The untouchable lawyer Erica Melendez (Kaila Estrada) has consistently impressed us with her growth from a timid, reticent teenager to a master of legal procedures, debates, and fearlessness. Adding an emotive layer to her character, she has worked her way up from the ground, starting the day she left Amurao with not an ounce of support from her mother. Seeing her with the dependable Marco Torres (Race Matias), her private investigator, gives us a sense of relief—knowing that someone is there to help lighten the burdens she takes on herself.
Go over these 10 striking scenes magnifying Erica and Marco’s steadfast partnership amid the unnerving revelations surrounding Louisa’s (Mutya Orquia) true murderer and Edong’s (Jake Cuenca) relentless vengeance in “What Lies Beneath.”
#1: Erica saved Marco from being wrongly accused
The first episode of the series immediately introduces us to the main cast, including Erica, who is portrayed as both highly fluent in legal matters and deeply empathetic. Outside of her professional life, she frequently meets with Marco to discuss their latest findings regarding the missing Esther (Malou Crisologo), aiming to overturn Edong’s unjust imprisonment and uncover Louisa’s real murderer.
In this scene, Erica converses with Marco at a bar she often frequents, and they delve into Esther’s month-long evasion of an Estafa case. Marco quickly asks Erica if she is certain about her intentions to revisit the past by attempting to solve the 14-year-old case involving Edong and herself—a case that could also jeopardize everything she has worked so hard to achieve.
Without a doubt, Erica dwells on her past mistake of being too cowardly to defend Edong against false evidence and testimonies. Marco tries to reassure her of her goodwill, reminding her that she was the one who helped him prove his innocence in a case he didn’t commit. He goes on to say that the many people she has helped far outweigh the one thing she failed to do.
#2: Erica and Marco’s intuitions work hand in hand
A tandem that complements each other’s thinking—clarifying things before taking action—demonstrates an entirely satisfying chemistry, which Erica and Marco showcase particularly well in the seventh episode.
When Celestino’s (Bart Guingona) body resurfaces by the dump, Erica receives a text from Marco, who is already on the move to gather more information about the policeman’s merciless death. Trusting her instincts, Erica quickly deduces that it might be Edong’s doing, recalling his cryptic call from earlier.
Rather than agreeing without question, Marco emphasizes a key fact: Edong is still imprisoned at Bagumbayan. Yet he does not dismiss the possibility of someone acting on Edong’s behalf outside, which leads Erica to consider their suspicion of Lucas (JM de Guzman) involvement—especially given his simmering anger over the past 14 years.
#3: Marco trained Erica in self-defense
Erica proves she is a certified fighter in the twelfth episode when her once-forgotten fling tries to flirt with her as she talks to Marco. The instant the man grabs Erica’s arm to stop her from leaving, Marco rushes to her aid—but Erica intervenes, showing that she can handle this on her own.
She fires off legal comebacks and immediately twists the man’s arm when he refuses to back down, leaving him embarrassed, scared, and walking away.
Proud, Erica looks back at Marco, pointing out that she hasn’t forgotten what he taught her.
The two exchange light-hearted remarks when Erica comments on how most men don’t ever get hurt and think they deserve a free pass with women they find attractive—an idea Marco gently disputes, saying not all men are like that.
#4: Marco never hesitates to come to Erica’s aid
Their investigation reaches a breakthrough in the eighteenth episode when they find Esther unconscious on the street, with Lucas looming over her. Mistaking Lucas for the cause of Esther’s condition, Marco wastes no time confronting him in a brawl, while Erica anxiously tends to Esther.
Upon realizing that Esther is still alive, thanks to Erica, the two men halt their altercation. Lucas voices his frustrations, taking offense at their assumption that he and his brother had killed Esther.
#5: Marco offers to be Erica’s personal security
Edong’s escape from Bagumbayan has already made headlines, but the twenty-second episode shows slow progress in Amurao, even though the town should have prioritized warnings about his return.
Erica interprets this as the mayor trying to reduce panic among the townspeople, while also noting that they may not fully grasp the extent of Edong’s barbarity. The duo reviews the security details and wonders how Lucas reacted upon discovering Edong outside of prison—just outside Alice’s (Janella Salvador) house—which suggests he may not fully understand Edong’s intentions.
Thinking it through, Erica considers the possibility but ultimately knows that Lucas cannot be entirely trusted.
By the end of their conversation, Marco insists on taking Erica home, but she remains firm on protecting herself, playfully kneeing Marco before driving off on her own.
#6: Marco appears right when he’s needed
The twenty-third episode presents Erica on high alert, anticipating that Edong could come after her at any moment. She hurries to hide in the parking lot and prepares to pepper spray her alleged stalker, but accidentally hits another resident instead.
As this happens, Marco approaches and reminds her that she doesn’t have to handle everything on her own—that he can be part of her security detail. Erica still refuses Marco’s help, but soon finds herself almost constantly under his genuine care.
#7: Erica finally entrusts her safety to Marco
Returning from her statement on the news calling for Edong, the twenty-fifth episode highlights Marco’s attentiveness to Erica, as he notices the MABEL bracelet on her wrist and worries that it might have further provoked Edong.
Softly, Erica replies that she didn’t wear it for Edong and thanks Marco for his help, suggesting that he can stop guarding her. Unwavering, Marco insists that Erica needs backup now more than ever. She finally concedes subtly, telling him that he can sleep on the couch.
#8: Erica and Marco exchange teasing remarks
Still in the twenty-fifth episode, as morning settles in, Erica notifies Marco that Edong has yet to make his vengeful move. Concerned about the remaining two-day police stakeout, Marco hints that he’s willing to stay frequently to keep Erica safe.
In a rare lighthearted moment, Erica quips that men are not allowed in her unit and that Marco is only there because he’s needed. Not offended, Marco simply blinks and smiles, possibly recalling Erica’s past flings.
Erica takes this as a tease, commenting that she heard his judgment, which Marco playfully defends, reminding her that he was the one who had been detained in the past and therefore had no right to pass judgment. Smiling, she offers Marco a cup of coffee.
#9: Erica finds support in Marco
Finding it hard to remain unshaken, Erica in the twenty-ninth episode grapples with the unsettling possibility that Mel (Sue Ramirez) might be the owner of the severed hand in the package sent by Edong.
Seeing her troubled, Marco volunteers to inform Erica’s friends—especially Mel’s husband, Anton (Jameson Blake). After predictably refusing his help, Erica decides to wait for the fingerprint results before taking any further action.
As they return to her flat, Erica loses her keys, but Marco produces his duplicate. On their way inside, they are confronted by a furious resident who berates Erica for the bomb-scare commotion. Exhausted and annoyed, Erica still musters enough energy to stare the woman down before heading inside, leaving Marco to handle the rest of her meltdown.
#10: Erica gets reassured by Marco
The thirtieth episode reveals how hard Erica is on herself. After dreaming of a wickedly laughing Louisa, she panics and scolds Marco for not waking her.
Remaining calm, Marco explains that he will wake her once the results from the crime lab are delivered. When Erica insists that she doesn’t need rest, Marco reassures her once again that the events are not her fault, particularly regarding Mel’s presumed death.
Don’t miss an episode of “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.