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!

before Leopold’s eyes as he staggered backward and collapsed

open his left eye again, all

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

who’s nuts! Didn’t you say you didn’t want to see me? How

burst out laughing. “Since when did you start

sharply. “I don’t have the energy to argue.

fast,” Griffin pointed outside, “It’s pouring rain, and the cops towed your

“Wait, what? Why would they tow my

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

“Couldn’t you, just maybe, help me out and move the car into

my garage

speechless, finally settling on the

her work as if

stomach began to rumble. He tapped

Griffin gestured toward the fridge, “Help

noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans

not help but ask, “Is

an affirmation, “Just me here, so I

reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang

noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than

she would be on a diet like

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

turned to find Griffin with headphones on,

shadow stretched out on the floor under the

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

was still engrossed in her research. Bored out of his mind,

leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the

instant noodles were

sighed. “You’re working too

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

a little flushed, and so was his

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

untouched instant noodles, he tossed