“Being an agent is a lot of responsibility, like being a mother,"

Karina explained. “We take care of everything for our artists."

Carlow nodded in understanding. "So, do you think that attracts men with mommy issues?"

Karina almost choked on her fruit.

Carlow, with a teasing smirk, offered her a tissue.

Karina snatched it, her expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance. “What exactly are you implying?"

Carlow chuckled, a hint of curiosity lingering in his eyes. He dropped the topic and asked, “Are you Haleigh's niece?"

Karina tossed the used tissue into the bin. "No," she replied curtly.

“Then what is your relationship with her?"

“Haleigh is my boyfriend's aunt," Karina explained. "She is like an aunt to me."

Carlow's gaze intensified. "So, you're looking after Haleigh in his memory?"

"Yes," Karina confirmed without hesitation.

A flicker of respect lit up Carlow's eyes. "Well, kind and beautiful women like you are hard to come by these days."

“Thank you for the compliment," Karina replied.

The amusement in Carlow's eyes deepened. “It seems you loved your boyfriend very much, didn't you?"

“Yes, I did," Karina admitted, a pang of sadness tugging at her heart. That fool, if only he'd confessed his feelings sooner.

Carlow continued, his voice sincere. "A beautiful, kind, and devoted woman like you is a rare gem. Your boyfriend was a lucky man.”

A soft warmth flickered in Carlow's eyes, adding to his attractiveness.

Karina looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"He just... never realized how lucky he was," she said with a hint of complaint.