"It's been three years now; you're really a happy couple," Andrew said as the four of them met up—himself, Veron, Edward, and Faith's boyfriend.
"Yeah, we've stayed together, against all odds," Edward replied, putting his arm around Faith. "Right?" he asked her.
Faith barely moved this time, and Andrew noticed she wasn't her usual self—she seemed out of it, surprised even that Edward's girlfriend was asking her a question.
She blinked slowly. "Y-Yeah," she answered hesitantly with a weak smile directed at Veron and Andrew.
Andrew's concern deepened. "Are you okay, Faith?" he asked gently.
"H-Huh? I'm fine. Sorry, I'm just really tired today," she replied softly.
Andrew just nodded. He could tell something was off with Faith. Something's wrong between those two, he thought quietly, letting out a heavy sigh.
He glanced at the time; it was getting late, and they needed to leave soon. He saw Faith struggling to keep her eyes open.
Veron chuckled softly at Faith's sleepy state.
"I think we should head home now—she's getting drowsy," Veron said.
"Yeah, I just need to drop her off," Edward joked. "What a sleepyhead." He shook his head with a grin.
Edward paid for their meal. Suddenly, he tapped Andrew on the shoulder.
"Another time, Andrew," he said.
"No worries," Andrew replied.
"Come on," Andrew called to Veron.
She nodded and took his hand. They started walking together, Veron linking arms with him. Andrew looked back at Faith and Edward.
At first, he smiled at the sight of Edward helping Faith walk, but something didn't sit right.
They headed in a different direction. Andrew noticed bruises on Faith's legs, and his brows furrowed deeply.
A strange feeling gripped him.
"Hon, you go on to the car first," he whispered to Veron.
"Why?" she asked, puzzled.
"I just need to check on something."
He didn't wait for her reply and quietly followed them. Edward's car was parked in a different lot.
Andrew observed Mariely carefully—her body language and how much she'd had to drink earlier.
No way. No way.
He quickened his pace and thankfully caught up with her.
Edward was on the phone, staring at Faith. Andrew's mind screamed that something terrible would happen to Faith if he didn't act now.
Edward was about to drive when Andrew casually approached and tapped on his window. Edward looked surprised but rolled it down. A smile crept across Edward's face.
"Did you forget something, man?" Edward asked.
Andrew glanced casually at Faith.
Sleeping pills, Andrew thought. That's why she's sleeping so unnaturally.
"I just got a call from Veron's mom. She said there's a small celebration tomorrow, and we need to take Faith with us," Andrew lied smoothly.
Edward raised his eyebrows, clearly sizing up whether Andrew was telling the truth.
"I'll keep her company and bring her back to Veron's condo tomorrow," Andrew added.
"Her mom really wants to see Faith, and they've prepared for it. Don't worry, I'll take care of her," he assured Edward.
Andrew saw Edward's disappointment, but he didn't want to spoil his image in front of him, so he nodded.
Andrew immediately lifted Faith into his arms.
"By the way, here's the money. Sorry for the trouble," Andrew smiled.
"That's embarrassing, but of course, if you offer, I'll accept," Edward replied, taking the ten thousand pesos Andrew handed him.
"Just take care of my princess, Andrew," Edward said.
"Yeah," Andrew smiled.
He watched Edward speed off, carrying a completely unconscious Faith.
Andrew quickly returned to his car, where Veron was waiting.
"Hon?" Veron asked, startled.
"I'll explain later," Andrew said as he placed Faith, limp like a vegetable, in the backseat.
Veron only nodded silently. Andrew sighed, started the engine, and drove off.
"What exactly happened?" Veron asked worriedly, glancing at Mariely.
"Edward gave her sleeping pills earlier," Andrew said quietly.
"Sleeping pills?" Veron frowned deeply, gasping as the thought hit her.
"No way. How did I not notice him giving her sleeping pills? That—" She stopped herself, shaking her head.
***
Andrew drove silently while Veron watched their friend in the backseat.
"I don't know exactly what happened, but earlier, I had a bad feeling. If I hadn't followed and taken Faith away, she might have been raped," Andrew said softly.
Veron stared at him, shocked.
"R-Rape? W-Why do you say that?" she asked, trembling.
"Think about why he gave her those pills. One reason could be to do something terrible to Faith," Andrew said firmly.
Veron was speechless, unsure how to respond.
"T-That's too much, Andrew. We know Edward loves and cares for Mariely," she finally said, defensive but doubtful.
"Love and care? Really? Because I noticed bruises on Faith's leg," Andrew replied.
"Let's check her thoroughly when we get to your condo," he added, noticing Veron's intent to look at Faith's injuries.
Veron felt her heart race with dread. What if Andrew was right? His instincts had never failed her before.
Faith was still asleep—she didn't normally sleep like that.
When they arrived at the condo, Andrew carried Mariely inside. Veron gathered her courage and prepared clothes for her friend.
She noticed Faith was sweating and trembling as she undressed her.
Her hands shook as she saw the bruises—some fresh, some old—covering Faith's body.
Who did this to her? She wondered in horror.
There was a knock on the door. Veron hurried to dress Faith in pajamas and opened the door to Andrew.
"Veron?" he asked, seeing tears in her eyes.
She nodded. "There are bruises, not just on her legs but other parts of her body too." She couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
Andrew hugged her gently, trying to calm her down.
"We have to do something," she said once she composed herself. "I won't let this happen." She shook her head firmly.
"Before we do, did Faith ever say anything about their relationship in the past few years?" Andrew asked.
"I—I don't remember, but I noticed she was the one paying back the money Edward borrowed from me. Whenever I asked, she said it came from Edward," Veron said.
Andrew stared at her. "What if Faith has been paying all that money herself?" he asked.
"That's possible too," Veron admitted.
"W-Why hasn't she left that jerk?" she demanded angrily.
"Maybe she wants to. Maybe there's a reason she stays," Andrew said calmly.
"What reason would make her stay? If I saw physical abuse, I would—"
"Hon, we have to act like nothing is wrong, like we don't know the truth," Andrew interrupted gently.
Veron perked up at his words.
"Why? I don't want this to continue, Andrew," she said, shaking her head.
"I know, but if we find out the truth now, it might put Faith in more danger. Think about it: she's already experiencing abuse. If she knows we're investigating, it could get worse," Andrew explained.
His words were wise but heavy. Veron sighed deeply.
"Do we just let it happen? Pretend nothing's wrong? I don't want that."
"Don't worry. We need proof if Edward is hurting Faith. We have to be careful," Andrew said.
Veron nodded silently.
"We have to act fast. I want her free from that awful man," she said firmly.
"If Frank is bad, there's someone worse," Andrew said quietly.
She looked at Faith lying there.
"If Frank loved her and stayed longer, maybe Faith wouldn't have to endure this. Crazy as Edward is, he never hit her."
"Crazy," she muttered.
"Faith, we'll fight for you. Get away from Edward. I'll do everything I can. I know you're fighting with all your strength. Don't lose hope—this time, I'll be there," Andrew said softly to their sleeping friend.
He kissed her forehead gently.
"I'll be in the living room. You need to rest too," he reminded Veron.
"Thank you, Andrew," she said gratefully.
He smiled, patted her, tousled her hair, and then left the condo room.
Veron sat quietly, watching Faith.
I need to focus, she thought to herself.