Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2021 06:50:38 +1000 From: Max Dowling Subject: Impossible Love 41 Impossible Love 41 Roberto and Adamo rang to see if we got home okay. Adamo wanted to talk to Gianni he was over the moon with his new job and wanted to thank him once more. They have fully moved in and are so happy to be in their own home. We talked for about half an hour, then they had to go but promised to ring again soon. I let a small tear escape because I had missed them already. "It is amazing here Antonio, I have just got a break and will go back in ten minutes, thank you for this job." The new guy Ted said. "Yes it's a great place to work, I am glad you like working here Ted, it does get pretty boring sometimes though." "No, I love it here and the eye candy is amazing at this market so many gay boys." He blushed as he outed himself, I smiled and told him as he gets to know people he will love it even more and he's not to worry about being gay here. "You are in good company if there's any mud to be slung we will all be doing it together, take no shit from no one, especially if it's gay slurs." He walked off straightening his broad shoulders and a smile across his face, he will fit in perfectly here. He went back to learn all about the cakes then I noticed the girls showing him how to wait tables. I didn't know whether he will like it here to make it permanent, but he is still young and has the opportunity to do anything he wants. In the meantime, I have to find more staff because the girls will be leaving in two days. Angelo was looking around the new shop and he will put an archway in so he can extend his dining room, he had accepted that Nina just plain forgot about him but he did wink at me and say. "She won't forget again Antonio." I agreed, he's so adorable. There wasn't anywhere for him to go any way he had the whole corner and Gianni's was blocking his advancement unless he goes up. I went back to work and started helping Ted with the coffees, then I refilled the wine fridges and cake unit. I had noticed extra trays in the fridge out the back, so there must have been a recent delivery. The boys were out there having some vino and I sat down but didn't take one. "Where have you been Antonio, we have missed you?" Carlos said. "Doing business boys, I am very busy today." "Yeah busy doing nothing and looking at the new toy boy," Leon said. "Excuse me, I have just stopped world war three from starting, played with your nephew, made coffee's and had a cake, yes I have been busy and I have welcomed Ted into the family." "I think I will get you to do the coffee's full-time Antonio, you are always sitting down." Gianni poked his head in because he had overheard me. "Not possible Gianni, I have a florist shop to run." "Sorry, I forgot." He kissed me, he knows I work. I usually do all the jobs they don't like to do, like clean up their mess. "So are we almost set for staff Gianni?" "Not quite Antonio, I was just talking to Maxie he said he knew some other guy, so that will give us four full-timers, we need two casuals and when my lazy brothers decide to run their market we will need maybe one more." "Maybe speak to Nina." Then I added. "And not Sabine, please Gianni we need real workers." He smiled and winked, he's got this. I talked to Tommaso at the coffee machine Ted is picking it up beautifully, and he was now dishing up the cakes and wines I could hear his laughter just about all day and he smiled a lot because he was having a good time, being himself. Angelo and Gianni's tables were full and I could smell his delicious food everywhere, I see he's open until nine maybe we should do the same, but maybe not, it makes for a long day. Nina and Sabine had moved to the restaurant and were having a late lunch, somehow she had snaffled Lukas and he was having some of what she had and maybe giving them both advice, his voice is loud today. Alice was watching from the florist shop so I moved over there. "He won't be long." I grinned. "He needs to nap soon, I hope she doesn't spoil all my hard work." "She won't, how long has he got?" "Fifteen minutes." "I will get him for you don't stress, maybe you need another holiday." I giggled. "No, I don't need another one I need to stay on schedule." "Okay leave it to daddy." I winked. I walked off and again winked at Gianni as I passed the wine counter, he was serving three lovely ladies with his wines. "Antonio where did you go?" Leon said. "I was just out the front, Angelo is super busy today I wonder if it's been like that every day." "It has, Nina said before as soon as he opened there was a mad rush to serve people." "That's very good, will he affect the food hall?" "Not at all, they only serve the fried up crap there." I spoke to the girls they were very happy to get extra cash in their pockets and if they come back there would be jobs waiting for them in either shop. Gianni did something I didn't think he had thought of, he grabbed Lukas off Sabine and handed him to Alice. "The baby needs to nap now." He said as he walked past to serve another customer. "So I will just wipe down the tables then," I called back so then I went to do that little job for the girls. It's a madhouse in here sometimes and now there are too many staff members running around. I noticed a kid or is he a teen watching me from the market, he looked like he was a street kid and hadn't eaten for weeks. My heart dropped so I walked over to where he was. "Are you hungry?" "Yes starving I haven't eaten for days." "Come with me." "No." "But I will buy you lunch." "No sir I can't go with you, please don't make me." "I won't, what would you like to eat, a hamburger or something?" "Thank you I would like that." I fished twenty dollars out of my pocket and handed it to him. "What do you want me to do for that?" "Eat, all I want you to do is eat. If you need a seat bring it back to my café and grab a chair, if you need work I can give you some but for now, eat something." He ran off and my skin crawled, whatever it was he didn't want me to be his best friend. I shrugged it off and I didn't see him again that day. We locked up and sat out the back, Gianni was buggered he had been run off his feet all day. "Antonio do you want another holiday?" I laughed. "You need a holiday to get over your holiday baby, don't worry you haven't worked for five weeks it will get easier." "I know, but I would much rather stay home I think." "You can say home if you like I will give you a list of things to do while you're there." "Antonio?" "Yes, Gianni?" "I want you to stay with me too." "Okay let's sell the businesses and stay home then." "Do you want to go home?" He ignored that little piece of advice. "Yes, let's get our son and go, where are the boys?" "They are walking home, they need to exercise they said." I went and got Lucas and we bundled him into the car, it's not often because she likes to walk for exercise, but Alice bummed a lift she was exhausted also. "They are installing the lift today Antonio, so Nina said." "Really? that will be nice then I can come and have a look at your new home. I don't think I will take to the stairs too well without it." "Anytime Alice, it should be operational by the end of the week." He told her. We dropped her at her front door then Gianni drove around to the car park. The boys were walking through the back. Leon took Lukas and I took his travel bag then we traipsed up the back way to our homes. We were all tired, but that's just a lack of sleep and exercise because apart from a few runs we didn't do that much except swim and eat in Italy. "Who was the kid you were talking to Antonio?" Carlos asked. "I don't know a street kid I think, he was really hungry but didn't want me to get him anything so I flipped him a twenty. I offered him some work if he wanted it but he didn't answer." "He looked in a bad way, maybe he's living on the street." "Maybe, I did get the feeling he was scared of me in a way." "Maybe he's been attacked Antonio, you know by a twink sex maniac," Gianni said. "Maybe baby, but I doubt whether we will ever find out." I put the coffee on, the boys opened a bottle of wine, then I took some food out of the freezer and rang gran. "Gran please don't come tomorrow the flat isn't that bad I can hoover tonight." "But what about Lukas we can't upset his routine." "Please gran if you're feeling like we all are, have a good night's sleep and rest tomorrow, it's not urgent and Lukas will be fine with Alice and Bianca." "Well I am feeling a little run down maybe I won't come then." "How's grandad?" "Sleeping on the sofa Antonio, he's tired also. "We all need to get a good night's sleep boys, we will exhaust ourselves if we don't." They all agreed but when my boys wiggled two wine bottles at me Gianni and I went with them both. "You all look exhausted Antonio." Gino was concerned. "We are not used to working so hard Gino, big lazy holidays will do that to you." "We are fine Antonio." Carlos said. "Because you sat out the back all day avoiding Nina that's why you're not tired." I almost screamed at them. "By the way how did you go with her Gianni, did she have some part-timers?" "Yes Antonio, she has two school kids to start tomorrow, they are trained I believe and Maxie is chasing up another school friend tonight." "Good, now you two, do you have an office upstairs?" "Yes Antonio." "Well use it." "But we can't drink up there and Nina puts us to work." "Use it, or we will start charging you for wine," I said through my teeth. "No that's not possible Antonio, Gianni needs us for backup." "Yes that's correct I need some backup." I threw my arms in the air for the thousandth time and said. "I bloody well give up, where's Anna?" "She's resting, she's had a big day also Antonio, she went shopping." Gino laughed. All my good plans went out the window when we got in, I asked Gianni to accompany me on a run, that will completely exhaust us but he said he would rather make love, so we did, and I was exhausted in a way I kind of liked. As Lukas slept beside me I closed my eyes and if it wasn't for my throbbing bum I would have gone to sleep immediately, but eventually, I did. It was like Main street in the morning there were bodies everywhere in my bed, my eyes were everywhere when they jumped out and put their shorts on. I followed with Lukas and Gianni topped it off by walking out in a jockstrap he had found in a shop, he was pinched rubbed and cupped as he made his way into the kitchen to kiss me. My hands immediately checked if they could lift his cheeks but they were well and truly too hard to move. He grabbed coffee and his son and sat at the table. The computer beeped and it was Ramone and Alessio smiling on the other end, they panned the computer to show us their new house, it was awesome the views were magnificent, they were just checking we got home okay and by the way he was staring at my Gianni in his jock, Alessio missed him the most. I giggled when we hung up and told him to go put something on before he gives anyone else a heart attack. "I want to go and see my lift before we go." "Okay let's do that now." So we all went up to the rooftop house and checked his lift out, it wasn't in use but it did look like a big glass box had been dropped in my new entrance hall. "They have hidden it well Antonio." "I wasn't worried Gianni, I was concerned that if anyone came up in it they might see you in your jocks." I smiled. "Well maybe not, we put a wall on the front then, the view is everything." "Sure is baby cheeks." It wasn't bad a small wall will fix us having to look at the lift all the time. The boys needed a lift this morning and we were all feeling much better, they sat out the back while Gianni and us workers set up for the day, there no casuals today they have gone on their trip around Australia, but there was a Pedro he was fucking beautiful, Angelo move over. I was introduced and he was glad to get a casual job he had been looking for ages. I couldn't wait to get him into a uniform. Maxie and Tommaso waited both shops today and I taught Pedro how to do the coffees. It's an easy job really once you know the different brews. I was placing the sugar and stirrer holders on the tables when Angelo came out and started wiggling his tush to the music that was coming from his place. He said good morning then turned around and gave me an extra showing, I thanked him then I heard Gianni clear his throat. "At this rate, I will have no staff. I think they are thinking they might move into Angelo's restaurant already." "Not a chance baby, not a chance." I kissed his cheek and walked back into the café wiggling my bum I heard a loud groan. Alice was saying good morning to my son and his giggles warmed my heart then I looked next door and there was someone in there loading cartons onto a trolley to be carted away. The guy with the T-shirts must be moving out, so quickly. "He's behind in his rental Antonio, so Stavros asked him to move," Leon said as he made himself a coffee. "That's a shame because he's been here a long time almost since I have been at the market anyway." I looked over again. "I only knew him by name and a hello occasionally I think his name is Matt." "Well he was six weeks behind in rent, we think it's about time he goes somewhere else." "So Sabine is moving in." "Yes Antonio, mama will do well with her frocks here we think." "So he was renting from Stavros how the hell did he get away from not paying rent to him?" "He's a nephew Antonio, I think the black sheep one." I laughed, because why would that one get by me. I watched him lock the shop then he waved, he came across to talk to me. "So you're leaving then, after all this time." "Yes Antonio, I have a new job to go to, no more arguing over t-shirt prices." He grinned. "I know what you mean Matt, well good luck and I will see you around sometime." He laughed and went into the café to talk to Gianni, he led him over to the coffee machine and started showing him how to use it. I walked into the market stretched my arms behind then bent backward and screamed at the top of my lungs, all eyes were on me, then I went to talk to my son, he tells me everything he sees. I did think that Matt would look good in a pair of tight shorts also. "Antonio, are you all right?" "Yes Gianni, whatever made you think I wasn't?" He giggled, that prick of a husband giggled back at me. "Antonio?" he whined. "Nup don't want to know." I went to do the rubbish and break up some boxes I looked at my two boys and said. "Zipp it." Then I unceremoniously dragged open the back door. Hiding from Gianni or the boys is one of my greatest achievements, when my last load of rubbish was dumped, I grabbed the back door and closed it. Then I went next door to see Alice. She put me to work making up big arrangements for an order she had to be picked up, so I hid behind the blooms for the next hour. My son talked to me non-stop he had loads to tell me and I answered every question although I suspect some of his words were Italian. I watched out the window as Tim and Pedro served the customers I could see Matt at the coffee machine and Gianni was talking to some customers at the wine fridge. I didn't see the boys they must still be in the back waiting for my return. I slipped out the back and went into Angelo's to borrow a burgundy tank top and white shorts then I started serving his customers. It took a while but when Gianni saw me he grabbed my arm and dragged me laughing into the back room, then he was all over me like a rash. "I'm sorry I was only having a little joking with you." "I know that, Antonio's always good for a little joke anytime you want." "Can you put your black shorts on please?" "No." I walked out to see if anyone wanted a hand and got stuck in the cake unit serving up some delicious cakes. I bent over once too many times and ended up in the staff toilet's ass in the air with Gianni kissing it with his tongue. "No work today boys?" I said as I walked through they were onto their first bottle. "Not today Antonio, we are discussing business." I took my phone out and placed it to my ear. "Hello, Nina?" They shot off those stools and started helping Gianni fill the fridges then they served for the rest of the day. I did allow them to have short breaks and I counted four empty bottles when I locked up. But to be fair I think Gianni and I had one of them. Matt was a nice guy I was concerned that I didn't get to know him more, but my stall was over the other side of the market, so our paths never crossed much. He took to his new casual job beautifully and Stavros was smiling because his black sheep nephew was doing some work. Sabine had come by and looked inside the shop then she sat with Stavros who in turn called his son the Market manager. "They will start the painting tomorrow Antonio, I cant place my beautiful frocks in that dump." "Is the market paying for it or Stavros?" "The market is son, and if I'm lucky I will get a new kitchen out of it too." She smiled and waved to Stavros as she passed by. That night on the landing I talked to the boys about them not taking an interest in the markets every day running, they tried to tell me it runs itself and the manager and Nina have it all sorted. They know they are needed in Gianni's café the most and they were to only bother them if something needed signing. "So it will be shorts and tank tops tomorrow then?" "Yes if you want Antonio." "Well, jeans and shirts are hardly the look we are after." "Yes Antonio." Carlos looked at me with his moo cow eyes, I melted. "Good, then I will have the day off." "What?" They all said in unison. "I have to call into my business and see grandad, he's doing my books tonight." "All right then, we will miss you." "And me I won't be in either," Gianni said. "Where are you going our brother?" "To my warehouse to make sure everything has been shipped and cleaned up." "Okay." They looked down. "We won't be long just an hour or two you can cope." "But it's better when you are all there," Leon said. "I bet it is." Was my sarcastic reply. "Bedtime Gianni, we have to be up early." He was laughing when we went to bed he thinks it was all just a big joke. Four in the bed this morning and Carlos was stunning as I stroked his ass which was nearly in my face. Gianni slipped down the bed and gave me an apology suck, I had to be very quiet. With my husband and son in tow we headed for the warehouses, the ladies were just setting up and grandad was sitting in the tearoom, Lukas disappeared and I heard his giggles coming from within a group of girls. "Good morning grandad how are you feeling?" "Good now Antonio, a good night's sleep did wonders for me and grandma." "I hope she's not going to do my cleaning today is she?" "She did say something about popping in to drop off some food for you all but nothing about cleaning." "Omg has she been cooking since she came back?" "Only a little you know she loves to do that." "Now Antonio, I got the books back yesterday and Stavros's man has done an excellent job of them, but I did double-check." "You got his accountant to do them?" "Yes." He grinned slightly and winked. "So you want Stavros to know how well I am doing." "Precisely son." "So how was it?" "Very good and there's a wad of cash in that paper bag don't lose it." He showed me the two books and my balance was exceptional seeing I hadn't been around so he got me to sign a tax form and I stashed the money into my backpack, well Lukas's carry bag that is. He said there had been no dramas while we were away and all accounts were up to date, I think he just wanted to hand over the cash so I can stash it. I grabbed Lukas and started walking up to Gianni's warehouse. I waved at the boys and they were busy sweeping the floor so I asked where Gianni was and yes he was in the Cartasso warehouse...with Leon and Carlos. I nearly blew my stack when I saw them whose looking after the Café? "What the fuck are you two doing here?" Leon stood up straight. "We had to come and do some orders then we have to check the next shipping deliveries are ready." "And are they?" "Yes Antonio, please do not shout at us." I ran my hand through my hair and looked at Gianni. "Now is the time you tell me you asked Stavros and his mates to look after the Café." He stared at me and dropped his head. "You spoil all our fun Antonio." "Yeah your no fun anymore." "Well buy me a vino and I will show you how much fun I can be." I smiled. Sometimes you have to let it go, for the simple reason, I am dealing with simple folks. I do suspect highly, that they are all very intelligent but they are not showing it to me today or yesterday. I feel like they are playing edging with me all the time, you know they get me to boiling point then turn it off, then they start again and turn it off. I can't wait to boil over and then I will get the release I am rightfully owed. "Are you driving Gianni?" "I am the man, I will drive my family safe and sound to work." His chest puffed up. "Well "the man" let's go." I picked up Lukas's travel bag and headed for the car, I did hear. "But Antonio, we are not finished yet." I turned and shouted so the echo was heard in the next street. "Your finished, come on or I will leave you all here." I opened the car and got into the driver's seat, they are testing me so I backed out of the parking spot and when I looked in my rearview mirror three men were chasing the car. I heard it all on the way to the market so I turned the radio up, it's not far so I didn't get a really good drive of our new car, but it was nice. When I opened the back door of the café I started to take Lukas to the front to be looked after by Alice. What hit me was almost the kettle boiling a big sign that read. `Congratulations Mr and Mr Cartasso.' There were balloons and ribbons everywhere and that's when the party started, tears were happening they hadn't forgotten we got married and gran had the food laid out with a big grin on her face, she hugged me and took Lukas. Gianni put some music on and he and Angelo did a Gypsy dance in the shop, stuff the customers today we were celebrating our wedding. I had thought no one cared if we got married or not because no one said anything. Gino Anna Stavros and his mates even grandad must have driven fast to get here, I guess that was all the stalling me was about. Wine was passed out to everyone walking past and the dancing continued into the market. Gianni finished then he kissed me and he held up both hands and showed everyone our rings, then he yelled. "Antonio Cartasso is no longer a residence at the parks and gardens." What an awful thing to say about his husband. I did chuckle, a lot of shoppers had no idea what the mad Italians were on about. I was not to do a thing, gran fed me and the boys wined me, presents appeared out of nowhere and Sabine helped me open them, she's good at making lists. "Are you surprised, my love?" "Yes Gianni, very surprised and pleased." "Good, we are planning it since Italy but had to wait until you really, really got mad." He laughed. "You will be the death of me you know that Gianni, it's not right you do such things to little old me." "I need to go to the toilet, want to accompany me?" "No, I have a party to go to." I lifted my drink and saluted everyone that walked past. The three new boys Pedro Matt and Ted did the tables with whoever else was there to help out and I thanked everyone then I partied out in the back room, a little too much I believe, Pedro's fine cute ass was the subject of much fondling the others didn't come near me. When they carried me up the stairs I was still singing some shitty song, I know I was. The photos were awesome as Leon had his dick in my mouth along with Carlos's they were doing a double and not to be out done, Gianni was interfering with my ass, but there were three stars that night, Carlos's bum, Leon's dick and Gianni's balls that were deeply buried in my ass. As I scrolled through them I didn't get embarrassed and while Gianni and Leon laughed their asses off I turned and said. "Just got a message from your mama Leon, she loves the pictures." He jumped up and screamed, I laughed more but my headache didn't. I will try and have a good closer look at them later on especially Carlos's dick and ass. My life was like a whirlwind but I mostly didn't care, it was so much better than it was a year ago, our son is almost running and saying many words, I was told he was advanced for his age but gran set me right he was about normal. Gianni and my two boys were on the same level, they will grow up one day but at the moment I love being in their company. Gianni's wines eventually arrived and he invited Iris Wilson to a tasting at his warehouse, he had set up a special room to display the bottles. I was to be there because she likes me and mentioned me by name, it was to be held after work Saturday so I would have Lukas with us. Afterward, we will go to the Italian club to maybe celebrate. Iris and Tony walked into the packed warehouse and immediately took to our son, he had been playing with the plastic on the pallet that held our wedding presents together. "What's his name boys?" "Lukas Iris, he's almost fourteen months old." "He's going to be a heartbreaker I think, now what have you got for me?" "Four new wines if you would come this way please." Gianni was a bundle of nerves as he sat them down and tried not to drop anything, he had lined up his bottles with a dozen small tasting glasses and they both proceeded to try them all. "Sorry Gianni, I have been hanging out to see what you can do, hopefully, you won't disappoint me." "It took forty minutes for them to taste everything twice and when Tony and she placed the bottles into a line I figured they were from best to less. Gianni punched the air I thought he had gone mad as he danced around like a common Gypsy. "You know your wines Gianni, and you noticed didn't you?" "Yes and thank you I didn't have any doubts but you just confirmed what I was hoping for." "And?" I wanted in. "Iris and Tony have placed my wines from best to last and the one she picked as my best last time is now third from the top." He grinned I got it and smiled back, we have three winners. "You have done very well son, for someone as young as you the world is now definitely your oyster. Three wines that top the Cartasso range for different reasons, they are unique and bloody brilliant." She touched the first one and said. "This one is in the top three wines I have ever tasted, and believe me boys I have been around for many years, it's your flagship and you should charge twice the price of your best I'm talking over six hundred a bottle, investment class." Gianni was holding his head, and of course, there were tears. "It's the Italian thing, Iris, he has waited so long to be recognized as a first-class winemaker." "Well you should be very proud of him, Gianni keep the best at the same price and the one in the middle about four hundred a pop. The rest are what they are, good and they will be your money-spinner. Now can I make an order with you then Tony and I have to go and eat?" "Eat with us please Iris, at the Italian club just up the road a little, not far." "I accept your invitation Antonio, and I get to spend some more time with this gorgeous little fella too." "Stand in line Iris, he has many Nona's at that club" I grinned. She made a special order with Gianni's wines his hand was shaking as he wrote it all down. "I will let the others know you are having a wine tasting every day next week be prepared for the stampede, the last time this happened was the launching of the Cartasso flagship but you have surpassed it by many miles." "Okay, thank you many times over both of you, can we have the tastings at the café?" Gianni asked. "Of course you can, it will be easier for you too. I will put the word out." She grinned. "Is this restaurant a dress-up affair boys?" "No Iris but some of the ladies make a special event out of it, you will see, it's more of a big family dinner than a restaurant, good wine and some excellent home cooked meals." Lukas had found our pallet again the bubble wrap intrigued him. "That's the wedding presents we had sent over from Italy. I haven't even seen them yet." I grinned and puffed up. "Congratulations boys so many gifts to unwrap, I think you will have fun doing that and I wish you a very happy marriage." She kissed both of us. "I think our son has already started opening them." I laughed. The Italian club is eight doors up across the road I told Tony to leave his car outside the warehouse and we will stroll up because he won't get a parking spot any nearer, the street was filling up. Gianni started his dance again and wanted to celebrate he also had a few bottles of his finest in Lukas stroller. I carried Lukas this time, I think I got the easier job.