The Special Agent: Andrew Pierre

Chapter 3

The cab stopped in front of a grand restaurant and Anna’s face lit up as soon as she saw it. “This is Uncle Jacob’s restaurant. He’s mom’s friend; the one who bought me my shoes. We hang out here all the time,”

Andrew’s chest tightened at the sight of his daughter being excited to come to a restaurant owned by a man he didn't know.

She barely acknowledged him when he came home after being away for six months.

The thought of another man taking his place in his daughter’s life made his blood boil.

The cab drove off after he paid the driver generously. The fare had cost him more than he could really afford. 

Andrew was just a junior agent. He earned barely enough to cover basic needs, yet he had spent most of his salary buying gifts for his wife and daughter.

He wasn't complaining; he would do anything to make the two of them happy. 

He took his daughter's hand and walked inside. The interior looked so extravagant , it was clearly a Michelin 5-star place. 

Andrew knew he could not afford to pay for the cheapest meal there. He only had some money left for the cab fare back home. 

Bella sat by the window of the restaurant, with the best view of the city, a table that cost more than the other tables in the room. 

Andrew’s eyes met hers, then he scanned her from head to toe.

She looked so different from how he remembered her, he wondered how someone could change in six months. 

She was wearing a red dress with very bold makeup. 

He had no prejudice against how she looked, Bella’s beauty was immeasurable no matter  how she  was dressed.

The contrast was almost too much for him to take in at that moment.

In the past, she had maintained  a modest style, wearing little makeup and dull coloured clothes. 

Her aura from where she was sitting was so different.

It was so cold that he felt shivers run down his spine.

“Mommy.” Anna’s little scream jolted him back to reality as she let go of his hand to hug her mom, whom she hadn’t seen in a few days. 

Bella hugged her daughter warmly and kissed her forehead, the icy look she was wearing softened a bit.

“Sweetheart.” She said,  lifting her daughter onto her lap.

“Mommy, where is Uncle Jacob?” Anna asked.

Bile rose in Andrew’s throat. His daughter seemed like she was dying to see this Jacob in question. 

“Uncle Jacob is in the back. Take your time there. Your dad and I need to have a long talk.” 

“Okay mommy, Uncle Jacob and I have to finish the jigsaw puzzle we started last week.”

“That’s good. Give mommy a kiss on her cheek before going in.” Bella said, pulling her daughter closer.

Anna kissed her mom on the cheek and headed towards the staff lounge.

Andrew noticed how familiar his daughter was with the restaurant.

She knew where to go without being guided; it was clear she had been here so many times that it was like a regular place for her.

He watched her until she disappeared into the room.

“Do you want me to show you to your seat?” Bella’s voice was cold, nothing like the gentle tone she’d use with Anna.

She spoke like Andrew was her opposition and her disdain for him was barely hidden.

He  sat down opposite her and placed the gift bags on the table.

 “Happy Anniversary, honey.” A crumpled smile formed on his face. 

“Our marriage is a marriage of convenience, I can’t do too much.” Andrew reminded himself.

She had reminded him countless times that she was only with him because of Anna.

“You look so beautiful…. and different.” he could not help adding the last line.

She raised her wine glass to her lips and took a sip, “I guess you were expecting me to show up in my wedding dress, since you are wearing the tuxedo my dad got you for ours.”

“Isabella, I…”

She cut him off real sharply. “You don’t get to address me as Isabella, you have lost that right. It is Bella to you.”

Andrew’s ears burned from embarrassment.

He was not expecting that she would express her disgust for him to mention her name.

“I apologize for crossing the line. I hope you don’t hold onto it. Please let’s enjoy today together, it's our  anniversary."

“Did you say we should enjoy today?” She scoffed, “Shall I place an order? Will you be able to pay for it?”

Andrew had been considering taking out a quick loan through an app from work just so he could afford, just so he could afford whatever his wife and daughter wanted.

Paying the loan might take up to two years but he didn’t mind. He just wanted to make them happy since they were his responsibility and he loved them enough to do that.

“Yes, Bella. I already made plans for that.” he replied with the little confidence he had left in him.

A hysterical laugh escaped from her mouth. "You made plans to pay for my meal, here? Can you even afford to pay for the glass of wine I already drank?”

"Of course we are here to celebrate our anniversary. I am prepared to spend as much as you want, so feel free to pick the most expensive item on the menu.”

“I see that you must have mistaken this meeting for an anniversary celebration but that is not why we are here.” She reached for her bag, brought a brown envelope then she slid it across the table.

He picked it up and opened the envelope.

“That is a divorce and a child custody agreement.” She said flatly as she scanned the papers. “Just sign it and accept the twenty thousand dollars settlement.” 

Just as he was about to respond, his phone rang, the caller id flashed through the phone. It was a call from work, then a message followed. “Code RED."

He gave her an apologetic look.  “I have to go now, Bella.  We’ll discuss this when I am back,” He slipped his card to her. “Use this to pay for your meal.”

She snapped the card in half and tossed it in his face. “I don’t need your useless card..”