"I'm back, Chody," pagbabalita ni Ysrael sa kaibigan. Kadarating niya lang galing ng Italy. He had to meet up with an important person. He should have done it sooner, naunahan lang siya ng takot.
Narinig niya ang pamilyar na masiglang tinig nito. He had always been perky and energetic.
"You have received my e-mails, right?" anito.
Napaisip siya. Lately ay hindi na niya halos maharap iyon. He had been so busy with his new-found friend and ally. Wala na siyang oras para intindihin ang trabaho.
Chody has always been efficient in running his company. Inalalayan siya nito mula ng mamatay ang nag-iisa niyang kapatid. Naging temporary guardian din ito ni Angel habang hinahanap niya ang sarili at sinisimulang gawing tama ang lahat.
Mabuti na lang at may love life na rin ito sa katauhan ni Sharon, ang isa sa investors nila. Opposite poles, but they found love at each other's arm.
Napangiti siya. Nabigla siya how he has changed in the past four weeks in Italy. It was quite a revelation. Naroon na siya sa ‘acceptance stage’ sa pagkawala ng kapatid. At least now, he would feel sad remembering his sister’s death but not that painful. God truly has His reasons.
Jeddah can rest in peace and would not feel pain due to her sickness. Her daughter is coping well, so he has to be stronger. Ngayon siya kailangan ni Angel, hindi niya ito bibiguin.
Biglang bumagal ang pagpapatakbo niya ng kotse nang makita ang billboard sa taas ng malaking shopping center. Dati ay sarili niya ang nakikita roon ngayon ay isa ng modelong babae.
He was looking at a familiar face. Nagmamaneho siya ng sasakyan ng mga sandaling iyon. Halos mangawit ang leeg niya sa pagtingala sa billboard.
Adam and Eve. Iyon ang pangalan ng kumpanya niya.
And that face?
Hindi siya nakuntento, inurong niya ang sasakyan para lang mabistahan itong mabuti.
The model is wearing their latest lingerie collection for women. Hindi ito nakatingin sa camera, bale profile lamang nito ang nakikita niya.
It was a red lace bra and panty that Sharon has designed. She was wearing next to nothing. Maganda at artistic ang pagkakakuha ng modelo. Maganda ang lighting at lumabas ang intricate designs ng kanilang produkto. Hindi ito mukhang bastusin kahit salat sa tela ang suot.
She's the ultimate Eve.
The model looks like a goddess. She looked like Aphrodite with the natural waves of her hair. Animo nililipad ng hangin sa dalampasigan. Her curvaceous hips would make a man fantasize and a woman filled with envy.
Napalunok siya nang mafocus nag atensyon niya sa mayayamang dibdib nito. It was erotic and seductive, a natural temptress without placing too much effort.
Halos karamihan sa mga nagdadaang sasakyan ay humihinto talaga para mabistahang mabuti ang billboard.
Narinig niya si Chody na may sinasabi sa kabilang linya ngunit hindi na niya iyon maintindihan. He was shocked.
Parang may kabayong sumipa sa sikmura niya. A bittern churn in his stomach.
How many people have seen that billboard? Hundreds? Millions? What about on television and internet?
Damn it!
Nasuntok niya ang manibela.
"Are you alright?" nabigla si Chody sa biglang emosyon niya.
"Tell me, kailan pa nagkaroon ng billboard si Olive at halos ibandera niya ang katawan sa kung sinu-sinong tao?" halos umusok ang ilong niya sa galit. He could feel his jaw tighten.
