Impossible Love 9
I went to find them and they were being almost mobbed, pushing my way through I sat on Leon's lap and Carlos leaned over and kissed me again, he's so good at that shit. When the audience realized they weren't interested they tapered off, except Cal who looked very unhappy as he walked back to his fake mates. Carlos got up and took my hand, then stepping around a guy he and Leon again walked me onto the dance floor, we danced, drank, danced drank, drank, drank, and eventually I was escorted out of the building and almost carried home. Thank god I had given Alice a key in anticipation, so she could open the shop when she got there, I needed sleep.
After having a nightcap the boys stripped me and put me to bed, then jumped in naked with me. I didn't care, I loved them both and to be honest I loved their bodies next to me, I am so sick of sleeping alone, so I nodded off with my left hand stroking Carlos's behind.
They were gone in the morning and I don't know how the hell they do it, but I doubt they ever get a hangover. I did unfortunately, and it took me quite a while to get my head straight. I ran to work again but a little slower, Alice was smiling when I got there and the shop was set up.
"Did you have a lovely night?"
"Yes my friend, the boys made my night a very special and memorable one."
"Go and get a coffee, we haven't been busy, but the market hasn't filled up yet."
I slogged through the day and when I locked up and started running home, I thought I had better get back to doing my exercising so I decided no drinking at all tonight.
I closed my front door and made more coffee then I pulled out the paperwork, and on the computer I started making a plan of attack. I started with the lady's list, just the seven will do. There was a knock on the door around six-thirty and I answered it, two bottles were held up but I said not tonight, I have work to do. They both kissed me deeply on the lips, so I went to get the glasses.
I didn't drink too much because I counted them and took small sips, but they kept my glass topped up, yet surprisingly with every sip I felt better. Carlos was leaving in a few days because he had to get back home for something or other, I didn't quite hear what the reason was but I will miss him. Leon was staying because he had a few loose ends to fix, and he had to be here for the big night.
I will miss Carlos, he's a lot of fun when he loosens up, and when he moved to sit next to me he whispered,
"I will miss you the most Antonio, but when this is all over please come to my home in Italy for a big rest, I promise you that you won't get bored." He winked.
"I will try Carlos, but I have a business to run."
"Hire one of the florist ladies to run it for you for a couple of weeks or months, I know Luca will be pleased to see you."
"I will think about it Carlos, and I will miss you very, very much."
"I will be back but not until before the racing carnival, it's big business for us, we are having a corporate tent this year and of course we will need your blooms." I looked at him and asked,
"Really?" "Yes Antonio, you are a part of our family, and of course you get that contract from us."
"Thank you, I am so grateful to you all for the opportunity." "That is our pleasure Antonio, we have also negotiated to re-sell your blooms from the BMW night, they will stay there for the next night which is a big wedding I believe, at half price." He winked.
"No!"
"Yes, they will still be in perfect condition, it would be a shame if they are thrown out but unfortunately they will be after the wedding, you will have to spend some time checking they are still perfect. We have to send photographs to the wedding planner beforehand, so could you do two samples, one large, one small to be photographed maybe later next week?"
"Sure I can, I will know after Tuesday what flowers will be available and I can get some from my wholesaler, yes by Thursday I will have them ready Carlos."
"Good, you can let Leon know when you're ready to go so he can photograph them." He grinned. These guys blow me away every time I am near them, and I will miss Carlos, we always fall in love with the impossible, and he was just that.
I went home around eight-thirty as I wanted to work more on my plan of attack. I will be busy next week but the money is going to be awesome, so as soon as another flat becomes available I am buying it.
I had worked out my plan and I grabbed my bundle of cash and started putting it into envelopes to pay staff, my grandfather's and Nina's I put separately. I think we are going to the Italian club Saturday night so I will slip it in his pocket when I'm there, I placed a thousand dollars in his envelope.
I turned the lights out and noticed a glow coming from next door, so when opening the sliding door I noticed two guys sitting on the fire escape, I won't join them but I did overhear.
"He's that bad he doesn't even want to go off the property, I am so worried about him." It was Leon talking.
"Let us wait and see, I will let you know when I get there." That got my attention so I grabbed a bottle and moved to sit next to them. They were just unwinding for the night before they jumped into bed so it won't be a late one.
"I am sorry but I heard some of your private conversation, is it Luca that won't leave the property?" Carlos looked at me then replied,
"Yes Antonio, we didn't know whether to tell you or not, but I wouldn't expect Luca to come back to Australia anytime soon. He freaked out when my parents took him to Roma for a small holiday, he only lasted two days then caught the train back home. His doctors have put him on different medicines but it makes him very drowsy, we are frightened for his life and that's why I am going home." That brick in my stomach just grew to twice its size and I let the tears flow. I knew deep down I wouldn't see my Luca again, and if I did I don't think he would stay here long. I wept a little for my loss and I wept because there was nothing I could do, the burden was too heavy. I didn't blame the boys for not telling me and as I finally sat in silence and sipped my drink I came to the realization we would never be together again. I will be all alone and I must accept that. It was a big romance that never really got off the ground for me because we hadn't slept together and held each other in our arms all night, that impossible love was slipping away from my grasp.
Leon put his arm around me and kissed my cheek then he wiped my eyes and kissed them. I stared out into the night feeling like I was the only person on the planet that felt grief at the depth I was feeling it.
"Come on Antonio, time for bed, we will sleep with you tonight." Carlos stood up and held his hand out. I took it and stumbled back into my apartment. I chucked all my clothes off and when I crawled into bed they were both standing there looking at me.
"Get in," I said. When they had taken almost all their clothes off and stood before me naked, I drowned in their beautiful bodies and their bright blue eyes, they got in beside me and I was pressed into Leon's chest, it molded to me and Carlos was against my back placing me into a safe place. My tears had stopped but that knot kept throbbing away like it was meant to do, you should know that I slept very well.
Nothing much was said when we had our coffee, except they talked about keeping family safe and ensuring they had everything they needed. I understood and those cuddles last night were desperately needed by me. I didn't dwell on the rights and wrongs, I was more focused on these two gods that wanted to hold me all night and I knew they were trying to distract me and I also know now that Luca and I will never be one.
I was distracted throughout the day and threw many boners thinking about my men. I suppose I was walking around like a zombie but after last night I felt good, really good. The pressure I had built up with hopes that Luca was coming back, and keeping myself nice had been released and I knew I must go on and live my life. The impossible love I had for Luca was real, and it was an impossible love.
Carlos waved us goodbye at the airport and Leon shed a few tears also as we sat and had coffee before our long trip back home.
"I will miss him so much," Leon said.
"You will see him again soon Leon, please don't be sad and you can jump in with me anytime you want." It wasn't an invitation to have sex behind Carlos' back, we are brothers and someone holding you in the night is a wonderful comfort.
"I have been in love with him for so long it always hurts when he leaves me." "He's your brother Leon, he loves you no matter what."
"I don't like what we sometimes do to secure contracts, I understand but I still don't like it."
"Move here to Australia and start your own business, legit like. No smooching with clients to get work."
"If only we could Antonio, but our parents demand so much of us, but Carlos did say we will discuss it when he returns."
"So you have already been thinking about it?'
"Yes Antonio, we talk all the time about settling down to a normal life, this international traveling really gets to me and Carlos knows I will crash someday, or he will, or maybe he will lose each other forever."
"I can relate to that, but you are your own person and in the end your parents will find others to do your jobs."
"Yes, we have plenty of families that can do it, maybe we can work from Australia, we have found many friends here we love." He was thinking about it at least and I know how he was feeling. I hoped to God that Carlos is on the same page as Leon, otherwise he will be as sad as I am, and I don't wish a broken heart on him.
It didn't surprise me that they were adopted brothers, there is so much I don't know about this family.
Their relationship was an open one, it had to be that way for business I think, they both cruised a lot of clients to get the best results, although I didn't agree with it, and neither did they. I was happy that they coped beautifully with the situation but I now know they are tired of it. When we got home I got a nice kiss at the front door and Leon went to his apartment and I opened my front door. I didn't expect him to make love to me, I got the feeling they don't play cuddles separately, especially when its family and affairs of the heart.
I sat at the table and double-checked my list of things to do, but then I was lonely so I grabbed a glass and bottle to go sit with Gino. He was there on his own and as I sat he said,
"He's gone then?"
"Yes, he will be in the air by now."
"What is Leon doing?"
"Probably having a quiet drink, they will miss each other."
"They have been lovers for a long time Ant."
"How the fuck did you know that, I'm sick of this shit. How did you know and who told you?"
"Your grandfather Ant, the night you went a little crazy."
"That was almost three weeks ago, you have known since then and you have never told me?"
"I assumed you knew, he said that they were brothers in name only and they had been adopted when he was very young, Federico worded him up that night and he told me."
I filled my glass and skulled it, I thought I was the only person to know all that, then out of the corner of my eye I spied Leon coming down the stairs with another bottle.
"Can I sit with you both?"
"Of course you can, you don't need an invitation."
"Thank you guys, it's a bit cold in the apartment."
"You both should shack up together," Gino said.
"That's not wise Gino, I may fall more in love with Antonio, or he might fall in love with me."
He laughed, it was nice to see and even Gino had a big grin on his face.
The mood changed and we had a great night, and no, he didn't sleep with me.
By Thursday I had done my samples, they took up the living room and they looked amazing. I had bought the bowls and urns from Gabriel with a few extras in case one got damaged, they were awesome and the best quality. Leon loved them and Gino, Alice and Anna had to have a look too, I had invited the seven ladies over with Nina and of course, my Nonna and Nonno arrived unexpectantly, the wine was opened and Leon took many photos and said he would get them off to the wedding planner straight away. The ladies checked them out and were confident they could replicate them, they had brought food with them and my kitchen table was packed by the time Nonna put hers out, she had to use the kitchen bench.
I had a sort of organized party to celebrate, which went on late into the evening, except for my new lady friends who left early because they have young families to put to bed. I slipped an envelope to Nina and she left with a big smile on her face.
When everyone had left I opened my laptop and skyped Luca to show him the finished products, he was lying in bed and did look a little better but still very pale. He loved them as I carried the computer around to show him close up. We talked for a while and he told me that Carlos hadn't turned up yet but he was expecting him at any moment, he was waiting up for him. I told him we both missed him and he needs to get back here as soon as he can. He understood what I was saying and he promised he wouldn't be kept any longer than he needed to be there. I thought Carlos was going for a couple of months, but Luca said his parents were changing some plans and had to speak to him.
While I was looking at him the bed moved and a gorgeous face came on screen, it was Gianni, he waved at me and Luca introduced us properly. His voice was deep, I mean really deep, no hint that he was gay at all, and I had my dick in my hand immediately. I wondered if they would give me a live show but they just kissed lightly and unbeknown to them that was enough to get me off.
"Did you just cum Antonio?" Luca smiled.
"Yes."
"He's nice isn't he, I would like you to meet him one day in person, I think you could become really good friends." He giggled and I was embarrassed and said I would like that, but I had to go because the orgasm also had made me feel tired. We said our goodnights and I put my blooms to bed with a spray of water, then I went to snuggle up in mine.
"Did Carlos ring you, Leon?" I asked my neighbor the next morning when he came by to let me know the flowers had sold, the wedding planner loved them.
"Yes, at around two, he was tired so he slept with Luca."
"Any news?" "Yes Antonio, can we sit for a moment?"
"Of course, coffee?"
"Yes please."
"He is so depressed it's been hard for the staff and our parents to pull him out of it. When Carlos saw him he thought he was dead, he was so pale. He's going to try and get him to go sit in the sun with him. I also have a message for you, he doesn't blame you for anything Antonio, he thinks the fact that he fell in love so easily that it started his insecurities off again and his doctor said his bipolar has always been with him. So you're not to worry about anything, he is in good hands, if Carlos can't drag him out of his funk then nothing will." He kissed my lips.
"Ok, I'll take all that on board and dissect it when I have time, thank you Leon, you're a true friend." I kissed him back.
"Now, are you ready for next week, do you need anything?"
"I am ready to go, nervous as hell but ready, thank you."
"Good, I have to be somewhere so we will catch up later for a vino okay?"
"Yes of course, and have fun with whatever you're doing."
"Loose ends Antonio, not much to do, and no I am not visiting massage parlors." He laughed his head off. I didn't think that at all and wanted to ask him what massage parlours? As far as I know there are no gay ones in Melbourne.
The time went quickly and the day was looming. I met the ladies at the warehouse where the flowers had been delivered earlier on, Giuseppe had done a special delivery for me and they were the freshest he had, and perfect.
I placed the dummy bouquets on the top table then sorted out the flowers into their lengths, the ladies were accompanied by my Nonna and the head girl Nina, they brought the scones, sandwiches and cakes and made the coffee. Stools were arranged in front of the bowls and the ladies studied the samples again. Fifty table bouquets appeared out of nowhere as my wonderful girls talked and laughed their way around the long table, my throat lumped up as I checked them over, they were all perfect and better than my sample, they were bushier, brighter and so beautiful.
"I can't express my gratitude enough ladies, you have all done an awesome job for me, what hidden gems you all are. I am so proud of you." I didn't know what to say until one lady asked if I wanted them to do the bigger urns. I thought about it and decided that they had done such a good job I will give them a free hand to do the rest.
"I can't outdo your skills and if you don't mind, feel free to go ahead." They all stared at me and laughed, I went to grab something to eat, bloody Italians, they were born and bred in a flower bed.
They were equally magnificent, I ran the measuring tape over them and they were perfect. They sprayed them with misty water and then they all sat down while Nonna and Nina served them lunch. It had only taken them three hours and I did double their wages even before I knew how wonderful they were. Three of them got the cards out, two had knitting, and the others chatted away like nothing big had happened. If I ever get another contract like this, I will certainly be using them.
I heard the trucks pull up out the back and we started placing the bowls into them, the bigger ones had to be anchored so they don't fall over, with that done the ladies piled in and we all headed for the casino. I thought the drivers would help me place them but the ladies insisted they finish the job properly, gran and Nina came with me as I led the trucks to the loading dock. We were dead on time and the organizer was impressed and said I had one hour to place them. It didn't take one hour, rather it took forty minutes. Only Nona stayed with me while the rest went home to get dinners ready, we did one more run through and ran into Leon which was a nice surprise. He handed me a small carton and said,
"I knew you would forget these." I opened it up and there was a stack of beautifully hand-printed business cards in gold and white, plus card stands.
"Thank you Leon, yes I did forget." I was so happy he did that for me and he helped me place one on each table. The room looked alive when the flowers were added and I took many photos. He had an appointment with the casino's management and left. I had parked my van in the car park so we had to walk through the casino to get to it. I lost Nona and when I retraced my steps she was sitting at a poker machine, something she rarely gets to do because Nono thinks they are a waste of money.
"Sit for ten minutes Antonio." She patted the seat next to her while her finger pushed buttons rapidly.
"Thank you Nona for all your help today, I am blessed to have such good family and friends."
"That's okay grandson, it was all our pleasure. The ladies would have done it for nothing and it is nice you gave them all a bonus because some of them do struggle sometimes."
That warmed me, and I will try and find out who's struggling so I can try and help in some way.
"We can go now Antonio."
"You have only been here five minutes, nan."
"Yes, I put five dollars in and got ten dollars back so I am a winner grandson, your Nono will be so proud of me." She chuckled her way to the car park but I don't know whether she was serious or not, bloody ten dollars.
I dropped her off because I had to get home, I was exhausted and I needed a drink. I ran up the back way and dumped my bag then grabbed a bottle and glass and ended up out the front, no Gino, no one but me. I didn't care, I was happy to be alone. It didn't take long as Alice walked up with her bottle and Gino suddenly appeared with Anna and it will be another hour before Leon would join us, in the meantime, I showed them the photographs and they back slapped me.
"Don't congratulate me, congratulate the ladies, they did them, they were amazing and better at it than me. I would still be on my first one and they would be finished, they were that good."
"Well, I will make a point of telling them so when I get to the Italian club again," Gino said.
"We should go Saturday night, get all dressed up and have a dance or two, let's celebrate," Alice said, and we all agreed it would be nice.
Leon came down with two bottles of wine and we started in earnest, I have tomorrow off work so I don't care if he is plying me with his awesome vino.
"Did you get the business done?"
"Yes Antonio, the management of the casino was very impressed with your blooms too, they want to place a contract with your business, they have your card and will ring you."
"You did all that for me?"
"Yes and no. I talked you up because I had heard their old supplier had gone bankrupt and closed up his shop and now they were looking for a new supplier. I suggested you after they looked at the reception room with me to check all was well."
"Do you know what it entails?"
"No Antonio, but I would rent the warehouse when you know, better still buy it and get the ladies to run it."
"Surely it won't be that big?"
"With a thousand hotel rooms and many reception desks I think you are going to be very busy, but I will leave it to them to tell you."
"Do you know why the old supplier went out of business?"
"They told me the owner liked their high roller room and went bankrupt." He laughed.
My heart thumped a lot and I had to hang onto every emotion before I cried, this alone is a big account and I doubted whether I can do it. Crown should have their florist shop working full time, but I will wait to see what it entails. I sort of thanked Leon all I could in public when Anna nudged me and said,
"That's huge Ant, they spend thousands a month on arrangements."
"I can only imagine what the job entails, many late nights I suspect."
"You can do it, you said it yourself, your new staff are the best." I thought about my ladies, and yes some will need the work and the money, maybe I could try and do it just for them.
We had a visitor later on and Alice walked him back to her place, Federico was a real gentleman and he dressed like one, he even wore a fedora hat which you don't see much nowadays.
"She likes him a lot Ant, I hope he's not a gigolo."
"He's not Anna, he genuinely likes her and please don't say anything but he's hoping she will ask him to move in soon," Leon said.
"Cool, she would love that Leon, she's been hinting to me she would like to have a flatmate."
I laughed as Leon filled my drink again because I am only going to have this one and then I'm done, I have so much to do tomorrow so I'm going to have an early night.
He kissed me as he dropped me at my front door and I waddled into the bedroom and flopped on the bed, dead drunk, I didn't wake up until seven the next morning. I was hungover again and checked my ass as I moved to go to the bathroom, anything could have happened as I can't remember past the silly happy dance I did out the front, oh the embarrassment.
It hadn't connected at the time but a few days after the BMW event, which was a hit, I was sitting on the fire escape when Leon came out with a bottle.
"So what's on the agenda now my friend, racing carnival?"
"Italy and my brothers Antonio."
His words confused me a little but it makes sense, why would I think Leon would hang around after the night, his work was done.
"I have to go home now Antonio, I must see my brothers and as you know I miss Carlos. I will ring you with the dates, we will be back. The racing carnival has been half arranged and we will need roughly twenty-four of your bigger blooms but on eighteen-inch pedestals this time, so you have time to look for them on your travels, white only."
"Ok, I can see what Gabrielle has. What month do you think you will be back?" I am over being shocked by this man so I didn't react.
"The first week in September Antonio, but I haven't got the exact date yet, we have five events to do plus our corporate tent at the Caulfield and Melbourne cups through to lady's day. As I said, I have done much work but there is still much to do."
"Okay, I will let you know how I go with the pedestals."
"Please do that Antonio, I am leaving in two days and I am going to miss all this very much, especially you my friend."
"I will miss you too Leon, it's been a wonderful time having you and Carlos here with me. I didn't have any friends I could be myself with before, now I'm covered in them thank you. And thank you for the business and your friendships." I kissed his bearded cheek.
He didn't answer me, rather he just stared out into the night, I guess he's got other things on his mind.
We did the same thing, we picked Gino and Anna up then Alice and Federico, then did a bar crawl to the Italian club. Everyone was there even my ladies who were all dressed to the nines, I hugged most of the ones I could catch before I sat with gran and grandad.
"Did you invest your ten dollars Nona?"
"Yes Antonio, I got a good rate." She smirked at me because she knew I was being sarcastic.
"I have heard on the grapevine Antonio that the Casino is wanting your blooms, are you going to cope with it all?" Nonno asked.
"I think I can, it depends on what they want and when they want it."
"You will need the warehouse and the lady's auxiliary to help you grandson, your grandmother has bled the casino dry I believe, so they probably won't be paying much." He smiled at me as Nonna dug him in the ribs.
"I don't know what to charge Nonno, I will have to investigate further."
"We will go for a walk and speak with Nina, she will know, her nephew worked for the fool that lost all his money, he can investigate for you and maybe you will offer him a job too. He's not a florist, he's a man with a van, a very big van."
"He wouldn't know what to charge grandad."
"No grandson, but his friend would, he worked on the accounts, it's all business Antonio and we will get the ball going as soon as I finish my vino." He smiled again.
No, I'm not going to fall for it again, and yes that's the way we do business.
Leon looked down when I sat back and looked at him, he's missing everyone and the sooner I get him on a flight out the better.
"When are you thinking of flying out Leon?"
"Two days Antonio, I must clean the apartment up so can I borrow your vacuum cleaner and washing machine tomorrow?"
"No, I will clean the flat and do the washing, you concentrate on packing what you want to take. The rest can stay in my spare room, has Federico rented it out?"
"He will for the two months then we move back in and thank you, I wasn't looking forward to cleaning although it's pretty clean anyway."
"It will be done so don't worry about it, I will get Alice and Anna to help me." I smiled.
Gino and Anna with Alice and Federico were on the dance floor and I was getting a little hungry so I went to look at what was on offer, they had homemade gnocchi tonight, I love gnocchi with sauce. Granddad stood behind me then escorted me to Nina's table, she was looking lovely in her sparkly gown. I pulled a seat up and she kissed my cheek then passed an envelope to me.
"All you need to know is in here Antonio, will you need my girls?" "Yes please, I don't know the hours or what they will be doing but I will know once I speak to the casino manager, I think it will be a regular job for your girls."
"Good, because they had so much fun with your corporate account and it was nice to see the bonus too, you're a very good person Antonio, a credit to your grandparents and your parents, god bless their souls." She did the sign of the cross and I mimicked her.
I pushed the envelope into my inner suit coat pocket, thanked her and went to order some dinner, we didn't all eat together, that's our way, but once I brought mine back to the table the others decided it looked so good they would have some too, except Leon and Anna they were now dancing. Anna had the girls out tonight for all and sundry and Gino was craning his neck all night to have a good perve, there was something else I saw in him tonight, he was being very friendly with Leon and making sure his drinks were topped up and he was enjoying himself. The next day on the steps he told me he will miss him and he already misses Carlos, Gino doesn't get too deep with me but he did on the steps that night.
I danced with gran, Alice, Anna and some of my ladies when they were free and I got to know them a little better, I also have to find out which ones are doing it tough and maybe help them, another talk with Nina will solve that problem.