CHAPTER NINETY ONE - A SPONTANEOUS TRIP

As they sat down to eat, an awkward silence fell between them. Karina picked at her food, trying to gather her thoughts. Finally, Miguel spoke. "About last night..." "Yes?" Karina looked up, her heart rate picking up. Miguel seemed to struggle with his words for a moment. "I just wanted to say... thank you. For playing along so convincingly. The board is very pleased with how things are progressing." Karina felt a pang of disappointment. Of course, it was all about the business arrangement. What had she been expecting? "Of course," she replied, keeping her voice neutral. "That's what we agreed to, after all." Miguel nodded, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes - uncertainty, perhaps? "Right. But I also wanted to say... I enjoyed myself last night. Dancing with you, talking on the balcony... it felt..." He trailed off, leaving the sentence hanging in the air between them. Karina found herself holding her breath. "It felt...?" she prompted. Miguel's eyes met hers, an