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

could finally open his left eye

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

“You’re the one who’s nuts! Didn’t you say you didn’t want to see me? How else was I

out laughing. “Since when did you start following

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

Griffin pointed outside, “It’s pouring rain, and the cops

was dumbfounded, “Wait, what? Why would they

as if it were the most obvious

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

garage isn’t for storing Husky

settling on the couch

work as if he

Leopold’s stomach began to rumble. He tapped the

looking back, Griffin gestured toward

instant noodles and pre-made sandwiches inside, alongside cans of soda – the classic bachelor’s

help but ask, “Is this what you usually

“Just me here, so I

some reason, Leopold felt a sudden pang

first time, he noticed Griffin seemed much thinner than he

of course, she would be on

could take better care of yourself. Why not keep some veggies or

turned to find Griffin with headphones on,

floor under

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

sat on the couch, wolfing down

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

the carpet, leaning against the couch, blue pen still clutched in hand, the other two

instant noodles were

“You’re working too

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

was a little flushed,

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

he tossed it aside, grabbed