The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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!

Leopold’s eyes as he staggered backward and collapsed

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

documents, and upon seeing Leopold awake, she nonchalantly remarked, “Are you nuts? Sneaking up behind people all in black with a

right eye. “You’re the one who’s nuts! Didn’t you say you didn’t

laughing. “Since when did you start

have the energy to argue. I’ve delivered your stuff; I’m out

pointed outside, “It’s pouring rain, and

what? Why would

said as if it were the most

maybe, help me out and move the car into your

smirked. “Sorry, my garage

was speechless, finally settling on the couch in

her work as if

Leopold’s stomach began to rumble.

looking back, Griffin gestured toward the

and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans

could not help but ask, “Is this what you

me here, so I

Leopold felt a sudden pang of

noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than

be on a

a young woman, you could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or some meat in the house?

to find Griffin with headphones on, ignoring

shadow stretched out on the floor under the light, falling across her

left from the fridge into Griffin’s noodle cup, then placed it quietly on the desk

the couch, wolfing down the nutritionally

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

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

instant noodles were

sighed. “You’re

right eye less swollen, he approached and squatted beside her, staring at her with unknown thoughts in his mind. Suddenly, Griffin’s head

flushed, and so was

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

the untouched instant noodles, he tossed it