Exactly three months I received my work permit. I’m finally legal. Time evaporated because of Lee’s projects and job adjustments. One Sunday afternoon I sat in my apartment shaking my head wondering, “What the fuck am I doing? I gave up a stable life and a good chance at partnership for this crazy odyssey.” I turned the unused Hong Kong to Tokyo to Chicago airline ticket over and over in my hand. Tomorrow is my mother’s birthday. I haven’t completely changed because her predictable son sent a card and a gift in plenty of time to reach her. I needed to return to Chicago. My apartment remained untouched and my accountant needed me to get my bank accounts and investments squared away. He was sure I was going to be away for quite a while.
As I reached for the telephone to call United the phone started ringing. I could hear Lee’s voice before the phone reached my ear, “What’s up?” He never calls me at home.
“John, I need you to go to San Francisco. When were you planning to go to Chicago?” Before I could reply he continued, “I need you there next Thursday for a meeting with the Goodman guy. I can’t go.”
“Sure, but I need to go to Chicago to get my personal stuff straightened out.”
“Fine.” Click and he was gone. Lee was an enigma. We were together frequently not only at the office but socially. He entertained clients and friends frequently so I got many invitations at varied venues — restaurants, private clubs in Lan Kwai Fong, or in his spectacular apartment near the Peak. He was generous explaining his multiple businesses some he owned outright and others where he was a partner.
My major responsibility was accounting and taxes for the trading company and the thirteen electronics stores in the San Francisco area and Vancouver. As lead accountant I managed eight accountants —three US trained South Asians and the others were British chartered accountants. I was the only westerner. An extensive computer system kept track of Lee’s businesses. He gave me the master security code but I rarely had reason to use it. I insisted that the books be kept according to accepted accounting principles.
Taking the job was the right decision. Because I entered on a visitor’s visa the hassle getting a work permit was prolonged. My apartment was ridiculously expensive. My athletic club was close by. I played basketball game every Thursday which augmented the three times weekly when I worked out.
Lee’s request that I travel was unusual. I worked in Hong Kong except for one short trip to Taiwan. The afternoon shadows were lengthening as I called United Airlines to make a reservation to San Francisco followed by a leg to Chicago before returning to Hong Kong.
I finished that call and immediately the telephone rang. Lee invited me to dinner. He ended the conversation with, “Bring a date.”
“Lee, I haven’t had time to meet anyone that I can invite at the last minute.”
He said, “I’ll take care of it. See you around 20:00 at 1837 Loc Ku Road.”
“Is that your apartment?”
“No. We are entertaining the Japanese. Come prepared.” He hung up. With Lee there was little explanation and his tolerance for inquiry doesn’t exist. Standing before the closet containing three new silk suits made by Sammy the Taylor I decided which one to wear thinking, “What did he mean, ‘Come prepared’?”
I gave the red and grey taxi driver a card where our doorman had written the address in Chinese. As I entered the taxi I said, “1837 Loc Ku Road.” We started before the door was closed. I expected the address to be that of a private club. The streets were crowded with evening shoppers. The Chinese characters in neon gave a warm festive feeling as we drove. The taxi driver slowed and pulled into a familiar courtyard.
It was the place I was dropped off to get warm after being rained on at the Peak. This driver directed me away from the main entrance to a side door. I was graciously greeted by a lovely young woman. She said, “I’m a friend of Lee’s.” I smiled and suspected she was from an escort service. She looked charming in her kimono and silky black hair pulled tightly from her face. My companion was enticing and exotic.
Once inside she began disrobing me by taking my suit jacket. I could have worn blue jeans. The more naked I got the more I thought about the nature of this business meeting. Three Japanese men entered the door that I had entered. The oldest man who was the shortest bowed to me. His assistant was taller and dressed like a Wall Street investment banker in his grey pin stripe, starched white shirt and red power bow tie. Their young associate appeared freshly graduated from the University of Tokyo MBA program. His muscular upper body and biceps uncomfortably filled his silk suit.
Their bowed acknowledgement implying that they knew me. Young women appeared to assist each one of them as they undressed. They were completely at home as they squatted on the tiny stools to be lathered by their companions. I sat on my small stool as Jenny lathered me and rinsed me before drying and wrapping me in a soft floor length robe. The four of us traversed a small open courtyard. I had s short conversation with the first assistant. He commented in perfect English about the spectacular fall day with azure sky.
We slipped behind paper screens to emerge at a small private pool. Lee plus two other men were submerged. Lee did introductions standing naked at the edge of the pool. The relations between the Chinese and Japanese seemed strained at the beginning but got progressively better that the more Scotch was poured. The soaking bath prepared us for the girls drying us and dressing us in kimono-type gowns. The older Japanese man was robed in a red, elaborately embroidered silk kimono. The other robes were less elaborate
Mixed sashimi and sushi started our meal followed by a lacquer box filled with selections with our Japanese guests in mind. The conversation was animated. About 23:00 the older Japanese man nodded off and his assistants had slipped into one of the several side rooms. Even with paper walls closed the sounds informed us of the activities inside. I was getting warmer and warmer as Jenny slipped her silky hand inside my gown and caressed my chest. I glanced at Lee, who motioned me into a room behind us. His smile told me to take advantage of the situation. I gathered my gown knowing I was ready but not wanting to show our guests. Smoothing my shiny gold robe I was self-conscious as I walked in my tented robe.
Jenny and I moved to mats readied with the futons puffed. With the paper wall closed I could see the outline of Jenny’s robe. Jenny was a guy. He came up and put his soft hands inside my robe and slowly, softly started massaging my shoulders. When he moved his hands downward my robe fell open. I tried to pull away but his soft fingers caressed my hard dick. He slowly and seductively removed his immaculate wig. His body was hairless. His shining, brown eyes were perfect accents to his highly dressed face. He pulled me close and bent down and tasted my leaking dick. He looked up smiling as he took my hand and pulled me down. I found it impossible to decide if I was doing the right thing and quickly lost my concentration as he sucked me. When I could not hold off my orgasm I moaned as I let a white, sticky string shoot into the air. He grabbed me and pumped the last drops out. I softly squealed at his persistent touch. He smiled and ejaculated quickly. I could not believe what Lee had done. Lee knew. How did he know I was gay and I wasn’t sure myself?
The sun was approaching perpendicular before I could move from my bed. My legs dangled from the edge of my mattress but would not respond to the commands from my brain. After I used the bathroom I called the office and claimed illness to which my assistant said: “The morning after disease” and chuckled. I laughed with her before gently lowering the telephone receiver back into the cradle. For an unexplained reason I felt a strong urge to take the ferry across the harbor and have lunch at the Regent. It was raining. I dressed in a short-sleeved white shirt with black slacks and leather sandals. As I left my building I opened my umbrella and watched for a red and gray taxi. The umbrella provided minimal protection from the sheets of rain.
The plastic curtains were down on the first class deck of the newly painted Hong Kong-to-Kowloon ferry. Only a few first class passengers were going to Kowloon at noon on a Friday. As I was smoothing my shirt I noticed Andrew. He disappeared after our dinner other than a note slipped under my hotel room door which read: “Leaving town on banking business. Andrew”
We acknowledged each other with a slight wave. He moved and sat three feet from me on the bench. “How are you doing? How’s the job going?”
“Fine.” I must have looked startled.
“Oh, I heard through the bank that Lee had hired an American. I assumed it was you.”
“Yes, it was me.”
“Free for lunch?”
“Funny, I’m on my way to the Regent. And, yes, I would like to lunch with you.” We walked straight through the lobby and took the elevator to his suite. After a few pleasantries he asked what I wanted for lunch. I was standing on his balcony marveling at the view as a waiter wheeled in a fully set table. Andrews stepped out having changed into black slacks but was bare-chested carrying a causal shirt. His well-defined pecs indicated that he spent time in the gym. We walked toward the dining table as the waiter was finishing setting out our meal of lobster salad, fresh mango and pineapple and a bottle of champagne. The crystal goblets sparkled and the bone china was polished to a mirror shine. Andrew threw his shirt on the back of the sofa.
He said after seating himself, “How much do you know about Lee?”
I said, “I don’t know him well. I met him on an airplane flight to Hawaii.” As I told him the details he listened intently, nodding occasionally. “Do you know Lee?” I asked. He avoided the question by asking how much I was travelling for the job. My upcoming trip to San Francisco and Chicago came up, which reminded me that I had not heard confirmation of my reservation. I apologized as I got my cell phone out.
I reached my assistant who said, “Lee called three times looking for you.” Puzzled knowing he had my cell phone number, I hung up after asking her to confirm the reservation and called Lee’s cell phone.
I apologized to Andrew at which point he got up and returned to the living room. I watched as he picks up a pile of airline ticket folders lying on his desk. My conversation with Lee took two minutes as he told me to take a sheaf of papers lying on my desk to a lawyer in San Francisco. He told me how to send him a report since he is leaving for a week or two of sailing in the South Pacific.
I hung up. My gaze caused Andrew to ask, “Something wrong?”
Intending to say,” Nothing.” Instead I said, “Lee never ceases to surprise me, that’s all.”
“What do you mean?” Andrew pressed.
“Well, he said he was off to the South Pacific for one, two or three weeks. For someone so busy and intent on getting the details right it seems odd to me. He said he decided this morning.”
Andrew shrugged, “John, when did you say you are going back to the US?”
“Next Thursday,” I said blankly.
“Do you mind companionship?”
“No, why? Are you going to the States?”
“I hadn’t really planned to but I have been thinking of getting off of this rock for a while. Why don’t we go to Hawaii first?”
“I guess we could. I can change the reservations. I have to be in San Francisco by next Thursday.”
“Don’t worry. When can you leave?”
Boldly, I volunteered. “Saturday, I guess. Interested in camping in Kauai?”
“Too late for that.” Andrew responded. “It can be really rainy over there this late in the year.”
I sat back on the couch listening to the pulsating beat of the “Girl from Ipanema” vibrating from the double bass woofers. The persistent beat worked on me like a sedative. Andrew slipped away. I heard the telephone ring with two sharp ear-piercing rings. Andrew, completely naked, picked up the telephone. The conversation was “Yes, yes, no, at 20:30, Goodbye.” I could not take my sleepy eyes off his taut physique, rounded butt cheeks and flaccid dick. I loudly whispered in his direction, “It seems like every time I sit on this couch I fall asleep.” He smiled unconcerned about his nakedness. He stepped onto the deck. The afternoon is crystal clear but hot. The puffy white clouds had a gray edges left over from the earlier rain. I followed his totally bronzed body outside. He was totally at ease and invited me to join him on the other chaise lounge. I undressed leaving my clothes in a pile on the couch. My body of uneven white tones was never totally exposed outside the bathroom. The black hair on my chest and legs was in stark contrast to my skin.
Looking at Andrew I felt myself getting hard. Before I had a chance to cover myself I was at full erection. He laughed politely looked away. “You need something to screw?”
“Not really I was with an escort last night. She took care of me. I guess I was thinking about the girls in Hawaii.”
“Weren’t you with the Japanese from Niro Industries last night?
His quick response caused me to say. ”Yes, whatever I say now will be stupid.” I began sobbing uncontrollably. Andrew got up and sat beside me on the lounge patting my leg.
“Anything I can do?” he spoke softly. I kept crying. He put his hand on my shoulder like a big brother. No more words were spoken. My body shuddered as I lay motionless on the lounge staring through my teary eyes at the billowy cotton clouds and his gentle face. I closed my eyes. I felt his lips touch mine. I opened my mouth to let his tongue in. He lay beside me for long minutes before taking my hand. He pulled me up and gently led me.
I nervously stepped across the living room and toward his magnificent bed with floor to ceiling mahogany head and foot boards. Leaving the cool black marble, my feet sunk into the plush white carpet accented with small Persian prayer rugs. He held my hand as he threw back the quilted bed coverlet of flowery satin. He pulled me down on top of him as he kept his mouth softly touching mine. He gently and quietly kissed my chest before moving to my nipples. I felt sensations that I had never felt before. He slid down my body and gently took my penis into his mouth. My mind was not functioning as I let the experience flood over me. Without warning my warm milk shot skyward. He licked me clean. I didn’t move and fell asleep.
I was moist and warm when Andrew, already dressed, gently shook my shoulder. Straightening myself I said, “I must have drifted off.” He looked at me and smiled. He held my hand, sitting silently on the edge of the bed as we watched the sun slowly descend toward the western horizon. Softly in the background I heard the doorbell jingle. The sound caused me to realize that I was totally naked.
“Get dressed and come meet my friends.” Embarrassed I looked at Andrew for explanation. He handed me a soft white robe which I quickly drew around myself. “Don’t worry. I put clean clothes on the bed for you. There is a clean towel in the shower,” pointing toward his bathroom.
At the foot of the bed Andrew had laid out clothes which are neatly folded. My clothes were in a bag, clearly indicating I was not supposed to wear them to his party. His clothes were several notches above anything I owned. I could see a billowy silk shirt with brown and gold palm fronds. I held it up against the dark chocolate silk trousers. The worn brown belt matched the toe straps of the sandals on the floor beside the bed. He had clean underwear laid out but I decided to go without any.
He entered through the sliding door after I had showered. “You like the clothes I picked out for you? I think you and I are the same size.”
I picked up the silk boxers, “I won’t wear these”.
“You don’t need to wear them if you don’t want to. I rarely do.” I put them back on the bed and pulled up the soft silk trouser legs. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” My nostrils were aware of the sweet, spicy aroma of Szechwan food.
Andrew’s friends were Americans, a Brit and Chinese all was to find out had been educated abroad. The one person who was not any of these nationalities was a woman named Mazil from Zaire. She was tall, perhaps 5’8” but appeared taller, and couldn’t have weighed one hundred pounds. Her dark chocolate skin glowed. She was connected to their foreign mission. She and I talked about Chicago and Los Angeles, places where she had been stationed. Our conversation made me realize how much I missed Chicago-style pizza.
Cocktails started at 19:00; dinner was multi-course with Chinese fare that finished about 22:30. The group stood on the deck and drank thick dark coffee with brandy or brandy alone until 23:00. People began to leave. I for up to say “Goodbye” until Andrew grabbed my arm, “Don’t go yet, we need to plan.”
I dutifully held back but said, “Andrew, not for long. I really need to get some sleep.”
He laughed, “Sleep here! What are you doing from 3 to 7 tomorrow?” My quivering legs told me I had to be in bed soon. “You seem plenty awake to me.”
“I’m fine.” At that moment memory of my sobbing rushed into my mind. “Yeah, yeah, I’m back to normal. I don’t know what came over me. I guess I miss Chicago-style pizza more than I realized. I really do have to go. My clothes…I’ll change and see you soon.”
“Meet me for squash tomorrow around 17:30 at the Hong Kong Squash and Tennis Club. It’s right off Robinson Road but way out. Taxi will know.”
Secure that my answer would signal that the club is not a good meeting opportunity I said, “I don’t play squash.”
That didn’t slow him down. “I’ll teach you.”
“OK, what do I wear — tennis whites or clothes for working out?”
“We’re the same size. I’ll bring the clothes and you bring your tennis shoes.” Don’t change clothes. The clothes are yours.”
Traffic was light traveling back to my apartment. From the open taxi window the warm night air blew into my face. With my head back against the taxi seat I thought about how much my life had changed. Letters and emails from friends at home were less frequent. I called Mother and Father twice a month. They were more interested in telling me what was going on in their lives and that of their grandkids than hearing about my life.
I couldn’t figure out my crying. I haven’t cried like I did this afternoon since I fell off my bicycle in the fifth grade. At a funeral before I left my eyes filled but I didn’t cry. Brad and Jennifer, good friends, lost their baby to SDS. That was tragic because they had tried for so long and wanted that baby so much. Even with such a tragedy I didn’t sob. I felt embarrassed but I couldn’t help myself. I was not happy or sad but was ready to accept the fact that I was gay. I couldn’t deny how much I enjoyed having sex with Andrew.
At work the next day I was busy preparing for the trip. Andrew and I played squash and watched others play as he described different styles and tactics. After showering, Andrew surprised me by asking me again how much I knew about Lee. I briefly repeated the story and he acted like he hadn’t heard it before. “Lee just sat down at the right time in my life.” I laughed and he sat quietly.
Slightly smirking he said, “Well, hell, you’ll have him for a long time, let me assure you.” I chose not to ask what he meant because I figured there would be plenty of time to find out.