Impossible Love

Impossible Love 33

Maxieplus

That night after our usual drinks on the steps with Gino, I had a word with Gianni about the name he was suddenly calling me.

"I love it, but your father used it on you several times to get into your heart Gianni, so It sounds like it's a false name you are giving me, like not genuine."

He pulled me in closer and kissed me."

"Ti Amo."

"That's better when we first met, you said that to me and I love you too." I kissed him back and he started pumping my insides again and he was talking in Italian. I had no idea what was said but his deep voice echoed off the walls.

It was all go the next day we had to move everything to the Casino, the driver arrived on time and we had already loaded up Gianni's van with the barrows and lighting. A couple of delivery trucks were taken from my flower warehouse and they were loaded up with the rest of the stuff and the wine. Gianni was so excited he couldn't wait to outsmart his brothers and Nina, he knows he's got the best events organizer sitting next to him. Gran and grandad met us there they were going to take Lukas for a big walk over to the Aquarium across the river. The van was set up first and I looked across and the boys were working their asses off unloading bales of hay, I also noticed three Vespa's heaps of flowers and their big-ticket item, a Gypsy caravan, all my ideas wrapped up in one, and it will be an awesome display, well done.

I placed the barrows to the right while the men erected the structure that will hold the neon sign and a smaller structure that will hole my sign Antonio's. I wanted the display to look like Giannis café with a hint of my florist shop beside it, I may as well get some advertising in too. He was pleased with my display and he did say he was going to mention I do something to fill it up more.

So we had a big neon sign that said Gianni's and a smaller one that said Antonio's it looked awesome when it all came together, now we have to display his wines, the most important items, my flowers were awesome and dotted everywhere but they didn't take over the main event which was Gianni's.

I stood back and took photos as the bud lighting lit it all up, I felt like I was at a gypsy market and when I looked over again at the boys they were just turning their spotlights on the display was beautiful. It will start at nine in the morning and we will have to be here for five full days, no sitting out the back drinking I can only imagine how the boys will take that.

Sabine rocked up and was very pleased with Nina's work and she congratulated Gianni and me on our outstanding display.

"It will look better when the boys and girls are around and customers."

"I hope I sell something Antonio, I am all squished inside with nerves."

"Well I have had your suit cleaned and you will look smashing as the principal salesman I will be helping of course, and the kids."

"I don't want to wear a suit Antonio, can't I just wear shorts?"

"No, suck it up Gianni, this display and your wines are too good for shorts especially being the owner."

"But."

"No Buts Gianni this is real life, this is your business do or die you have to look the part."

"Okay, Antonio I will wear a suit then."

I didn't want him flaunting his body around all day and I have changed the kid's uniforms to hipster dinner pants, white shirts, and bow ties, and some lovely glittery evening gowns for the girls, this house is going to blitz it.

Lukas arrived back and couldn't wait to tell us about all the different fish he had seen, but of course, it was all baby talk, we grabbed everyone and started for the big restaurant outside to have a late lunch, the food was amazing and the company even better. The wines were ordered and Gianni was talking to the manager's secretary who I waved to.

"Who is that Antonio?" Sabine asked me.

"One of my gang Sabine I don't know her first name but she's good with people, she knows her stuff." I had crossed my fingers and prayed he will get the order from her.

"She wants samples Antonio, I have to deliver them to her office sometime this afternoon."

"Really and how did she know about your wines?"

He laughed and blushed.

"I think a little cute sparrow told her." He kissed me Sabine scrunched her serviette up.

"It will be a big plus to put Gianni's wines in here Antonio."

"Do you think so, she told me a few weeks ago when I booked the site they were excited to see what he came up with. Their silver service and restaurants only serve the best, and I checked Sabine, they keep the Cartasso brand here too." I smiled, that made her relax. She should know all this, they are only wanting to add it to their regular menu of fine wines.

"Now what is this I hear about the market being sold?"

Everyone went quiet at the table, then they looked at me. Bloody hell, I am never going to get that curse taken off me at this rate.

"Gianni bought it so the boys will have something to do." I made my answer simple and direct.

"Why?"

"Because they need something to do when there are no events and when the market is fully rejuvenated they will run it alongside Stavros's son he will continue as the manager." I tried to explain.

"No, I mean why did Gianni buy it, why not the boys?"

I looked over at the two red-faced lovers and opened my hands.

"Please explain."

"We got Gianni to buy it because then if we don't like it he can run it, or you can if you like Antonio." Poor Carlos he's the spokesman today.

"Not happening, Gianni put your wallet away the boys are buying the market and they are going to work it because it's a national treasure, and if they stuff it up they will have the whole of Australia on their backs."

"Antonio, your no fun anymore, we don't want it now."

"It will run itself, but the big decisions will be made by you both, and Nina." She lifted her head.

"Don't bring me into your family troubles Antonio, I have enough to do."

"What collecting under the table deal money a bit at a time, haven't you any dreams or goals to meet Nina? This is a golden opportunity for you to do what you do best, coordinate and renovate a huge iconic market." She dropped her head and as for her semi-retiring, I think I just got her back to work full time.

"We will do it if you help us aunty Nina." They had her with their sad big eyes, and the aunty title.

"Okay, but no slacking off you need to make your investment work for you, and the first thing we do is put a big tax on florist shops." She grinned at me.

"What?"

"You heard Antonio, that shop of yours uses the most water and electricity in the place.

"What about Gianni's?"

"He doesn't use water Antonio, he uses wine." She laughed her head off and thinks she's so funny but the boys are mine. I have them in my back pocket, so, bring it on.

"Mama, can you lend us the money?" Sabine laughed.

"You would use your mama's money, write a cheque out, the last cheque you wrote was for two cars back in Italy when you got your licenses, and then got your mates to drive them. You have plenty of money in the bank, your father and I made sure of it. Don't disappoint us, boys."

"Okay, mama we won't." I leaned into Gianni and whispered.

"I think I just saved you six mil."

"Thank you Antonio I didn't want to run the market. I thought you might like it for a wedding present."

"What?" I give up so I ordered dessert.

The day went fast after that, and when we arrived home we were all stuffed, but tradition dictates once more we sit on the steps and greet our friends walking by.

"I heard Gianni bought the market Antonio." Gino wasn't told but we will now.

"The boys have bought it, and they are going to run it, a big renovation will be a plus it's looking a bit tired nowadays."

"Oh and a bigger spot for me Antonio?'

"We will see Gino, you will be included in the refit, you are family after all."

"Thank you, and if you need a hand just let me know." He offered.

"We will, but in the meantime have a look at the mid-section where the coffee tables are it's bigger than your spot." I winked.

I had the idea of putting the coffee shops back into their shops, they have taken liberties over the last few years and extended their seating into the center of the market, it takes up a lot of room and they don't pay rent for it either. It's nothing to do with Gianni's its simple plain business that's all. Pack them in and you gain plenty of room, we can cite insurance or something if they object, or they can always move somewhere else.

I will write up my ideas when we get home and I think Gino is already planning his new fruit and veggie stall. Anna was in a good mood tonight and she bantered back and forth with the boys she wanted to open a book shop if they find any space for it, Gino objected and she gave him such a dressing down about women in the workplace, he was forced to shut up.

I almost had to dress him and gran took many photos when she arrived, he looked magnificent in his fine black suit. My man doesn't know how good-looking he is in a suit, and his hands were all over me as I tied his green silk tie. We looked at each other in the mirror and deemed us both spunks, his pants were tight but he will lose his erection once gran talks to him.

Lukas was left in good hands and we kissed them all goodbye and left for the event. Angelo looked so nice and Maxie almost stretched his shirt to the limit trying to fit into it, he had muscles that ached to be on show. I looked them both up and down and deemed them national Italian treasures. Maxie winked at me his hands were red but healing nicely the other gorgeous looking boys and three girls I had hired from Nina s stock. The girls had sparkly long black dresses on and their hair was done up in buns with tiaras, the Audrey Hepburn look I thought to myself. They had done the Melbourne cup so they knew something about the wines and they also knew they were here to sell, not pick up.

We were running through the spreadsheet for the day and in a nutshell, all they had to do was pose and look good to drag the buyers in. There were twenty Vineyards presented, but we were the only true Italian imported ones, an advantage over the fully established local ones. Gianni's lit up like a bonfire and because his wine was new all the other stallholders started tasting his wares before they opened. They praised him on his best ones and wished him luck with the show, he was puffing his chest out and smiling that beautiful man-boy smile.

He didn't get any customers by ten and was getting worried because there were plenty of buyers and lookers around but they weren't coming our way. The Cartasso winery was already taking orders and the boys took great delight in telling us when they got an order.

I was watching a frail lady walk around with her son, maybe her grandson she was only tasting a little at a time and she intrigued me because she didn't look like a little old pensioner she looked like a businesswoman. Maybe she crashed the do from the poker machine area, which was not far away from the exhibits. It was perfectly acceptable that the public was tasting our wines, but this one was different.

"Mamm would you like to try some of the new Gianni collection?" I held my tray out.

"Thank you, young man, how polite you are. And where is your business situated?" She giggled.

"It's a new imported wine from Italy, made at the Cartasso winery from Gianni's private recipes. Gianni is the man standing over there with the big grin on his face."

"Has he made some good sales my boy?"

"Not yet, the smile is fake his real smile is a lot cuter." I laughed as she sipped on the wine then she tried another one.

"He's nervous, poor boy. It's always a terrible moment launching new wines to the public. My late husband and I did it several times before we leased the business out."

"You were in the wine business then."

"Yes young man for many years, we had a good life but my sons are doing it now, they do very well for themselves."

"That's good to hear that they are looking after business as usual." I smiled my million-dollar smile.

"Well Tony what do you think, do we or don't we."

"We do mam."

"That good is it?" She lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes very good, and if I may add excellent, new, vibrant, full-bodied. Why hasn't he got any orders yet?"

"I suppose the buyers are nervous to take on untried wines, but he does well with his café at the Prahran market, he is very happy."

"I know."

"You know?"

"It's my business to know young man, I sent Tony in to get a few bottles last week, I had already heard he was very good with his wines and I wanted to try them ahead of this event."

"He will be chuffed to hear that, Mrs?"

"Just plain old Mrs. Wilson son, and you are?"

"Antonio mam."

"Ah, the florist?"

"Yes mamm."

"Please stop calling me that Antonio, I don't feel that old." She smiled and added.

"Call me Iris."

"Thank you Iris, and yes I agree you aren't that old, your lovely, and please enjoy your time here."

"I am Antonio, now may I place an order with you, or do you want me to excite your young man?" I don't know how she guessed, but I suppose she's done her homework.

"With my man, if you wouldn't mind but I will come along to help."

I introduced Iris and Tony to Gianni, his genuine smile was back.

"Iris would like to place an order with your business please Mr. Gianni." I winked.

"Thank you so much, Iris you will be my first customer. Antonio where is the order book?" He was panicking.

"In your hand dufas," I said.

"What's dufas Antonio? you call me silly names sometimes." Iris and Tony were laughing as I offered them seats.

"Now my name is Iris Wilson and I own the Swagman chain of Tattersall hotels, the order is to be sent to this warehouse address for distribution. Tony hand over the card please."

Gianni hadn't even started writing and when he heard the word `chain' he was stunned into silence.

"Are you getting all this Gianni, please don't be shocked at who I am, be happy because all eyes are on us, and there are gentlemen and ladies that are dying to make orders with you, once they see me doing it." She smiled at Gianni.

"Iris is also the top wine connoisseur in Australia, other wine businesses always follow her lead," Tony said and we both stared at him.

"Gianni, I love your new wines and I see you have rebranded the cheap Cartasso plonk, a very wise move, and I believe you are a Cartasso yourself?"

"Yes mamm, I am, I used to work in the winery back in Italy, and I have plenty of recipes if needed."

"Then you get them made as soon as possible and I will judge them for you. You had better hurry because apparently, I'm not getting any younger, please call me Iris." She laughed her head off.

"Now Gianni I want a full container load of the cheap plonk, if I may. One container of your top shelf and one mixed with your medium wines. I think your top shelf is the best wine you produce, better than your family one. I am very excited for your business Gianni and get those other recipes done as soon as possible, please. Just a tip also, the cheap plonk. I believe you can do better, so work on replacing it with your recipe."

"Omg, thank you so much, Iris, this is wonderful." I gushed.

"Thank me later boys Tony will give you the deposits required and make way for a rush on your very lovely stall." She winked then she went to look at the Combi van and to have a seat and another wine.

"How much did she order?" A man said in my ear.

"Three container loads," I whispered to him.

"Here's my card I will take the same, then please give me a tasting," I called Angelo over and he offered him the small crystal glasses we had hired, for the customer to taste the wines.

"Perfect, she's bloody good at her job young man, you are never going to look back again."

As I wrote the order out I noticed Iris, she lifted her glass and salute the wine, not us but the wine, she was helping us to sell.

Gianni was nearly in tears when they moved on he had to sit down, he had loosened his tie and had a big glass of wine in his hands, then he handed me one.

"Antonio what did I do to deserve to have all this?"

"You were yourself, and you are a brilliant winemaker, that's what you did"

"But six containers, not even mama gets that on a good day like this."

"Sorry, Gianni you might have to top your wine up and steel yourself. I sold six containers so that makes twelve" He started crying, only Italians can do this in public.

"Antonio please, we need help over here. Crown Casinos want to order for their Australian Asian Casinos I can't do it. I'm too busy writing out orders." Angelo laughed.

"Come on big boy we have work to do." I can see he's going to be pretty useless from now on.

With his red eyes, Gianni was almost posturing himself to the rush of customers and the boys weren't happy I can tell you. They were sipping on wines and their event stall was empty.

I held up my fingers and indicated fourteen containers, Leon couldn't help himself he grabbed Carlos and they started helping us out.

The party started at the Casino and when Sabine and Nina arrived they sat back in awe of Gianni, she had underestimated her son badly. I must say if it wasn't for a little old lady that owned a few poker machine venues this would never have been as big a day as it was. I will be forever grateful to Iris and Tony.

"Can we cover the orders Gianni?"

"For today but not the rest of the days."

"Okay, we will sort it all out at home, maybe we do Iris first because without her this wasn't happening."

"I agree Antonio it does my head in at the moment."

"Well let's turn the lights out and go home and celebrate baby."

"Can you drive I don't think I am up to it?"

"Yes Gianni, I will be the man today."

"Antonio?" He moaned.

"Just for a half-hour Gianni, then your back to being the man."

"Okay." He smiled.

"We did nine that's very good for us," Leon said.

"We did sixteen that's very good for our first try," I said.

"You have done nineteen Antonio, this is the Cartasso order." Sabine placed an order form on the table with the others.

"Mama?" Gianni looked at her.

"You're not going to launch your new brand without your family being involved Gianni, or did you think we would not keep it in our shops?"

"No mama I thought you would just take it from the winery."

"No son this is business, and don't bother having it sent over it will be landing next week."

"I don't suppose you ordered extras?" I asked.

"Yes Antonio I knew this would be good, so I have four containers coming of each wine, the Cartasso cheap plonk can be relabelled as soon as possible. And Gianni, we are so proud of you we could burst with pride." She kissed both his cheeks and Gianni wept once again.

The boys helped me to place the orders on the computer, they do this all the time so it was easy for them and when I did a breakdown we would just have enough to fill the orders. I sat back and like Sabine I was bursting with pride for my man, he had taken to the wine again. I wanted to tell him to enjoy the moment because it may never happen again on this grand scale, but he was insistent they all celebrate. I also noticed a bottle of clear liquid on my kitchen bench with an I love you card from the boys, the I was scratched out, and a we was placed there.

I smiled at them and I was also very proud to have them as brothers.

Gianni was put to bed and the boys were half naked before I came in,

"Antonio, let's have some fun."

I looked at my adorable man and said.

"Not tonight boys I only want to cuddle him."

"You are no fun, Antonio."

"Well take some pictures of yourselves for a change."

I could hear them snapping away as I pulled Gianni into me he was sleeping soundly and from over his shoulder, I had a bird's eye view of my boys.

I gave him some Panadol in the morning and got a fresh shirt out for him to wear, he won't have a fake smile on his face today you can be sure of that because he had a skin full last night. I got to be the man again as I drove the car, but first Lukas had to be dropped off. I don't know how Alice feels about this but gran is the better option because the ladies in my shop can't have him all day.

Today he got all the small hotel bottle shop orders, they amounted to two containers and we were told that the write-up in the city papers was very good so he should expect plenty more to come. The next day we got six containers to go to Kowloon for a casino chain.

It was hellish and exciting at the same time Gianni had placed a big order at the winery he won't be caught short again, and he will end up with a steady stream of clients. He was on the phone for half an hour to Tinker in Italy then he had to ring Ramone, who talked to him for an hour. He had also sent off five new recipes to be made one of which will be a cheap plonk he can't always be relabelling the Cartasso brand, people like iris will know.

The Combi and all the event gear were taken back to the warehouse for storage. I will sell it because we won't have the time to start up another business, we have too much to do as it is.

A bonus was given to our staff and the boys were chuffed for us because we did so well, they also did well but not as good as we did, Gianni's wines have landed with a bang.

The shop got busy after the write-up on the wine exhibition and Nina sent some of her girls in to help, Gianni's stock was cleaned out in one day, the good thing was people also bought the Cartasso wines. His coffers were bulging and his head was spinning. We picked up our munchkin who was adorable in his new clothes gran had bought and very talkative, did I hear a couple of Italian words today?

When we got in I closed the blinds and locked every door and we played with him on the floor, then the sofa because he all of a sudden decided he loves cartoons, poor grandad.

I lay on the sofa with Gianni in my arms and was lightly kissing him.

"This would never have happened if it wasn't for you Antonio."

"It's all your work Gianni, all your recipes, all your ideas. I just dressed a Combi van."

`No you did much more than that, Luca was right you would be good for me, you got me out of the winery and into another world completely. You make me happy Antonio, like never before. I wasn't happy only when Lukas came along then I was happy, and when you came, I was the happiest."

"Well, it's so easy to love you Gianni, after all, you are a man." I kissed him again.

"Antonio, can you sit on me I am too tired to do it any other way." I did and he was very grateful because he didn't have to do a thing, and yes he is the man. While I warmed up some of grans food I looked on the computer again and according to it he has sold nearly seven hundred thousand dollars cost worth of wine, which equates to a lot of money according to his real wholesale prices, millions.

"Have you got any idea how much money that fair generated for you?"

"Yes Antonio, I went to college you know. What do you want me to buy you?"

"Nothing baby just put it in the bank and save it for a rainy day."

"I must do something for you, I haven't bought you a wedding present yet." He smiled all dreamy-eyed because he was still on a high from our lovemaking.

"You can buy me a new suit for our wedding then."

"I will do that anyways don't you want anything else?"

"No Thank you."

"You are like me, you don't spend any money but you like making it."

"I guess we are the same as far as that goes. I don't need anything baby just you and Lukas."

"Not our brothers?"

"Not even our brothers I don't like the way they make love."

"You saw them?"

"Yes, the other night they are a bit rough."

"Yes, they are I must talk to them about it."

"Did you talk to Nina by the way?"

"Yes Antonio, we will have three staff members to do the orders and deliveries by tomorrow, we must go into the warehouse and meet them."

"That quick?"

"She has many boys and girls on her books, Antonio." Nina would make a great madam I thought.

I went back to the sofa and sat on the edge then I watched Lukas's cartoon for him, he had gone to sleep, and I ran my hand up and down Gianni's body it was all lumps and bumps but I didn't care they were all in the correct place.

The boys were eventually let in and they moaned because they didn't have anything to do. I told them they should be concentrating on the market.

"We don't know where to start Antonio."

"There's a pad on the table with some notes on it, start there. I have written down some ideas for you."

"Antonio, you are so good for us," Leon said.

"That's what all the men say." I smiled at Gianni, who I might add was splayed on the sofa in the nudo still.

He went to shower and I picked up our suits they will go to the cleaners when I get time. I sat with the boys who were trying to work out what I had written.

"Okay firstly friends and family, Gino doesn't get a new stall because he can't get his forklift truck into the market so he is better off staying where he is but we can extend him some more room. The tables and chairs in the middle have to be cleaned up, no more stealing market space so we put in twelve more stalls. The outside of the building has to be left alone but restored and made into a feature. The wrought ironwork is amazing but in need of a good clean.

There is wasted space over where the toilet block is so we put in auto toilets over here." I indicated on my hand-drawn map where they should go.

"That sounds easy Antonio."

"Now for the jewel in the crown. Look at the carpark along the side street, it's never used because it's hard to get into and out of. Twenty-four apartments will fill that space just nicely and they will overlook the market which would be awesome for the new owners. We have to talk to Stavros about a subdivision." The room was silent and when I looked up two gorgeous men had their mouths open to the max.

"What's up boys, too much?"

"No Antonio."

"Think big or go home I always say." I grinned at them.

"When are you going to start on them, Antonio?"

"I'm not, you are, these flats should cover the cost of the market, and if they don't then you will build thirty-six, or as many as you can to cover all costs. Boys, you will get your investment back within a year."

"What are we doing Antonio, downstairs or balcony?" A freshly showered and dressed Italian hunk walked out of the bedroom.

"Downstairs I want to talk to Gino for a bit baby."

"No head jobs do you hear me?"

"No baby, I have retired from doing them."

He grabbed wine while the boys were still trying to catch up with my ideas.

"We will see you down there then." I grinned at them and grabbed my kid and left with my man.

He was there all by himself and it was the golden opportunity to say a few words to him.

"Gino do you want to move your stalls?"

"I have been thinking Ant, I am well set up where I am but could do with a little more room maybe move the mobile man in your old spot."

"Okay my thoughts exactly, your parking spot is ideal for you and I doubt whether you will get your bins into the center of the market so I will tell the boys to move the phone man."

"Thanks, Ant, I am happy now I was worried you will force me to shift."

"No, you are family you get what you want.

'Except a head job." Gianni whispered in my ear.

Alice sauntered down with her wine and glass and Gino went to get her a chair.

"How did it all go boys?"

"Excellent we blitzed it, Gianni wines are hitting the market as of tomorrow."

"That's good boys, when do I get my baby back?"

"Tomorrow Alice and thank you for not making a big deal out of it," I said.

"No problem we were busy anyway he would have been bored."

"He's discovered cartoons maybe I will buy a small TV so he can sit and watch at work."

"Good idea Antonio, ruin his eyesight completely before he turns two." She laughed, I know she didn't mean it but couldn't miss the opportunity to have a dig at me.

"Stavros is very proud of you Gianni, he heard what happened and is spruiking your wines to everyone."

"He probably wants a cut." Gianni laughed.

"He will probably up your rent."

"No chance of that happening Antonio, I have a contract."

"Really when was that drawn up?"

"It wasn't Antonio, handshake and unbreakable." I knew what he meant Stavros wouldn't dare break that contract.

The boys arrived and I told them that Gino will expand but not move, I don't think they knew what I was talking about but they nodded.

I heard bubs wake up but weren't quick enough Alice rushed to get him and did I see tears in her eyes when she bought him out? I did see more when he fell sideways and wanted his daddy to hold him, maybe he has placed Alice in the naughty corner for not having him all week.

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