The Million-Dollar Heart

As the quartet happily indulged in a cozy fondue dinner, Leopold brought over the documents from headquarters.

Peering through the empty doorway, Leopold hesitated, unsure whether to enter.

He texted Anna: [Where are you guys?]

Anna, who had not quite finished chewing her lamb, hit the voice message button, "On a mission, gotta stick to Ms. Vivienne like glue." Vivienne said, "Just drop the stuff off, and don't be a nuisance. You mess up the deal, I'll break your legs."

Percival added his own threat, "I'll dislocate your arm."

Thomas kept it simple, "Good luck, man!"

Listening to the sounds of bubbling fondue, fizzing sodas, and the stubborn mastication of lamb, Leopold was in disbelief.

Was this really a mission?

This was sheer torture!

But he had no choice; he had to deliver the documents quickly.

Griffin had already sent a reminder in the Little Bombs group chat - a special group Vivienne had created for convenience. With no other option, Leopold donned a mask and hat, covering himself completely, and entered Griffin's home.

The evening was setting in, and Griffin had only a desk lamp on, leaving the main lights off.

Three different-colored pens lay strewn across documents, each marking various annotations. Leopold cleared his throat gently, but Griffin showed no reaction.

He moved closer and tapped Griffin's head with the documents, "Hey, the papers..."

"Ah!"

Bam!

Stars danced before Leopold's eyes as he staggered backward and collapsed to the floor.

when he could finally open his left eye again, all the lights in Griffin's place were

there, casually perusing the documents, and upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask? How do you expect someone to

right eye. "You're the one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want to see me?

laughing. "Since when

don't have the energy to argue.

so fast," Griffin pointed outside, "It's pouring rain, and

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why

were blocking traffic," Griffin said as if it were the most

teeth, "Couldn't you, just maybe, help me out and move the car into

garage

was speechless, finally settling on

as if he was not

Leopold's stomach began to rumble.

Griffin gestured toward the fridge,

and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda

but ask,

hummed an affirmation, "Just me

reason, Leopold felt a

time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

she would be on a diet like

cups of noodles, mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house? This..." He

out on the floor under

and silently added the only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle cup, then placed it quietly on the desk

couch, wolfing down the nutritionally void

eating, the rain had not stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her

blue pen still clutched in hand, the other

noodles were

"You're working too

her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was a little flushed, and so was

few minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on

tossed it aside,