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.

finally open his

nonchalantly remarked, "Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask? How

Didn't you say you didn't want to see me? How else was I

out laughing. "Since when did you

exhaled sharply. "I don't have the energy to argue. I've delivered your stuff; I'm out

pointed outside, "It's pouring rain,

was dumbfounded, "Wait, what? Why would

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

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

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

was speechless, finally settling on the couch in

as if he was not

rumble. He tapped the desk,

gestured toward the fridge,

noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda

not help but ask, "Is this what you

me here, so I make

some reason, Leopold felt a sudden

Griffin seemed much thinner

be on

preparing two cups of noodles, mumbling, "For a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some

the floor

only sausage left from the fridge into Griffin's noodle

couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

the rain had not stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of

Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the

instant noodles were

"You're working

less swollen, he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold

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

untouched instant noodles, he tossed it