Chapter 156 - The Investigation

Joanna ran after him and before Ajie could raise a fist at Andrew, she wrapped her arms around Ajie's waist and pulled him.

"What's the problem? Can't we talk this out?" Joanna shouted hysterically, making Ajie stop.

"Joanna, you just don't know what this man did to us and now, he's at this again! I can hold my temper if he would aim his revenge at me, but involving my innocent child this time, is something I can't forgive. I'm sorry," Ajie was trembling in his restrained anger. If only Joanna wasn't there to stop him, perhaps, his face wouldn't be recognized anymore.

"What are you talking about? What did he do?"

"Of course, he won't tell you!"

"Look at him, Adrian! Ever since he knew that Cherry did not die, his anxiety returns. He was not even able to perform lately."

Ajie glanced up at Andrew. He was on a swivel chair, looking at them with a flat affect. It seemed he did not recognize them. He even did not care that he was already shouting at her girlfriend. And he didn't seem to get alarmed by the commotion he was about to bring about.

He had always known that Andrew cared about his outward appearance but at this moment, his hair was disheveled. There were visible stubs below his ears and around his chin. His eyes lost its glow and it seemed he was too tired to even blink.

"He's not sleeping and eating for days already. He's been sitting on that chair for who knows how long."

Ajie creased his brows as he stared at Joanna, trying to read between the lines. Was she telling the truth or was she just trying to cover up? No matter how he tried to see beyond her facade, he could not find any sign that she was only making up her story. She really looked honest and sincere.

Giving her his last sharp stare, Ajie turned around and sprinted out of their cabin. He headed towards the cabin of one of the members of the band. He knocked and soon, a man in his late twenties appeared at the door. Ajie easily recognized him as the guitarist.

"Hi, sir! Is there anything you want from me?" the guitarist asked him politely. It was such an honor that the builder and designer of this large ship came to see him. Was he going to propose a new contract?

"Can we talk for a while?" Ajie asked, his tone was serious and it made him jumpy.

Soon after that, Ajie brought him to a coffee shop. Ajie chose a table at a corner and they sat across each other.

"How's your performance lately?" Ajie began to ask.

The guitarist was a bit apprehensive. There must be a deeper reason why this chief engineer and designer wanted to talk to him.

"It's good but lately, we lacked one important member. Our concerts are never complete without him. The people always look for him," said the guitarist. There was a hint of sadness in his tone.

"Who and where  is he?" Ajie asked, pretending he had no idea on what he said.

"Our pianist, sir. Andrew is his name. He is just inside their cabin. According to Joanna, he is sick and that she is treating him."

"How long are you in this group?"

"About four years, sir."

"In those four years, are you with Andrew?"

"Yes, sir."

"Have you held concerts somewhere in Japan before?"

"No, sir."

"Do you have any acquaintances residing in Japan?"

"None, sir."

"How about Andrew?"

"I don't think so. He doesn't even go out for sightseeing."

Ajie's investigation ended without getting any lead that would point out to Andrew as the avenger. Everything Joanna and the guitarist revealed, coincided. The logbook, the CCTV and the schedule of the band's performance supported their claims.

During their dinner later, Ajie informed everyone about everything he gathered during his investigation.

"Does it mean that Andrew has nothing to do with Chloe's abduction?"

"If not him, who else?" Mrs. Lopez asked; this turn of events started to make her worry again.

The tension in the air started to grow again but Ryan's soft chuckle diverted their attention.

"Nowadays, any form of negotiations no longer needs physical appearance and those people who are suffering from anxiety disorder are all manipulative. So, everything can be faked, including diseases and disorders. Let us all be careful so as not to be deceived."

"You're right," Jane seconded and so everyone was convinced that Andrew was really the one behind this. However, they had to find ways to link him to this incidence.

Later into the night, Ajie went to see Joanna again. He brought Allie with him to avoid suspicions from Andrew. Taking what's his was always been his issue so Allie's presence would buffer it. They went inside another coffee shop that was less crowded. Once they got their coffee, they gathered at a table near the entrance so that they could see who was coming in or out.

"Joanna, if you don't mind, are you not bothered that Andrew has this disorder?" Allie began to ask.

"I find it difficult because unlike another patient, he is a part of me," came Joanna's answer preceded by a peal of soft laughter.

"How did you first meet? As a patient or as a public figure?" Allie asked further.

"I was his avid fan. I really followed him in all his major concerts until I  became a part of the band. My life rotated in a music school ever since I was three years old. I was trained to be a singer so having a partner who is also a musician, has always been my dream."

It was never difficult to understand, based on how Joanna described how they met, that Andrew's flaws were something she had fully accepted on the day she fell in love with him. Loving a person means loving him or her for the way they are.

They had only talked for a few minutes but Allie already admired Joanna's personality. Her ability to understand a person based on his unpleasant background and the greatness of her heart to accept a person despite the flaws was something peculiar about her.

After a  while of exchanging personal backgrounds, Ajie finally got an opening to bring out his intentions.

"Joanna, has Andrew ever happened to bring out my name?" 

"Of course but I should warn you, those were all unpleasant."