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.

to, or more accurately, when he could finally open his left eye

you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a mask?

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

nearly burst out laughing. "Since when did you

the energy to argue.

outside, "It's pouring rain, and the cops towed

"Wait, what? Why would they tow my

if it were

just maybe, help me out and move the car into

my garage isn't for storing

was speechless, finally settling on

if he was

rumble. He tapped the desk,

Griffin gestured toward the

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

ask, "Is this what

hummed an affirmation, "Just me here, so I

some reason, Leopold felt

the first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner

of course, she would be

Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the

out on the floor under the light,

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

sat on the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally void

stopped, and Griffin was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind, Leopold eventually dozed off

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

noodles were

sighed. "You're working

Suddenly, Griffin's head dropped, and Leopold caught it as quickly as possible. His face was a little flushed, and so

of silence, he lifted her into a more comfortable position on the couch, draping

tossed it aside, grabbed Griffin's