.

They disappeared after lunch because gran had to have a beauty nap and get her gown pressed, and hair curled for tonight. I checked our suits out and went to look for something spunky for Lukas to wear. He was sound asleep and I stared at him with so much love my heart it burst with happiness, and when Gianni lay on top of me that happiness soared to twice the level. Although Gianni was a little heavy laying on me, he was only kissing me and nipping my ears so I moved him sideways and did the same. I asked him if I could fuck him and was surprised when he said he thought I would never ask. He was so tight and told me he had only done it a few times with Luca years ago, but he did like it.

I was in heaven as he squirmed, and had to lick his pits and chest which was a big turn on to me, so I came very quickly. All my lovemaking techniques came into play but I wasn't ready to be turned over and packed by him after my performance of a lifetime, which he did.

I showed and dressed with just the hipsters and a shirt and tie tonight, but I will carry a light jacket. Lukas looked beautiful in his sailor's suit we had bought him at the market, it even had a little cap but it wouldn't stay on.

"We will have to leave early Antonio so he can sleep."

"Just wait and see Gianni, I may have a surprise for you so we can dance the night away." I grinned because I knew that won't happen.

At the Italian club, there is a storeroom that was soundproof with toys scattered everywhere, this is where all the babies are kept when they want to sleep and two of the older girls watch them for a price, so it's nice and almost quiet for the precious bubs.

We all walked onto the street picking the boys up, as well as Gino and Anna, and Alice and Federico on the way. We took wine, but I'm sure a lot will be purchased from the canteen during the night. The boys once again tried to put their hands on me, they wanted to check my hipsters out. By the time we got there my shirt was out of the waistband and my nipples and bum were aching, and of course the boys looked smashing like always, not a hair out of place.

I went to the men's restroom to tidy up again and Gianni walked into the big social room. When I came out gran who looked lovely had bubs and Gianni was seated with the men to settle into a round of cards. Money is exchanged under the counter for matches so it's not all legal.

I got him a glass of wine and stood watching for a minute or two then went to sit with the others.

Gino was smiling and Anna was showing a very small baby bump, she said she is giving up work to concentrate on a family, she can always go back to it or get part-time work with the company. I deliberately sat away from Carlos and Leon, if they don't undress me they will get me drunk, or both if I fail in my plan.

"I have deliberately placed names on this list Antonio of the cooks that don't work in the florist business, these ladies are the best." Nina smiled at me.

"Now Nina, I want you to get together with Leon and Carlos, they have a big job coming up for your girls."

"Okay, I will get to them in a minute Antonio, anything else?"

"The TVs will be installed Tuesday and yes, your cooks will be supplying Giannis's new café with cakes, that will be ongoing."

"My girls will be so happy, thank you." She sat there staring at me until I realized what she was up to, so I fished the five hundred dollars out of my pocket and slipped it to her. She thanked me and sashayed her way back to her business table.

I gave the nod to Leon and Carlos and they went to talk to her.

Gianni came over and in about an hour he had cleaned them out, and had a pocket full of matches which he will exchange for money when he gets to the serving area. He was hungry so we started going up to get our meals, they had parmigiana with veggies on tonight, seven dollars each, and while he exchanged his wooden sticks I took our meals back to the table. I watched Lukas whose eyes were everywhere as his nanny held him tight. Gianni did have a dance with me after we had a few drinks, and the boys joined in, but no one batted an eyelash.

While we were dancing I remembered something Gianni had said.

"Did you ask me to marry you earlier?"

"Yes Antonio, we will be married soon."

"Oh thank you."

"You're very much welcome." Then he kissed me, much to the delight of everyone who was watching us.

Please consider a donation to Nifty