Impossible Love

Impossible Love 53

Maxieplus

I arrived at the club and was met by a whole lot of familiar faces, Gianni was involved in a card game with Stavros and Grandad and gran had Lukas at our usual table, the boys and Matteo were there but not Gino and Anna, the baby I was told is restless again.

"Did you do much business Antonio?" Leon said.

"Yes Leon very informative business, I will get to you later."

"Are you all right Antonio?"

"Yes my Carlos pour me a drink will you?"

"Coming up Antonio." Matteo was staring at me and when I looked at him he smiled so I smiled back.

"What time is your flight?"

"Midnight Antonio, it will be good to get back."

"Your mama and papa will be happy."

"They will."

I couldn't say anything about what I had learned but I will talk to the boys about the rumor they are spreading about the Mafia. I was sure it was them playing James Bond with Matteo's imagination that's why he's gone cool on everyone, especially the boys.

"Antonio I want to thank you for having me here, it's been good to meet you all." Matteo moved to my side.

"It's been a pleasure to host you Matteo and you know you're always welcome here."

"I wanted to talk to you more but time has gone by now, maybe when you visit me in Italy."

"Yes we will talk Matteo about lots of things, maybe we will talk more about Impossible Love, and how when you least expect it, it happens."

"I would very much like to talk about that with you."

"Sometimes it's hard to sort out the impossible from the possible, you have to look wider for your love and between you and me you have to work hard for it also, it just doesn't happen overnight."

"I know Antonio, I will go and see my lost love and have a talk with him."

"Don't do that Matteo there was a reason you broke up with him, wait and see what turns up you never know there's maybe someone in your village that's has loved you from afar."

"Not in my village Antonio, maybe among the seasonal workers there will be someone."

"Maybe." I smiled and I will talk to Roberto next, then Menowin, I will find Matteo a boyfriend if it's the last thing I do.

Gianni kissed me then Lukas when he came back with his stack of matches, grandad didn't look too happy and Stavros was glaring at me I think he wants to do business. I laughed to myself because he will probably have some Ponzi scheme afoot. When Matteo went to get some food I glared at the boys.

"Now boys let's talk Mafia." They cringed at the word.

"A little sparrow was telling me you have been telling everyone that your family is Mafia, is it to extort money, or is it a big joke?"

"Are you talking about us Antonio?" Leon said.

"Yes, specifically you Leon."

"We don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes you do, you have been scaring people at the market with your stories, so drop it. There is no Mafia in our family there hasn't been for decades."

"We are sorry Antonio, we were just having some fun with some people that's all." Carlos fawned.

"Well you have to stop it because people believe you, and it reflects badly on your good name."

"Okay Antonio we will stop."

"Good, now has everyone eaten?"

"No Antonio we were waiting for you.'

"Gianni let's eat I'm starving."

The boys knew they had done the wrong thing that's why they were being quiet. Leon told me after Matteo had left the country they were jealous of him and wanted to scare him away. I continue to this day roll my eyes at their reasoning.

Gran gave Lukas some food and then she ate, I had finished and grandad wanted to talk.

"Everyone wants to do business with you Antonio, it's been very hard to keep them away."

"You shouldn't have opened your big mouth to them."

"Have some respect for your grandfather Antonio." Matteo said chuckling his head off.

"Yes grandfather, what is it now?" I put my business face on.

"Stavros has a very nice piece of real estate he wants to offload grandson. I think it would be in your interest to listen to him."

"I will talk to him after I have another vino." He quickly poured me one. I think grandad and Stavros both have a property they want to offload and he's just buttering me up.

"This money is going to be a curse Gianni, I wish I didn't have it."

"We think you will make a lot of good investments with it Antonio, but use the ready cash, not the family money it's tainted with Mafia blood." He laughed and I got the feeling he doesn't believe that at all, but I had other thoughts on that subject, I must do some research one day.

My meeting with Stavros turned out to be three shops in the high street of Prahran. He, or they, had owned them for years and only wanted half a mil for the three of them. They were rundown and in need of tenants, they were also in a not so popular end of the street, it would be hard to rent them out.

I have said it before and will say it again it's nearly time for a big real estate surge. Melbourne's been in a slump for far too long and I was amazed that grandad and Stavros hadn't realized that little important fact.

I told Stavros I will go and have a look. I knew the shops, they were nearly down our end of the street but I hadn't taken much notice of them. I suspect he's been trying to offload them for years. It costs him money to keep them standing empty. While I was there Nina was hopping up and down trying to get my attention. I finally got to sit with her she told me the Melbourne council wanted their flower pot displays done. They were dotted all over the city center and held continuously flowering plants. I told her I didn't know much about plants she told me they were changed when the flowers stopped blooming, it brightens the city up.

"Antonio, all you have to do is buy the plants and while they are lighting up the city you grow your own for the next season. The council has been doing it for years, but now they are dropping it and want you to think about taking it over. There will be two thousand pots every four months. I have the men, and you need to buy a plot of land to hold them."

"What about the three shops on high street nearly opposite our building, we can look at the back yards and if there's room, we can run it from there."

"Yes I know them, keep the old facades and demolish the back you will have plenty of room they are grown in pots, not in the ground. As long as there's sunlight they will be fine."

"A half a mil for the four shops, but I suspect they are on the one title."

"The contract is worth almost two million a year from the council."

"Stavros!!!" I jumped up. I fished in my pocket because Nina had her hand out and she also had a hold of my jacket she wasn't going to let me go. I gave her a hundred she frowned.

"I will give you the rest tomorrow baby I don't have the cash at the moment."

"Please ask Gianni." My god what a terrible lady she is. I giggled as I sat with Stavros again.

"I will take them for four-fifty, send over the contract when you're ready."

"Don't you want to see them first Antonio?"

"No shake on it Stavros and our contract will be sealed."

We shook hands and he looked sideways at me.

"They are in bad disrepair Antonio."

"I know I only want the land. I have landed a contract with the city council a couple of million a year to be exact, so I only want the land." The sweat poured from his forehead and I told grandad to get his friend a glass of water he was about to faint.

"Did you get it all done Antonio?" Gianni asked.

"Yes baby, we now own a market garden sort of, can I borrow four hundred if you have it?"

"Yes Antonio, I will cash my matches in." he beamed.

"Get another bottle of vino baby, we are celebrating." I looked over at Stavros's table and grandad was glaring at me, I shrugged my shoulders he must be so proud.

I was almost carried home and put to bed I could hear the boys laughing on the veranda and wondered if Matteo will join in on their fun when I go to sleep.

Five heads in bed this morning it was good to have him back again it was even better when he kissed me good morning. I didn't linger I went to attend to Lukas then I looked at Leon's phone for any disturbing photos. I wanted to look at Matteo's body also.

No photos so I was safe this time, I suppose Gianni didn't want to involve Matteo and he does suspect something anyway. I felt well after I took a couple of pills and Lukas wanted to play with me today, that was until Gianni came out and turned the TV on, then he wanted his cartoons.

I kissed him deeply, I didn't care about my breath I wanted him.

"Did you sleep well my lovely?"

"You know I did baby, we can talk later I have things to discuss with you."

"I know, and yes we will talk, do you still love me?"

"I don't love you Gianni, I adore you." I kissed him again and smiled.

"Good, so I am still the man of the house then?"

"Yes, you certainly are the man of the house." I tweaked his nipple.

"When we shower Antonio?"

"I will bend over for you." He groaned deeply.

I made him a coffee then I made Matteo one, he had been watching us from the bedroom doorway. I wanted to affirm to him that I loved Gianni forever and he must move on for his own mental health's sake.

Leon and Carlos came out semi nudo they had new jockstraps on today and looked mighty fine to me. I made some scrambled eggs for Lukas, and Gianni fed him on the sofa. Then I started breakfast, I wanted to get to the café early today, and I so wanted to talk to Roberto, he may be able to help in my quest to find Matteo a partner who will love him. I felt sorry for him and I haven't even found the time to talk to Gianni about it, maybe we will go and sit in the florist shop to discuss it.

We opened the café and soon enough we got busy with takeaway coffees, it was the perfect time for us and Matteo hadn't come in he was going to chill out a home for the day.

"Come with me." I took Gianni's hand and walked him into the back of my florist shop.

"Now what do you know and what do you want to know?"

"Have you worked out why he's going?"

"Yes, he's falling in love with me." I was being honest and direct.

"Okay, we can't have that now can we."

"No baby, he only thinks he loves me but he's just so bloody lonely, seeing us together warms his heart but he's still lonely and wants what we have."

"I get it Antonio, I wish I could help him but I don't know any single gays, he has to go and find them."

"I don't think he's capable of that, at Elio's place all he wanted to talk about was me and the Cartasso family's ties to the Mafia, he wasn't interested in bedding Elio."

"What are you saying Antonio, we are the mafia?"

"No but the boys told him we were and he got worried."

"I will kill them they play dangerously."

"I have already scolded them, remember last night at the table?"

"Yes."

"Now I have bought those old shops off Stavros and grandad, I have got a big contract from the Melbourne city council to do their plant displays. Do you want to go me halves?"

"Yes If I can Antonio how much will it cost us?"

"Four fifty."

"That's cheap."

"Yes but don't tell grandad." I laughed.

"What are we going to do about Matteo I feel bad he is going home."

"He's happy to go, and he wants to concentrate on his vines maybe the Cartasso winery will buy off him when the grapes are ready. Also, we might consider involving Roberto again, maybe he will know someone in the area that's looking for a solid boyfriend." He smiled then leaned in to kiss me.

"I will talk to Menowin about it, is that okay?"

" Of course, he hires pickers when the season is busy maybe he can slot one or two young men that will help him with his growing problem." I winked then touched his dick through his shorts.

"Not in front of the baby thank you," Alice said.

She had just walked in to change Lukas, we both blushed.

"Just having a corporate meeting Alice we won't be long,"

"Yes it looks like it, long that is." She laughed.

"Okay so we buy the shops in both names, don't worry you will get half of the business profits I will work out the logistics with grandad."

"I don't want them Antonio keep it all for yourself."

"I will work on it with grandad, now please do not argue with me."

"Okay Antonio." He kissed me again.

"Can I go now?"

"Sure baby, go make us some money." I let him go.

"I hear you have a big contract to fill Antonio?" I threw my arms in the air and walked out, I heard Alice chuckling.

The café was a little busy today and the boys helped Gianni with his wines, I think they feel a little guilty for what they did. I got on the shop computer and composed a letter to Roberto, just telling him what had happened and what I would like him to do for us. I bought him up to date and again invited him and Adamo over for a holiday.

I filled the cakes up then I went to hand Stavros a big cash deposit on the shops. I borrowed from Gianni's stash and will return the money when I get mine back from grandad. Sabine was happily serving some customers then she told me after lunch she was going to our place to spend some time with Matteo. She wasn't surprised he wanted to go home, he's much the same as Gianni he likes it in his little vineyard and misses it.

The men from the party were in again and looking for Matteo, I told them he had business to attend to they weren't happy he never turned up to the party, I wasn't surprised. I guessed he made up the story so we wouldn't think he wimped out. They ordered wine then started talking about going back to Sydney, they would be leaving in a few days.

By the time Matteo left I had recovered my cash from grandad's safe, heard from Roberto and I generally felt bad about his going home. We said our goodbyes at the airport and I got a special hug from him, Gianni wasn't unhappy about it because he knew what was going on. He was also sad he had to go but happy they had met up for the time they had. Sabine cried and promised she will come and meet his parents when she's next in Italy which I think will be sooner than we thought. She announced that she and Tony were going to spend some time with Ramone and Alessio and they would be finalizing the divorce while they are there.

The boys debated whether to go with her or not but in the end, they couldn't leave us here on our own, and Sabine discouraged them from going with her. I think she wants time alone with Tony.

Gianni was sad for a few days and he admitted to me he missed Adamo more than Matteo. I think I will try harder with Roberto even though he said his business kept him tied down a lot.

The week after Matteo left I met with the City council and they were more than happy to give me the contract, they also had a few thousand pots to get rid of so I took them with some fertilizer, I also had a map of where the displays were. I took a day with Lukas and Gianni and went to look at what was required, it looked easy enough.

I had to rent the land off Stavros and Grandad because the title hadn't gone through and I wanted to get started on some renovations. There was a lot of land behind the shops so we didn't have to pull them down. With Nina's help, I ended up with two full-time nursery workers and a stack of casuals I will use to replace or repot the current pots that were out there. It will work and we even sourced out six golf buggies with trailers that will be used to get around the city. Pietro will use his trucks to drop a man and plants with a buggy in strategic spots in the city then he will pick them up at the end of the day. I know I'm not explaining it well but it will work, it does work. After two weeks of trial and error, everything settled down and was running like a well-greased engine.

Just before they left Sabine gave me another photo, the boys had been born and would stay with their mum for two months then she will hand them over. Please don't think this is a very callous way to get children because from what we were told the girl was pleased to do it, and she was compensated with quite a lot of money. We were also told, like Lukas she didn't want any involvement in their lives. The photo was of them in their cribs they were adorable and already sporting thick black hair.

Sabine and Tony had left for Italy not long after Matteo left. They were holidaying with Ramone and Alessio first who I heard was surfing on his own now. They have managed to get Roberto and Adamo for a week while they finalized the divorce, she said Ramone was very generous and had split the events side of the business between Carlos and Leon. He had wanted out completely.

They will share the family homes and he kept his shares in the Cartasso winery.

I had an opportunity when Gianni was doing a small wine event to talk to gran and grandad, I will tell them about the boys because I needed their input.

When gran came to clean the apartment she cooked breakfast and fed Lukas who wouldn't sit still. Gianni left for the event he was doing, it was just a small one and I told him I would be there after lunch, I had important work to do. He left with the boys because they were doing the Cartasso side of it also.

"Gran I need to talk to you about something very important."

"Yes son sit with me I'll make us some coffee."

"Thank you. Gran I have a bit of a surprise for you I have known about it for a few weeks now but it's got to the stage where I have to involve you."

"This sounds very interesting Antonio, biscuit?" She placed a tray on the table and I naturally took two then gave one to Lukas, I think grandad has fallen asleep and Lukas had waddled over to my side because he knew, grandma means biscuits.

"Gran as you know Gianni's son will appear within the next few months or so and I will need a hand."

"I am prepared for his arrival son, I will be on call whenever you want me, the little one will need his gran."

"Well this is my dilemma gran there's not just one baby."

"What are you talking about Antonio, what do you mean?"

"There's three coming."

"What!?"

"There's three of them gran, identical triplets."

"My god Antonio if you are joking with me it is not funny."

"Gran I'm not joking see." I handed the updated picture of the babies to her. She was on the verge of fainting when I grabbed her hands to steady her and to get her to settle down.

"What are we going to do we will have to get a nanny of course and more bedding and clothes a bigger house some bottles so many bottles."

"I have that under control, one day we will go over to the shops and I can show you what I have already stored there, I need to know I have enough and gran Gianni doesn't know it's a surprise for him, please don't repeat any of this."

"What do you think I am the town gossip?" She placed the photo against her empty cup so she can look at it.

"No gran I trust you it's grandad that seems to shoot his mouth off."

"We don't tell him." She grinned.

"Antonio, you will have to tell Nina she will find a trustworthy housekeeper and nanny, she will know someone." The tears arrived again the Italian was coming fast and strong. All I heard was "Bambinos" "Amore" and a few English words such as "Love" and "Celebrations" and "Bottles"

"When are you going to tell him?"

"When they arrive here he's always trying to confuse me by holding back information so this time it's my turn to shock him." I grinned.

"He will have a heart attack." Then she raved on again.

I sat and had another biscuit and sipped my coffee while she settled down she looked at the photo several times and even kissed it.

"I will move in Antonio, I can't let my great-grandchildren have strangers looking after them."

"Gran, there's no need for that you have a life also, and it will tie you down."

"Do you think I am not capable?"

"No gran you are more than capable, you have grandad to look after and your own home and garden."

"I will move in for the first couple of months just to settle them in, I will talk to your grandfather he must know and I will seal his mouth, but Antonio you are disrespecting your husband by keeping this secret from him." She smiled and sat back.

"I want to get him back for all the silly things he has done to me in the past."

"That is not the way I see it, it's disrespectful to keep this joyful news to yourself. He has to be on this journey with you, he has to be involved with his sons right from the start he won't thank you for shutting him out."

She placed her hand on her heart and sighed.

"Who else knows Antonio?"

"Only Sabine and of course Menowin."

"We need to get Nina involved, I will sit with you while you interview the ladies."

"Or gents." I laughed.

She was all over the place and when she calmed down I took her across the road and we made a list of what I had bought and she added to it the items I will need to get. It niggled at the back of my neck and she was right I can't keep this from Gianni it was too big a secret so when we got back I took a photo of the photo and smiled at gran.

"Let's have some fun."

"You will do no such thing to your beautiful husband Antonio, tell him the truth."

"Aww gran your no fun anymore." She slapped me then she picked Lukas up and started showing him his brothers while I sent the photo to my gorgeous husband.

I didn't receive an answer so I told gran I had to go and meet him anyway, he may have got busy but he hadn't sold much the first day. The event was at a big Expo building, not just wines but all sorts of new drinks and food along with refrigeration, cellar storage the whole box and dice.

I grabbed the train this time because it was only three stops away and while I sat calmly looking at the photo I got a message. When I opened it there was another photo, but it wasn't mine it was a close-up of all three of them. `Bastards' I cursed, and talked loudly to myself all the way to my final stop, I'm sure people thought I was a crazy person. I walked to the expo pavilion and entered with my day pass. There they were all three of them, all smiles for miles holding up a big placard that said.

"Congratulations daddy." There was a picture of the babies printed on it. I screamed at him.

"Gianni Cartasso I am going to kill you, I am this time believe me." I started running towards them and I was furious with him and Menowin. It was sixty seconds later when I was unceremoniously dumped on the pavement outside by two burly security guards warning me not to come back or they will have me arrested for inciting a riot. I was so mad I couldn't care less what they were saying I called them all the maggots in the world and they chased me down to the railway station where thankfully the train was just pulling in.

I alighted at the market station and made my way to the café, I wanted to burn it down I was so fucking demented by this time. I ignored the staff and went to the wine cabinet and took the most expensive bottle out, then I sat out the back and started drinking it. The staff know my moods and figured Gianni has something to do with it, so they left me alone. My phone was ringing off the hook I turned it off but I had also calmed down just a little.

The first bottle went down a treat, and when I went to get the next one I could see Gianni coming through the walkway so I grabbed it and headed out the back. Then I high-tailed it to the park where I sat behind a tree and cried, they couldn't even let me have this one, I was so happy for him and now I hated him so much.

I drank the whole bottle and after many arguments with myself I stood to take a piss then I grabbed the empty bottle and headed up the street. In the distance I could see them sitting on the building steps, my coordination wasn't the best and I did stagger up the road but in my head, I was doing a great job of walking upright.

I didn't get the welcome I expected, it was dead quiet when I stopped and looked at them all. I saw Gianni's bottle of wine and picked it up and replaced it with my empty one. I skulled most of it then said.

"You three think you are so fucking smart. I applaud you for what you just did to me and I will never, ever forgive you, and please don't disturb me tonight or any other fucking night I am not in. I am not in for your smart assed jokes your whining and your inability to see the world in an adult fashion." I skulled more wine then I swayed and looked at Alice and Anna.

"Goodnight ladies, I have a date with an old true friend, so I won't be available to celebrate Gianni's good fortune and smart assed comments." I staggered off to get the lift, if they said anything I didn't hear it. I went upstairs leaving the empty bottle in the lovely new lift. I opened another one and went to sit on my walkway to talk to the only friend in the world that doesn't use me up, Luca.

I didn't need a glass tonight it was bottle to mouth and I was in control. I sat calmly with my arms over the rail and talked to my friend.

I woke up in bed alone and was confused for a moment until I remembered last night's fiasco. I rolled over and smelt Gianni's pillow for a moment it turned me off, yes I was still mad even in my hungover state. I threw the blanket back and went to the bathroom where I downed two headache pills then I splashed my face and went to find coffee. The boys were sitting at the table Gianni was trying to make breakfast for them. I picked up the empty coffee maker and shook it.

"Couldn't even leave me a cup, proves my point, selfish bastards." I put it on again and went to sit on the balcony. I didn't even greet my son and I ached to feel different but it just wasn't happening. Carlos came out, they are sending in the weakest one first.

"We are sorry Antonio, I told them not to do it you would get mad but they thought it was too funny to miss. I am sorry my friend I know you hurt and you didn't deserve all that."

"Thank you Carlos. I am not blaming you at all, I know you love me and would never hurt me like that. So ease your conscience and thank you." I went back and made the coffee then I dumped the rest of it down the drain they can make more if they want it.

I still hadn't looked at Gianni but I knew he held onto Lukas maybe for protection maybe he genuinely wanted to hold him I don't know.

"Antonio?" He said. I turned and sipped on my coffee then replied.

"What?"

"I'm sorry Antonio, I really am sorry I didn't mean to hurt you. I just wanted to have some fun with you."

"That's okay Gianni, I like some fun too you all didn't do anything wrong. I am the bad one because I got in a bad mood and I am sorry." I drank the rest of my coffee and went to shower, I then dressed and left for the day. I had some adult stuff to do.

I walked across and up the road a bit and sat on a park bench, I felt responsible for the chaos in my life and I knew I could forgive them but at the moment I just wanted to be on my own. My problem now is to try and calm down and forget it ever happened, but I know I will never trust them again and if they want to play their games I will go along with it but they have to suffer the consequences.

I sat for an hour then walked to work, Gianni will be dismantling the display today, and I can't be sitting around doing nothing. Believe it or not, I have gotten so used to having people around me I sort of miss the company and chaos when it's not available.

They were at the café when I arrived I went to change into a tank top and shorts then said my good mornings to everyone and started filling cakes, getting rid of box's and rubbish, then I stood at the coffee machine with Ted, he was telling me he will get his school results soon and he was very nervous about it. I tried to lift his spirits and all the time Gianni was staring at me from his counter. I looked at the computer when I had arrived and he had only sold ten crates of the cheaper wine so we won't be doing that event next year that's for sure. I noticed he had unpacked his van and left the wine in the back room, I almost fell over it when I put the rubbish out. I will leave it there it's not my mess.

There was an email from Roberto telling me that Matteo and his traveling partner to Ireland had met up again. He had been informed that the traveling partner was gay and was interested in Matteo but was too shy to say anything. I thought we had better give them a nudge, then I thought fuck it, I'm over it.

"Antonio?" I heard a gentle voice behind me.

"Yes Gianni?"

"I am sorry I am, please talk to me again."

"I'm talking to you now aren't I baby, it's okay I get it, it's not your fault it's mine."

"No it's my fault I was just so very happy for us that's all."

"How did you find out?"

"Menowin told Adamo but forgot to tell him it was a secret, so Adamo went to the hospital and took some photos for us."

"Well, we can't blame anyone then it's all over let's just leave it."

I grabbed an expensive wine because I had to get rid of the hangover that was dogging me then I sat out the front I didn't want to sit with the boys out the back I wanted to be left alone. While I got myself an ice bucket he said we had to go and talk to Nina about housekeepers. I told him to do it I trusted his judgment and I gave him grans shopping list he can do that also.

What I'm doing is pushing his sons and him out of my life and I couldn't stop it knowing I didn't want to do it if that makes any sense.

"Antonio, we both have to talk to her please."

"No you want me to talk to her then you want me to tell you what's happening. I think it's time you started organizing your life a little better baby, just let me know what you want me to do."

I walked out the front and started sipping on my very expensive wine, I deserve a treat after all I don't get paid for working in the café.

I was left alone for the next two hours but I didn't drink the whole bottle I discovered it was too sickly yesterday and I don't know why I opened it because I much preferred the cheaper plonk. I watched Gianni go upstairs to see Nina and then I called Ted over.

"Ted you said you had six brothers and sisters are they all out of school now?"

"Yes Antonio, I am the last, the youngest my mama is at a loose end until her grandchildren start to arrive.'

"Does she work?"

"Yes Antonio she has a good job making flower arrangements at your business." He laughed, I smiled I didn't know that, so I will scratch her off my list.

I had two wines and when Gianni came back he sat and had one with me.

"What did she say baby?"

"She said to leave it up to her she will put the word out, there's so much to do."

"Give me the list." I held my hand out and he passed it over.

"Okay, I will be back." I left him there and went shopping.

Donations always gratefully accepted at Nifty, thank you.