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.

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

you nuts? Sneaking up

clutched his right eye. "You're the one who's nuts! Didn't you say you didn't want

nearly burst out laughing. "Since when

sharply. "I don't have the energy to

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

what? Why would they tow my

it were the most

just maybe, help me out and move the

"Sorry, my garage isn't for storing Husky

was speechless, finally settling on the

her work as if he

rumble. He tapped the

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the

pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda -

not help but ask,

an affirmation, "Just me here,

Leopold felt a

first time, he noticed Griffin

would be on a diet

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

stretched out on the floor under the light, falling

the fridge into Griffin's noodle

couch, wolfing

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

found Griffin asleep on the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two pens precariously perched in her

noodles

"You're working

squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as

a few minutes of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping his jacket

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's car keys, and