"Over the great bridge, with the sunlight flickering through the girders, casting moving shadows upon the cars, the city rises across the river in white heaps and sugar lumps, all built with a wish out of non-olfactory money."
"The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and beauty in the world."
These were the words used to describe the enchanting city of New York—an iconic, almost mythical landscape that seemed like it was lifted from a painting.
No wonder, then, that countless film crews often chose New York for shooting. Every frame captured the raw beauty of the city, evoking emotions in the audience.
Anita's crew was also planning to shoot in the State of New York for a while.
This gave Anita the perfect opportunity to sneak away.
So, on the first day of filming, this beautiful star couldn't wait to return to Greenland Villa to see John.
It had been fifteen years since she last saw him, and she couldn't help but wonder what he looked like now.
Thinking about it, Anita couldn't help but feel a little down. Her sisters had really done a fantastic job of keeping secrets.
She'd asked them over and over for a video call to see "little John"—even a few photos would do—but they always refused. Their response was always, "John wants to keep the mystery. You'll have to come back to see him."
Anita had grumbled in frustration. She loved her sisters, but they were certainly playing hard to get.
While the city's breathtaking views were a huge draw for Anita's trip, the underlying reason was clear: she wanted to see John.
The entertainment industry was a jungle. To stand out as a young woman, Anita had to make many sacrifices, especially in such a dangerous world where power and influence dictated success.
She had learned to play the game. Behind her stood powerful figures in Houston, ensuring no one would dare mess with her. Because of this, no one would ever drag her into those chaotic, debauched parties that others in the industry often frequented.
Anita was one of the few girls in the industry who could stay protected, unscathed by the clutches of power players.
She arrived at Greenland Villa wearing a black hat, a black mask, a windbreaker, and a high collar that covered her neck—her entire figure concealed except for her tall, graceful form.
As soon as she walked in, she grabbed Queenie's hand, eager, and before even removing her mask, she blurted, "Where's little John? Let me see him!"
Anita rarely came back to Greenland Villa. She stayed in her apartment in Rochester for most visits, partly to protect her sisters. If paparazzi ever found their home, it could cause trouble.
But today, she couldn't resist the pull. She wanted to see John, and she was willing to take the risk of coming back to Greenland Villa.
Queenie and the others had already known she was coming. They hadn't seen Anita in a while, and naturally, they were excited to catch up.
But when it came to John, Queenie gave Anita a look of sympathy. "Anita, it's really unfortunate... John's not home. He won't be back for a few days."
"Not home?" Anita's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean? I told you I'd be back today. Why didn't you tell John?" Anita's tone had a note of complaint.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see the others. It was just that she'd come all the way back, hoping to see John, only for him to be out.
Queenie shrugged, her expression innocent. "I did tell him you'd be back, and he agreed. But yesterday, he got a phone call and had to leave."
"Yes," Kate added. "John had something important to deal with—a patient from another state, critically ill. He won't be back for a few days."
Anita nodded, but there was an undercurrent of disappointment in her voice. "Fifteen years, and the little John doesn't even miss me? It's a little sad."
"Don't say that," Tracy quickly interjected, sensing Anita's unhappiness. "It's just that John was needed elsewhere. There's nothing we could do. You know how much he cares for his patients."
While Tracy's words seemed genuine, the truth was that they were all in on a secret plan to surprise Anita. They'd hidden John's whereabouts to make his eventual appearance all the more impactful.
Anita sighed, her mood lifting slightly. "It's just unfortunate I haven't seen him yet. Can you show me a photo of him, at least?"
The sisters exchanged nervous glances.
There was a problem. They couldn't show Anita any photos. They had a surprise in store for her, and if they let her see pictures now, the magic would be ruined.
The silence stretched, and Anita's impatience grew. She clenched her fists in mock anger. "I've asked for photos before, and you refused. Now I'm back, and still no photos? This is too harsh!"
Alice, ever the flirt, blinked her seductive eyes and flashed a sheepish grin. "Anita, it's not that we don't want to show you. The truth is, we haven't taken any photos at all. You see, little John... well, he's a bit shy. A very shy boy."
"Really?" Anita narrowed her eyes, suspicious. She fixed her gaze on Tracy, who was standing closest.
Tracy's face immediately flushed. Alice's words were outrageous, but for the sake of the surprise, she decided to play along.
"Shy?" Anita raised an eyebrow. It was hard to imagine John, the man she remembered, as shy. He'd never seemed shy in their past encounters.
Tracy was aware of this—how could she not be? If John had been shy, he wouldn't have pulled her close, teaching her about acupuncture while subtly asking her to "lower" her body. He definitely wouldn't have emphasized the need for her to arch her back.
John wasn't shy; he was a charmer. A complete hooligan at times.
But she nodded anyway, albeit reluctantly. "Yes, little John is very shy. I've never met a boy as shy as him."