Thump.

"Owww, why would you do that Abella?"

"Papa, you're going to be late again!"

She was right. I stretched out on the floor and stared up at the little girl, her feet dangling over the edge of the bed, so delicate and small. She was my little girl.

I rolled over onto my hands and knees and stood up, cracking my back as I went.

"Yuck, that's horrible" She moaned placing her hands over her ears and crinkling her nose.

"Has grand-mère fed you yet?"

Abella nodded; her hands fiddling with a strand of her long brown hair. She was the spitting image of her mother.

"Out now Abella, I have to change"

I picked the little girl off of my bed and placed her on the floor. She grabbed hold of my leg, squeezed it and ran out of my room.

I looked in my cabinet and picked out a dark grey suit, white shirt and tie. I changed and grabbed a pair of black shoes. I glanced at my watch. It was 9 am.

I rushed down the stairs and grabbed a croissant and espresso on my way out. I passed my mothers car and saw Abella sitting in it. She rolled down her window and I kissed the top of her head.

"Goodbye ma fille, Have a good day at school." I whispered

"Bye papa!" she giggled

I felt a hand tap my shoulder and I turned to see my mother standing behind me. She pulled me aside, So my daughter couldn't hear us speak.

"Have you signed the papers yet Pierre?"

"I need more time mère"

"It's been three years since you and Natalee split, She will go to court with or without your say!"

"I know, Let's talk about it later, not near Abella, For her sake?"

I walked towards my car, Not looking my mother in the face as I passed her.

"You can't keep running away forever!" she called after me

"I know" I whispered

My heart sank at the thought of signing those papers. I loved my wife dearly even though she didn't feel the same. She lost that love a long time ago. She had moved on, was engaged to another man. I should let go, let her go. But I couldn't.

Not now. Not ever.

I sat in my car. A black Mercedes. My dream car. I had the best job in the world, The best family but it didn't feel right. It felt like something was missing.

I drank my espresso, which was now cold, in one gulp and took a bite out of my croissant. I tossed it on the seat letting the crumbs fling everywhere.

I drove to the old race track and lined my car up on the starting line. The track was old and disused. The seats along the sides broken and worn. A place for the birds and the homeless now.

I revved the engine. It was a beautiful sound. Again and again, getting louder each time.

I hit the accelerator and zoomed down the track at 100mph. This felt great. I soon forgot about all my problems. I kept getting faster, the speedometer dial getting higher and higher.

I sped round the track and came face to face with a wall. I was about 200 yards from direct impact. I reach 166 mph and headed straight for the wall. A small click and the wall opened and I sped inside.

I drove through a metal plated tunnel, Light from the ceiling shone down on me as I sped through.

I drove onto a metal plate which connected to the car. It was pulled up towards a deck higher than the tunnel. I had arrived at the headquarters of the Brigade de renseignement et de guerre électronique. My assistant, Charlotte, was waiting for me at the end of the car bay.

"Good day Monsieur. I trust your morning went well?"

"It was fine Charlotte, What meetings do I have for the day?

"A 3pm meeting with the young cadets, A training session at 10 and a session at the shooting range".

"Cancel all of them Charlotte, I am not in the mood"

"Yes sir....Oh wait!"

"Charlotte?" I asked, slightly confused

"A man and woman came about 10 minutes ago asking to see you, I told them to wait?"

I put my hand to my forehead and sighed. I was to busy for this today

"Tell them that they're wasting their time!"

"But sir?"

"WHAT!" I barked

She stepped back, shocked at how I reacted.

"Charlotte, I'm sorry"

"It's okay Monsieur. They are representatives from MI5"

My blood ran cold. I hated MI5. This wasn't going to be good.

"Thank you Charlotte, I will see to them myself."

I walked past Charlotte and up to the flight of stairs on the back wall. I walked up and entered my office at the end of the hall. Sure enough a man and woman were standing by the door. I motioned for them to follow me and I sat at my desk. They sat down in the chairs in front.

I studied them closely.

The young woman had long Blonde hair in waves which cascaded down her face. She was wearing a black blazer, white shirt and a long black skirt. She was wearing Black heels. Her lips were coloured in a shade which reminded me of a fine red wine.

The man had black hair which was slicked back. He was wearing a black suit and a white shirt. Black shoes also. On the pocket of the suit a small emblem of Croatia embroidered on it.

"What is your business here today"

"Hello Monsieur, i'm Agent Elizabeth Hartland and this is Agent Adrijan Kosos. We are here as representatives from MI5. We have come to ask that you join are mission to recover an item which in the wrong hands could lead to disaster"

"How about NO?" I Replied

"Excuse me?" The woman said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry but you seem to be wasting your time here, I'm a retired agent. I have a daughter to think about and I am going through some hardships at the moment so bye-bye."

Before she could open her mouth the man pulled her back and motioned to her. She rolled her eyes and walked out of the room.

"I am very sorry about her monsieur, she is just trying to be nice?"

"Look, I already said I was retired, I don't fight anymore"

"Do you miss it? the fighting, the adventure?" The man questioned.

"I suppose, it would be nice to get out there again"

"Then join us, Complete this mission not for us but for yourself and your daughter!"

The guy had a point. I missed being out on the field so much. I retired three years ago to be closer to my wife. Look where it got me. I need to think about this, not for me but for Abella.

After a silence of what seemed like hours but was only minutes I finally spoke.

"I will be part of the mission but I will do it for my daughter. Nothing else."

He smiled and stretched out a hand, we shook hands.

"Croatia eh, Nice place?" I asked, studying the badge.

"Depends on where you go. I'm from Korčula and its nice this time of year".

The knock on the door interrupted our conversation and the blonde lady popped her head around the door again.

"Madame. Can I help you?" I said as she walked over to us.

"I was wondering if you had made a decision Monsieur Lavoie, My Boss would like to know as soon as possible."

"Well you will be happy to know that I have accepted your request all thanks to Adrijan's convincing." I replied, giving her a firm handshake.

I noticed her give a side smile to Adrijan before leading us out of the office.

What had I got myself in for?

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**I managed to fix the corrupted version**

**Please vote as it means a lot and comment anything that needs improvement***