Bella's eyes widened. She took the bag carefully, like it was made of glass, and pulled the ribbon loose. The bow came undone with a soft whisper, and she opened the bag.
Inside, nestled in tissue paper, was a chocolate pastry.
Not a single slice. Two.
Perfectly golden, with layers of flaky crust and rich, dark chocolate drizzled across the top. The smell hit her immediately: warm, buttery, impossibly sweet. She could see the chocolate peeking out from the sides, thick and glossy, promising something decadent.
"Yay!" she squealed, clutching the bag to her chest. She looked up at him, her face glowing. "You're the best. The absolute best."
Leo shrugged, but his eyes were soft. "Eat before it melts."
The car pulled away from the curb. Assistant Three drove smoothly, his eyes fixed on the road. Bella lifted one of the pastries out of the bag, her fingers trembling slightly with anticipation.
