Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2021 06:57:56 +1000 From: Maxwell Dowling Subject: Impossible Love 28 Impossible Love 28 By Maxieplus Sabine was happy to go there for dinner and she said if Nina isn't too tired she would drag her along. I spied two very good-looking boys coming through the market. They ordered wines and sat with us, Carlos almost dragged Lukas out of Sabine's arms she wasn't too happy either but then neither was Alice, she poked her head out of the florist shop several times. "Why aren't you two working?" "There's nothing to do except selling vino mama, it's boring being there," Carlos whined. "You would let your aunty do all the work for you, what a couple of bad boys you are." "Are you going to spank me, mama?" Leon shyly said. "No I won't Leon, you know what happened the last time I did that, you got very excited." "When was that mama?" "When you were ten." She giggled her head off at Leon's red face. "How is Nina coping boys?" I changed the subject. "Fine Antonio, she has it all under control and she told us to come here because we were upsetting her routine," Carlos said. "Okay then I don't want you two to take advantage of her, she might not want to work for us in the future." They blushed. Gianni came out and roared at me. "Antonio, do you think you will do some work today or are you going to sit on your sweet ass drinking?" "Coming boss, you see boys everyone needs a hand now and then." I looked at Gianni. "Out the back or in the shop?" "Out the back Antonio, now." "Have you been looking at Angelo's bum again Gianni Cartasso?" I shook my finger at him. "No, your bum." Great answer. We chuckled together as he showed me out the back then his hands were all over my bum. When we exited the powder room three sets of eyes were looking at us and there was no baby in sight. I blushed and asked Sabine where he was, she said Alice threatened to choke her if she didn't give him up. I told them we were going to the Italian club tonight because I didn't feel like cooking, they all laughed. "You are so funny Antonio, you never cook your Nona does," Leon said. "Well, I have to thaw it out and heat it," I defended myself, and Sabine took my hand. "Would you like a bigger apartment Antonio, and a housekeeper that cooks?" I looked at her, and she was serious. "I don't think so Sabine, why mess with something that works beautifully." I smiled and thanked her. I know Gianni would do that for us but there's no need to at the moment may be as Lukas grows we may revisit that idea he's got to have room to entertain his schoolmates. "What are you up to tomorrow Sabine?" I never really got a full answer except she's going to buy another outfit. "I want to take Lukas to the zoo, Antonio, I will ask your Nona to come with us because I want to get to know her a bit better." "She will love that Sabine, she never goes out much nowadays." "Good I will ask her tonight." Gianni got more customers so I went to help him out, six more cartons left the market in the back of a truck and two Aussie guys were very happy because they were also having a barbeque for Oaks day in their backyard, must be some party I wondered if they wanted a waiter. "Stop that." Gianni slapped my arm. "Stop what?" "Perving on my customers." "Sorry boss." I laughed so much he had to give me another wine. Well I missed the Italian club because I had collapsed on the bed when we got in, I wasn't interfered with but Gianni said they all had a lovely night without me. I had risen early because I could hear Lukas stirring, so I sat with him on the small balcony and fed him some milk while I had coffee. Gianni came looking for me, I was embarrassed because I didn't turn up last night, I actually couldn't scratch when I left the bar and I promised myself there will be no drinking today, at all. "What time is Sabine coming Gianni?" "In an hour, gran said she will go with her and Alice insisted she tags along so you are working the florist shop today." He kissed me several times and I was rising to the moment. "Want me to wash your back?" "No Antonio, I can do that." "With my tongue." Okay, when you are ready." His eyebrows lifted I think he got the idea, quick smart. Sabine looked like she was going to the theatre today, she was dressed to the nines when she called to pick Lukas up. "It's the Zoo Sabine, not the Opera." "I know Antonio, but I want to take the ladies out for lunch somewhere nice after the Zoo." "Oh, that makes a big difference Sabine, knowing my gran she will have lunch all packed into a basket for you all to enjoy at the actual Zoo." "Do you think so?" "I know so." I smiled. "Then I will change on the way there." She left with my baby in his stroller ten minutes later and Gianni had to have a kissing session before we left because he wanted my taste on his lips all day. I headed for the florist shop and he headed into the café, he had a few customers and I had Bianca. She was a pretty woman and a great worker the buckets were out the front when I arrived and all I had to do was a half dozen posies and some big arrangements. She was telling me that everything was good at home now, it was touch and go there for a while she didn't know where to turn until Nina took over her finances. She will always be grateful to her and me for finding this job for her. I told her she has it for life and she's not to worry about money if she needed any urgently she was to ask me. I made her promise to do just that. We served a few people then I looked out the front window, Gianni was standing there looking at me, my heart leaped in its cavity and I missed him so much today. I couldn't dwell on the what if's because two of my special arrangements had to be carried out to a car. It wasn't any surprise that he was leaning up against a fence on the opposite side of the road, it was the cut-throated movement he made towards me that got me going. I took off after him and he ran from me but I was too swift and my hand grabbed his shoulder and he turned around shouting expletives at me. "How dare you, how fucking dare you try to intimidate me like that, you could have had everything but instead you decided to go down the wrong path," I screamed at him. "Go away Basilio, I mean it this time there is no room in my family for you anymore." "You have my money and I want it." "There is no money for you Basilio, there never was. It was your wife's family money, not yours don't you get that?" "It was my money when I married the bitch, and now I want it." "You will never get your hands on it go back to your people they have plenty of money, why are you even still here?' "I have to stay for my court case and I still want my money." "Catch a slow boat back to Italy Basilio you would be better off trying to get a shit load of money off your brother than Gianni, and anyway he can't touch that money because Sabine and Federico have to co-sign any withdrawals." "Is that true Antonio?" "Yes it's the truth, now go back home and give everyone some peace." "I need money." "How much?" "Ten thousand to secure passage." "Meet me in the park tonight at eight I will have it for you, then go home, nothing will be gained here and you know Sabine has a gun and she will hunt you down you know that." "I know." He dropped his head. "I'm tired Antonio, so fucking tired." "Then stop chasing non-existent wealth, the truth be known your people have a lot more wealth than Sabine and Giannis combined." He didn't believe me but he was at least calming down and thinking about what I said. "I am sorry Antonio, I have been a little obsessed." "Yes you have, so meet me at eight I will have the money and be done with it." "I will." He then ran off before the cops caught up with him. I returned to the shop and for anyone that saw me I may have gone out for a smoke or something. "Sorry Bianca, I had business to discuss." "That's okay Antonio, Gianni came looking for you." "I will go see him now, did he say what he wanted?" "No, but he looked worried." "I will only be one minute my lady." I bowed to her and she giggled. Gianni was out the back he was having a glass of wine so I had one with him. "What's up?" "I miss you." "I will be here tomorrow my man." "But it's no fun when you are not here." "Make up your own fun then, go terrorize Angelo." "I have done that twice today he's not interested, only in you." I stifled a laugh and had another wine, then he said. "He's in the area Antonio, be careful." "How do you know?' "The police rang me to tell me he's around this area so we have to be vigilant." "Okay, I got this and lock your back door Gianni anyone can sneak in." "Okay Antonio, will you stay with me I might get scared." I laughed my head off and yes he slapped me. "I will be back and forth baby if the big bad man comes call me." I skulled my drink and kissed him then went back to my colorful blooms. I won't tell him I am giving his father some money and I hope and pray the man will go back to Italy, he will have to jump bail here but he can get lost in his tribe, they won't go looking for him. We locked up for the day and Bianca left to catch her bus, I went into the cafe and Gianni was just turning the lights out, he had a big smile on his face because I was with him. I took his hand and marched him out the back and kissed him for ages, it was dark out there and in the dull light I fell in love with him again and again, I couldn't let him go. "Thank you, Antonio, I needed that so much." "Me too it has been hard today maybe I will get another casual to do my shop and stay here with you permanent like." "Can you do that for me, Antonio?" His lips wisped past my eyes. "Of course I can, we will discuss wages when we get home." "Antonio?" Then he laughed and showed me to the front door. After having a violent but passionate love-making session when we got in I took some food out of the freezer to thaw in the microwave then went to grab an envelope. I didn't know how I was going to work it but I have to go for a run tonight. Our baby walked in with his Nona and they were both telling us what a great day they had with the ladies and the animals, she showed me many photos of him with different ones and she said they had a wonderful but tiresome time she thinks Gran and Alice will go to bed early tonight, Lukas has worn them out. We cracked open another bottle and we sat talking about our day and Gianni told her that he had hired me for his shop permanently. I told her we were still in negotiations. The boys looked exhausted when they came home, they moaned about the crowds of people that visited their event and they wished they hadn't even done it. Sabine laughed at their faces and said. "You both have never had it so good, look at poor Antonio, he had to work in two businesses today he's exhausted, you're not." They looked at me and said sorry. "That's better." She answered. We finished off our bottle and started downstairs that was after I spent some time with our son, he was very happy he went out for the day and I think he was trying to tell me about all the animals because he was making sounds like them. Gino was there and Anna will be here shortly. Sabine was given a chair and Leon took one also but Carlos wanted to sit with me and hold my hand. Gianni was in a good mood tonight and he was talking about his new wines and that he will have some in the shop tomorrow if all goes well. I stood up later on because I had to go for that run, I stretched and winced. "What's the matter, Antonio?" Gianni asked. "I think I will go for a short run around the park my back needs the kinks taking out." "It's not safe Antonio, wait until I get changed." He started standing up but I was too quick. "I will only be ten minutes." I ran off and felt awful that he was left standing there watching me leave. I ran like the wind to the entrance then slowed so I could see where Basilio was, it was dark but I did see someone standing behind a tree and slowed my run to a walk. "Basilio?" "Yes have you got my money." "No I have my money but I will give it to you." I fished around in my underwear and handed over an envelope full of cash, he put it in his coat pocket. "Not even a thank you?" He placed his hand on my shoulder and a knife to my throat. "Thank you, now we go for a walk." Fuck me drunk, what have I done now, I can't even give money away without getting into trouble. I couldn't pull away because he had it stuck right on an artery and any sudden moves might jar it and cut me. He pushed me ahead and I had no idea where he was taking me probably to the pond to dispose of my stupid body. I heard a muffled thud and the knife disappeared. "You can open your eyes now Antonio." Gianni's voice echoed in my ear, my god he had followed me. "What?" "He's out cold and you can open your eyes now." I opened them and stared at him with tears falling thank god once again he has come to my rescue, and Gino, Leon, Carlos even Sabine. I looked at all their faces and said a very sheepish. "Sorry, and thank you." Gino and Gianni picked Basilio up and carried him back to Gino's apartment, he retrieved my cash and Sabine was talking to someone on the phone. I was in awe of my man and I couldn't think about the consequences if he had slit my throat. I sat quietly while Carlos held my hand and Leon poured me a drink. "We have to get him down to the docks by midnight Gianni." Sabine was on to it. "We can do that, how are we going to sedate him?" She tapped her handbag. "I have something that will knock him out for three days." "Where is he going?" "He will be dropped off in the Solomon island by a container ship, they specialize in smuggling people." She didn't laugh but I did see a slight smile. This was her chance to rid her family of this evil man for good there is no way he would be able to get back from there he won't have any cash on him just a canceled passport. I didn't ask any questions and when Basilio came around Sabine gave him a bottle of wine laced with her magic pills. He struggled a bit but eventually went back to sleep and that was the last time I saw him, Gianni and Gino with Sabine loaded him into the van and drove off with twenty grand of Gianni's money. The boys and I sat on the back walkway and opened another bottle. "Pretty stupid thing to do Antonio, not even I am that stupid," Leon said. "I know, and I am sorry he lied to me again, he's a good actor." "Well no more wasting good money on filth okay?" "Yes, Leon no more. God, I hope they are going to be all right." "They will be, Mama has it all sorted out she only had to make two phone calls this time." "What do you mean about this time?" "Nothing Antonio, do not concern your thoughts about it." "Tell me." "No." He was tight-lipped and I wondered if Sabine had done this sort of thing before. It was an hour and a half before they came back, the first thing they did was open two more bottles and sat with us. "Did you drop Sabine off?" "Yes Antonio, she was exhausted." "I am sorry Gianni." I dropped my head and he kissed me. "Antonio, I already knew you had been talking to him in the car park, and when you said you had to go for a run we followed you because I already know he will do something bad to you." "I should have never have believed him again." "Lesson learned Antonio, let us put it in the past you were in no danger because your man of the house had total control." "He had a fucking knife." "He had a spoon." "He what?" I screamed. "He had a serving spoon to your throat, you were in no danger from him." I saw Gianni smile. Then I slumped sideways and started to tear up, he held me tight and kissed my head several times then I heard it. "Time to heal our brothers of stupid fathers," Leon whispered. I heard the Pan pipes and the Lonely Shepherd was being played. Carlos had gone and got his pipe and was playing Luka's favorite song. It resonated all over the quiet community, lights went on, windows were pulled up and people were waking to the beautiful sounds Carlos was making. I was bawling my eyes out because I felt Luka with me again in my heart. He played it twice for the ones that missed the first part, then when he finished I hear a lot of Italians handclapping and yelling bravo over the rooftops. I don't know him at all and I told him so as I hugged and kissed him for being a wonderful musician. I also thought about Basilio, Carlos's music was about him too, leaving Gianni's life forever. That little boy that hung onto a dream for so long just to find out it was just a dream, after all, I held him close. It was late by the time we called it a night, Gino had to go early because Anna won't go to sleep without him. The boys stayed the night just to make sure I was okay and Gianni held me tight while I played in his nether regions. I slept well because I was half drunk when I went to bed, but I pulled up okay in the morning. Gianni was with Lukas when I went to put the coffee on and I kissed both of them. "Do you want me to go halves in the money you forked out last night?" "No need it was worth it to see the back of him, Antonio." "And you're okay with that?" "Yes baby, he doesn't know how to act like a real man for his family and I have no respect for him at all now. I very doubt he will come back the ship's captain said he will be allowed on deck for one hour a day and that's all. When they get there he will be taken to shore and given twenty dollars then he's on his own." "Good, so hopefully we won't have any more trouble then." "Umm Antonio, his brother might come looking for him when his bail is forfeited but that is no concern of mine." He pulled me down on his knees and Lukas was placed on the floor which is where he wanted to be. His kisses were sweet this morning and I felt like a big weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I will talk to Gianni some more about it but when we are alone together and have time to reflect on his past. "Looks like I will be back in the shop today baby" "Yes and that's where you should be I will be very busy today Antonio." "What doing? Unpacking ten boxes of wines?" "Yes Antonio, it will be a monumental day for me my wines will sell very well I think." I had no idea what mark-up he was going to place on his brand, but I will find out today because I have seen what he pays for them wholesale. "Gran will be here today, so we don't have to take him." "Good Antonio, we might go parking after work then." "We can't keep Gran here Gianni one of us is going to have to leave the café early to let her go home." "I will call her if I decide we will park on the way home, leave it to the household man please Antonio." "Okay I will leave it up to you then, and by the way what did you do with Basilio?" He dropped his head and blushed he has been caught out again. "We took him to the police and I made a statement saying it was me he attacked, they arrested him and he has been sent to a detention center. He will lose his bail and will be under armed guard supervision." I had seen the envelope with twenty grand in it in the hidey-hole when I went to put my ten grand away last night, it was a dead give-away. "So the Cartasso mafia is nothing but a bunch of school kids playing James Bond then." "Yes Antonio, it sounds a lot better the other way, word gets around you know and we don't want to be seen as girly boys." "Would you like to bend over the back of the sofa this morning my lovely wife?" He stared at me and was thinking about it when the doorbell went, I nearly screamed because I needed him. "Good morning gran grandad, you're early." "I hope we didn't disturb anything Antonio, but I need to do my work early because we are taking Lukas to the beach to get an ice cream." "All right, Basilio has been caught breaching his bail Nona so you don't have to worry about him anymore. Do you want us to pick him up at your place?" "If you wouldn't mind Antonio, but first we will get him some fresh clean air at the beach, that Zoo stinks to high heaven. And Gianni, the Solomon Islands is a lovely place for your father." She giggled as she got her broom out, Gianni giggled too because his ass was safe for the moment, but how the hell does she know about last night? Being the man of the house, I let him drive then I insisted he open my door for me then he made me coffee and made sure I was comfortable sitting out the front, I have the upper hand this morning so I thought I would take advantage of it. "Gianni, can we talk about my new wages?" "Oh hell Antonio, you are not going to punish me all day?" "No your punishment will last all week, sorry but I have decided and spoken, Gianni there will be no arguments. Your ass is going to be very sore, I am sure of that if we go parking. Now let's talk business." His delivery arrived when the new batch of cakes did, I filled the cake display counter and he smiled from ear to ear filling his cooler with his new labels. I watched and he unwrapped a gold plastic sign and stuck it on the top of the fridge, it simply said Gianni's. The price for his cheap plonk was sixty-nine dollars a bottle so he will make more than fifty dollars a bottle profit, good work if you can get it. "It looks beautiful Gianni, I am so proud of you they will sell well, but won't they conflict with the Cartasso label?" "No Antonio, as you know they are the same and I won't discount mine so the bulk ones will sell, as usual, thanks to you, and mine will be for those discerning people that know their good wines." "But they are the same." He winked at me and laughed his head off then said. "Don't tell the discerning customers that." "Excuse me, Antonio, I have a problem with my coffee machine." Angelo was in my face and I wished he would move in closer. "What is it, my friend?" "It needs someone to work it I have to go and talk to my Grandfather, it's business Antonio." "Then go by all means I will be there shortly." I stacked Gianni's empty boxes out the back then went to do some work. The orders were coming in thick and thin, I know coffee is a big seller because it flies out the door, as do the cakes but the wines are the cream of the crop they turn over more money than anything else. The backpack was given to Stavros and Gianni slipped him some money for his weekly wages, Angelo was deep in conversation with him and it looks like he was winning because Stavros got his handkerchief out and wiped his brow. I then saw the brochures when I went out to clean up a table, he's buying a car and needs a loan. I guess Stavros is bankrolling it for him he's a good man that Stavros. I went back inside and did my thing for the next half hour until Angelo came back to relieve me. "Did you get the one you wanted?" "Yes, a brand spanking new van the same as yours but royal blue." "Not a sporty chick magnet BMW?" "Not practical Antonio, I will open a business and I need something to run around in with my name on it to advertise." "So you will call your business Angelo's then?" He stared at me and said. "Of course I will. Grandads buying it for me for my eighteenth birthday, he thought he was buying a clapped-out old van but he doesn't know me well. Nothing but the best and I have Gianni to thank for that." "He wasn't mad?" "Only at Gianni." He laughed. "Antonio, he's loaded, he's got more than your grandad so I hear, and some of it will be mine when he goes so I have talked to him about this venture of mine and I want the best. Like you have here I don't want a run-down looking coffee shop I want my name to mean something, quality, excellence all that sort of thing like Gianni's." "All you have to do is wiggle your tush outside the shop and they will see you only handle quality." I laughed as I went out the back but he followed me because he wants to have a word with Gianni. Surprise, surprise, who were these two strangers sitting with him having a sly vino. "I'll get to you in a minute after Angelo says his piece." I was half expecting him to have a go at me but he didn't. "Gianni, when I open my shop will you supply me with your house wines?" "Of course I will Angelo would you like them to be gift wrapped?" "No." He laughed. "I only want your brand, the Cartasso one would be great but I don't want to crowd the fridge with different wine labels, although yours looks nice maybe I will have some of the Cartasso ones too, it all depends on the prices." "Thirty-five ninety-five a bottle you sell for sixty-nine ninety-five same as me." Gianni was doing business. "I will give you twenty-nine ninety-five a bottle nothing more." "I don't know about that Angelo, they are good wines and I don't want them cheapened." Angelo stared at him, he had decided what to do so he then took Gianni's hand and placed it down his stretch shorts, and let him have a good feel of his bum. "We have a deal." Gianni smiled and blushed at the same time because he knew I was watching. "Good, I will have that in writing thank you." Then he looked at Carlos, he is the weaker one. "Same price but we both have to have a feel." Angelo let them both have a good feel but he was now horning up so he left to make his lovely coffees, his ass was so tight in those shorts. "Antonio .....?" "Save it for later Gianni when I have you up against a tree with my dick so far up your ass you will be sucking on the knob with your lungs." The boys laughed at Gianni's face I turned on them. "And why are you here?" They shut up and all of a sudden they looked shy. "Well, I'm waiting." "Nina said for us to go, she said we were useless and had to go home to think about our attitudes, we don't have attitudes Antonio do we?" "No boys you are just lazy." I laughed and was poured a drink. "I got a good deal Antonio didn't I?" Gianni was looking for a pat on the head. "You did baby a really good deal, but you should have included me." I was put out that I didn't get a feel in and wasn't invited to grope that spunky twink. "Next time Antonio, you can grab it I will even throw in some freebies for Angelo so you can maybe lick it if you like." Now he's being ridiculous. "Have you finished stacking the fridge?" "Yes, Antonio." "Good, then you can break up those boxes and put them in the bin I have work to do and you two get your noses out of the wine bottle, and get out there behind the counter, no slacking off here." I went to see if the cake fridge needed refilling. I could hear Angelo snickering behind the coffee machine so I did something I shouldn't have, I went over to him and grabbed his ass then I had a good feel. I was happy after that except Gianni was standing behind his counter with his jaw dropped. I winked at him as I went to get some more cakes. "Where are you taking me?' "To the beach, to have a look at the waves." He was driving me to the park but now I think I'm, going to the beach. He parked well away from the other cars and grabbed my hand. "You can have a good feel of me too Antonio." I did just that and it was amazing, he even wanted some head, I am a winner today. We picked Lukas up on the way home he was excited to tell me about his trip to the beach today gran said he had a wonderful time in the sand and he has been bathed and freshened up for his night. She invited us to eat, they always eat early at their place. Food came from everywhere and we talked to grandad about Stavros, he said they were old friends they used to have competitions with properties but when Stavros bought the market it stopped, grandad couldn't top that one so he bowed out. He also said Angelo was his favorite nephew and he would do anything for him, the boy could do no wrong in his eyes. They will be having a big eighteenth birthday party at the club for him next month. I understand he will be leaving us after that to open his business, he will be missed sadly. I looked at Gianni and he said. "We will buy him something nice Antonio, maybe a new coffee machine for his business." "Why don't you just give him some cartons of wine when they come in, that doesn't cost much and he will make a good starting profit on them." He nodded his head. "How much have you ordered anyway baby?" "Two containers worth Antonio, go big or go home somebody always says." I laughed and got a slap off gran. "Have some respect Antonio." She said, then she wanted to look at baby photos, not Lukas's either, mine. We got in late and the boys were sitting with Gino on the walkway, Gianni opened a bottle and I put Lukas to bed, he had fallen asleep in the car so he will sleep well tonight he's had a big day. I kissed him gently and Gianni was behind me looking at me. He kissed me deeply and told me he loved me then he did the same to Lukas. When the moment was over we went to talk to the boys about tomorrow, they have to do some work otherwise Nina will certainly fire them. Donations are always gratefully received on Nifty