The Temple of Heaven

by Z. Allora

  His phone vibrated before he could set it aside. It couldn’t be. It was.

  I’m free!

  I didn’t mean to wake you. Tian Di’s heart danced happily.

  How could he not adore this man? Jordon Davis was everything he imagined Sakura Rose to be, and more. He didn’t know Jordon at all, not really. There were only a few people Tian Di actually wanted to spend time with, and none of them fit him so well.

  An almost instant text rattled Tian Di’s phone. I’m up… very up if you know what I mean.

  Oh-ho. Jordon had a bit of spice to him, and Tian Di loved it. Before he could think of what to type, his cell indicated another text.

  My brothers gave me a sleeping med. It hasn’t kicked in but has made me loopy. I was sketching.

  What were you sketching?

  You. I shouldn’t say that. But you, you, you…. God, you’re beautiful.

  Tian Di was used to people hitting on him with empty compliments, but with Jordon… there was a sincerity that touched him and made him blush.

  Thank you.

  No, like I knew you were pretty & sexy, but you’re beautiful. There’s just something about you. It’s weird. I feel like I’ve known you 4ever!

  It wasn’t odd to him at all. Maybe lying alone in the dark gave Tian Di the courage he needed to confess something.

  I feel that too.

  A giant, happy-face emoji with heart eyes filled Tian Di’s phone screen and was followed by, Glad we exchanged numbers. I’m rambling.

  You are jet lagged and it’s 1 in the morning.

  I’m usually up late. Sometimes I don’t sleep for days, there’s too much to paint. Zack (brother) says I’m 20 lbs. of crazy in a 10 lb. bag. LOL

  I think you’re a 1000 kilos of wonderful!

  The next text vibrating Tian Di’s phone read OXOXOX followed by Do you know what O & X mean?

  Hugs and Kisses. OXOXOXO back!

  There was a pause. Tian Di tapped his ring against the phone. Had Jordon fallen asleep? Maybe he should—

  Another text vibrated. But this is stupid for your singing career.

  What?

  Us.

  Tian Di twisted his ring. It felt tight.

  There was no denying Jordon’s point. Them getting involved invited trouble. It might be career suicide, and he knew his career should be more important to him than someone he’d just met, but… if Made in China worked out, some people would think it was because he had played the whore to curry favor. If it didn’t, they’d blame him for blowing their chance. So you don’t want to see me?

  It scares me how much I want to see you, spend time with you, kiss you….

  Tian Di shivered. Me too, Jordon.

  I guess we’re going to be stupid. Jordon’s honesty was irresistible.

  I am good with that. And he really was.

  So, sightseeing tomorrow morning?

  Yes. 8 tomorrow morning? Was that too early? Maybe he should—

  Great! It’s dumb but I miss you already.

  Wow. Tian Di hadn’t taken sleeping pills laced with honesty, so when he texted back Me too, he had no excuse.

  Night came through with an artist emoji.

  Get some sleep. Have honeyed dreams. Tian Di’s grandfather would always say that when he tucked him and his sister into bed.

  Jordon responded with I will if I dream of you.

  So sweet. Nothing like the men he’d known. It was the first time he felt he could share all of himself and wasn’t made sorry for doing so.

  ZHANG MIN shifted closer to her computer screen. “You look different, Tian Di. Why are you calling so early?”

  Maybe a video chat with his sister wasn’t the best idea, but he couldn’t stop his smile from widening.

  “Zhang Min, what do you mean?”

  She sat back and folded her arms in that stubborn way of hers. “Either you’re super excited about the tour starting or you’ve met someone.”

  Tian Di might burst if he didn’t tell her. “I met someone.”

  “And?”

  “He’s sweet, funny, smart, talented, and it’s a really bad idea.”

  “With this gush of affection, I think you’ve already fallen for him.”

  Had he? “It’s too early for that. He’s the younger brother of the Dark Angels’ drummer.”

  “How young?”

  Not the issue. “He’s twenty.”

  “Old enough, but that’s still setting yourself on fire and hoping there’s enough water to put out the flames.”

  “I know.” Tian Di sighed. “I’m seeing him in a few minutes to show him Suzhou.”

  She stared at him for a while. Many emotions crossed her expression, from excited to worried, ending on resigned. “This is your big musical break, and I know you don’t want to ruin your chance.”

  “It’s everything I’ve worked for my entire life.” He dropped his head into his hands as his heart screamed it wanted Jordon.

  Zhang Min nodded. “I know.”

  He peeked at her, hoping she might help him sort out the crazy. “But I really like him.”

  “Keep in mind you just met this guy.” She could always be counted on to be practical, and she wasn’t wrong.

  “I know.” He was compelled to add, “It’s hard to describe. I feel like he’s meant to be mine. It’s insane, but I can’t stop thinking about him, and it’s as if there was nothing before him that was even remotely important.”

  Zhang Min’s mouth dropped open, and she stared at him. “You sound like Ye Ye.”

  Their grandfather had told them stories of when he first saw their grandmother and he knew right then he would make her his wife. She gave him a fine chase, but after fifty-eight years of marriage, her eyes still sparkled when she glanced in his direction. Tian Di didn’t think that would ever exist for him.

  He opened his mouth and closed it before he said something dumb.

  Zhang Min tilted her head and studied him. “Maybe this is the real thing. Spend time with him and see.”

  Tian Di wished he could hug her, because that was what he needed to hear.

  “Do what will make you happy. Text me later.” She signed off.

  He grabbed his bag and headed over to Jordon’s hotel. Zhang Min’s words chased around his brain. She had never been traditional, but telling him to focus on his own happiness before the greater good, that bordered on sounding like Indigo.

  To date the Dark Angels’ drummer’s baby brother would make Tian Di crazy! What was he thinking? His selfishness could wreck Made in China’s big break. One word from the manager and no American record label would ever touch Made in China or him again. The band would sputter out of existence, and him with it.

  No, this was just sightseeing. It would be rude not to show someone from a different country around Suzhou. It—

  There he was. Tian Di’s heart triple-timed.

  Jordon stood outside his hotel, leaning on the railing overlooking the lake. The early morning sun’s angle silhouetted him in gold, making the waves in his hair catch the light and sparkle. He turned as if he felt Tian Di’s closeness.

  “Zǎo ān!” Jordon said good morning in Mandarin with the most precious American accent.

  Every logical and rational intention disappeared. Tian Di tried not to quicken his steps, but failed. “Wow, Chinese. You’ve been studying?”

  “Nah, that’s where my language skills end. I see my objective as helping you refine your perfect English.” Jordon’s grin shoved any fear of playing with trouble out of Tian Di’s head.

  Tian Di chuckled. “Have you had breakfast?”

  Jordon glanced quickly at the hotel as they strolled past. “Um, no. I just left a note under Zack’s door and slipped out.”

  Warning bells blared. “Are you hiding that we’re—”

  “I’m just not advertising our little adventure. I think it would be best, don’t you?”

  Hating that he was right, Tian Di changed the subject. “We can go to the 7-Eleven
store before we go to the subway.”

  Uniformed school kids trudged past, showing only a little interest in Jordon, which suggested they went to the International School. They didn’t give a second glance to Jordon’s blond hair.

  Tian Di held the convenience store door open for Jordon.

  “Oh, look at this. It’s just like back home, only the products are different.” He stared at the bags of potato chips. “Spicy crab? Cucumber? Shrimp chips? This is amazing.”

  “I’m going to get us some buns. This shop gets their bao from a Singaporean expat, and they’re delicious.” Tian Di bagged two buns.

  “I’ll get the drinks. Preferences?” Jordon asked as he headed toward the refrigerated section.

  “A green tea.” Even though he would have preferred something else, his grandmother would be pleased. She taught him having green tea at least once a day could prevent many diseases and problems.

  Jordon grabbed a green tea and a rose tea, which made Tian Di smile.

  At the register, Tian Di paid because Jordon gaped openmouthed at the condoms behind the counter. He turned toward Tian Di looking for answers. “This package is called Jizz Boom. These are labeled Yummy Covers. And this has lines to measure….”

  “How much.” The man behind the counter tried to explain in English to Jordon.

  Tian Di waved off the helpful clerk. He guided Jordon outside.

  Shaking his head, Jordon frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be an ugly American, but the translations caught me off guard.”

  “Yeah, I guess I don’t think in English, so I don’t even process the exact translation, but Yummy Covers…?”

  Jordon snorted. “I don’t mean to be immature, though that cracks me up.”

  “It’s okay. Once I saw a note over bathroom urinals: ‘Sharp forward and show your civilization.’ I burst out laughing, and between the looks from the other men and one older man who called me thirteen o’clock, which means crazy, I ran out of there.” Using a napkin, Tian Di reached into the bag, and handed a warm bun to Jordon.

  Their fingers brushed. Memories of what those tentative fingers felt like on Tian Di’s body made him want them driving him insane again. The way Jordon grinned at him, Tian Di was certain Jordon knew what he’d been thinking.

  “Thanks.” Jordon examined the outside of the bun. He broke the bun open and sniffed the meat.

  “It’s barbecued pork. The buns are baked daily and are delicious.” Tian Di demonstrated by biting into his, and he groaned as the soft, doughy bun gave way for the sweet meat flavor that exploded over his tongue.

  Jordon stopped dead and shook his head. “God, Tian Di. Please don’t make those sounds out here. I want to hold your hand really bad, but I know we can’t.”

  Maybe the admission that he’d affected Jordon shouldn’t have pleased Tian Di so much, but it did. “Come on. The train won’t be crowded this early.”

  Jordon walked a few steps and bit into the bun. “Mmmmm, these are so good.” He covered his mouth and talked around the food.

  It was Tian Di’s turn to wish Jordon wouldn’t torture him in public. He focused on eating and sipping his tea.

  Tian Di waved to a group of about a dozen women doing tai chi. Many waved back with their red fans once they went to the top of their pose. “I usually join them a couple of times a week.”

  “Maybe I could sketch one of the classes,” Jordon mused, but kept pace with Tian Di.

  They finished the pork buns and drinks, tossed the trash, and stepped into the quiet, yet still bustling, station.

  Jordon glanced around the relatively new station. “It’s so modern.”

  Tian Di led Jordon to the machines on the wall to purchase a subway pass. “I guess a seven-day pass is enough?”

  “Seven days never felt this short before,” muttered Jordon.

  Tian Di was now more driven than ever to pack decades of fun into the few hours they had today.

  Jordon accepted the colorful subway card and traced his finger across the artwork of the skyline. He glanced up with emotions that tore at Tian Di’s heart. “This is going to be hard, isn’t it?”

  Nodding, Tian Di said something his grandmother always said. “I feel like a mouse in a broom store with too much rice scattered on the floor.”

  Tilting his head, Jordon asked, “Meaning the broom shop owner is going to sweep away the rice before the mouse eats his fill, right?”

  Tian Di stared into Jordon’s watery, emerald green eyes. What could he say? “There’s not enough time in the world to have all the rice I want… with you.”

  “Attention! Line 1 is arriving,” the station speakers blared, nipping the romance of the moment.

  Sighing, Tian Di waved him forward. “Come on. That’s our train.”

  Swiping their cards across the machine made the gates open. They jogged down the stairs and stepped into an almost empty subway car with time to spare. Even though there were plenty of seats available, they sat side by side.

  Jordon pressed closer than necessary, but Tian Di wouldn’t complain. He drank in the heat of Jordon’s lean body. A throat clearing yanked Tian Di out of all the wonderful things he could do to Jordon’s body. “Um, so I haven’t even told you where we’re going.”

  “I’ll go anywhere with you.”

  No games. No pretense. Jordon’s straightforward honesty terrified Tian Di, because he had an overwhelming need to get used to Jordon’s sincerity. “I thought since the Suzhou Museum hours begin at nine, we should get there when the doors open.”

  “Sounds great. I love museums. Usually I go with Zack or Justin.”

  “Now, Justin is your brother’s….”

  Jordon quietly said, “He helped raise me after my mom kicked me out.”

  “Kicked you out? Why did she do—” Tian Di shut his mouth, shocked at how he could ask such a personal question like he had the right to know.

  The train slowed to a stop, and the only other two people in their car got off.

  Tilting his head toward him, Jordon said, “She kicked both me and my brother Zack out for being an abomination.”

  “Abomination?” Maybe Tian Di’s translation or definition was off.

  “I guess telling her I was gay while her church group was over wasn’t the best choice.” Jordon sighed.

  Not seeing any cameras, Tian Di moved his shoulder bag so he could hold Jordon’s hand under it, wishing he could ease the pain. “My mom refuses to acknowledge… anything about me. It’s not the same, but that’s one of the biggest reasons I left Hong Kong. I couldn’t live in the box my family had built for me.”

  “I’m sorry.” Jordon’s sincerity touched a place inside.

  “I have my sister who accepts me, and I still visit my family, though I know they won’t accept… me.” Tian Di left it at that.

  Jordon squeezed Tian Di’s hand and touched his musical note ring. He stared down at their interlocked hands. “Sweet ring.”

  “In China, during some wedding ceremonies, people put their ring on their index finger since that’s a meridian, or place that connects directly to the heart.”

  “Oh, this is how you tell everyone you married music?” Jordon smiled at him. “It’s very Phantom of the Opera of you.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Dumb reference. The lead of the play has a choice between music and the man she loves.”

  Music over love. That had never even been a question until Jordon. How could a few short hours with someone change Tian Di’s outlook so dramatically?

  Tian Di swallowed. “That used to be an easy choice for me….”

  Jordon’s lips parted—

  “Attention. Now arriving at Lindun Lu,” the speakers called out.

  Tian Di was almost relieved to not hear Jordon’s response. Everything spun too fast, but he didn’t want the feelings to end.

  “This is us.”

  They left the train, hiked up two sets of stairs, and stepped into the heart of downtown Suzhou
.

  Jordon did a 360. “Wow. This is impressive. High-rises, a busy six-lane road, and a buttload of department stores.”

  Tian Di smiled and pointed across the road. “That’s one of Suzhou’s walking streets, meaning there’s no car traffic, or at least there shouldn’t be. There is a temple in the center, souvenir shops, restaurants, tailors, clothing shops, and more department stores.”

  “It’s funny. I knew China was modern. I’ve been to Beijing, but it’s still surprising.” Jordon stared at the cars honking their horns as they zipped past a man pedaling his pedicab, hauling a couple of older women.

  Tian Di waved off the offer of a ride and led Jordon down a side street. “That’s the Lion Grove Garden. There’s a rockery maze, pond, and a hundred-year-old teahouse. We… I mean, you, should see it before you—”

  Jordon’s shoulder bumped his. “Just so you know, I’ll be on the whole Asia leg of the tour.”

  Things brightened a little bit. More time. “Yeah? That’s great.”

  They turned down onto another walking street.

  Stopping dead, Jordon shook his head and stared at the museum. “What an incredible legacy. This building is said to be one of I. M. Pei’s final designs. Look at the clean shapes of white outlined by the black roofs.”

  Tian Di fished for words. “The building is very traditional for Suzhou, but—”

  “Somehow modern and sleek.” Jordon traced his fingers in front of him like he was drawing the building in the air.

  “Yes, exactly.” Tian Di enjoyed having someone other than his sister finishing his thoughts.

  “The simplicity gives the building a crisp clarity that… wow, the man was a master.”

  “I. M. Pei did the glass triangle at the Louvre, right?” Maybe Tian Di should have studied to be a better tour guide.

  “Yeah, the glass symmetric triangle was his design.” Jordon snapped some pictures from every angle Tian Di could imagine.

  “I guess architecture is really the art of buildings.” Tian Di had never made that connection before, but seeing the world through Jordon’s eyes, he couldn’t miss it.

  Jordon grinned at him. “Yes!”

  Jordon’s cell rang. After looking at his phone, he exhaled and answered. “Hey, Zack…. No. No, I’m fine. I’m just going into the museum. I have my wallet and the hotel keycard. No. No, you don’t have to meet me at the museum. Don’t you want the day to spend with Andrew? Nah, I’m good. Really good. Yes, I’m fine. I’ll catch you later.”