The morning sunlight poured through the glass walls of Carrington Group, warm but unforgiving.
Luna entered the office, clutching her files tightly, her steps faster than usual. She had spent most of the night preparing for what she had to do.
Today, she would speak up. She could no longer allow Selina's shadow to spread unchecked.
Jenna walked beside her, nervous as always.
"Are you sure about this, Luna? People already think you are stressed.
If you tell them someone is copying you, they might.
"They might laugh," Luna finished for her.
"Or worse, they might think I am losing my mind. But I cannot stay silent any longer.
Silence is letting her win.
Jenna bit her lip. "Then I will stand by you. Even if no one else does.
Luna gave her a grateful look. "Thank you.
In the meeting room, colleagues gathered around the long polished table. Marcus leaned back in his chair, arms folded, while Damien sat near the head of the table, quiet but watchful. Mr. Carrington arrived last, setting his folder down with a weighty thump.
"Alright," he began, "before we get to today's agenda, Luna has requested time to address the team. Go ahead, Luna.
Dozens of eyes turned toward her. Luna took a deep breath and stood.
"There is something happening that you all need to know," she said, her voice steady though her hands trembled slightly.
"Over the past week, someone has been impersonating me.
This person looks like me, speaks like me, and even moves like me. But she is not me.
Whispers rippled around the table. Marcus raised an eyebrow.
"Are you saying you have a twin walking around the building?
"Not a twin," Luna replied. "Someone who has studied me.
Someone who has begun sabotaging my work, my reputation, and possibly this company.
Laughter broke out from one end of the table.
A younger associate shook his head.
"Come on, Luna. That sounds like a scene from a thriller.
People do not just appear out of nowhere and pretend to be other people.
"It may sound strange," Luna admitted, "but think about the incidents this week. The rude email. The deleted report.
The presentation files that were tampered with. Those were not accidents, and they were not my mistakes. She is behind them.
Mr. Carrington frowned. "You are saying someone is deliberately trying to frame you.
"Yes," Luna said firmly. "And she will not stop until she destroys my credibility completely.
Marcus leaned forward, skeptical.
"Then where is this mysterious double? Why have none of us seen her? If she looks so much like you, how come no one else has noticed?
Jenna spoke up quickly. "I saw her. At the café. She is real. She even spoke to us.
Several heads turned toward Jenna, but the expressions were doubtful. One colleague muttered, "Maybe you saw someone with similar hair or style.
Jenna flushed red.
"No, it was more than that. She was exactly like Luna.
Damien cleared his throat, his eyes on Luna. "I believe Luna," he said quietly.
Mr. Carrington sighed, rubbing his temple. "This is a serious accusation. Do you have proof? Photos, recordings, anything?
Luna hesitated. "Not yet. She is careful. But I will find a way to prove it.
Another colleague, Miranda, gave her a tight smile.
"Luna, you have always been reliable.
But lately, maybe you are just under too much stress. Mistakes happen, and stress can make them feel bigger than they are.
"I am not imagining this," Luna replied, frustration rising in her voice.
"She is real. She is here.
And if you do not take this seriously, the damage will grow worse.
The room fell into uneasy silence.
After the meeting ended, Luna lingered by the doorway as people filed out.
She overheard two associates whispering.
"She has lost it," one said.
"Yeah. Talking about a double is like it is a ghost story.
Luna closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself not to snap.
Marcus approached her, hands in his pockets.
"Look, Luna, I am not saying you are lying. But you sound paranoid. If you want people to believe you, you need evidence.
Until then, you are only hurting your own image.
"Do you think I want this?" Luna asked, her voice low.
"Do you think I enjoy standing here, begging people to believe me?
Marcus gave a half shrug. "Then find proof. That is all I am saying.
Back at her desk, Jenna slumped into her chair.
"That was rough. They do not believe a word of it.
"They will," Luna said, more to herself than to Jenna.
"I will make them.
Damien came over, leaning against her desk.
"You did the right thing speaking up. Even if they do not believe you yet.
Luna looked at him, her eyes tired. "You believe me, don't you?
"I do," Damien said without hesitation. "And I will help you prove it.
His certainty gave her strength.
That afternoon, Luna stepped out for a walk to clear her head.
As she passed the lobby, she froze. Selina stood there, talking casually with the receptionist, smiling in the same way Luna often did.
Luna's breath caught.
She hurried forward, but by the time she reached the desk, Selina was gone.
The receptionist looked up.
"Back again, Ms. Alaric? You just left a few minutes ago.
Luna's stomach sank. "I… did not leave.
That was not me.
The receptionist blinked, confused. "It looked exactly like you.
Back upstairs, Luna slammed her notebook shut. "She was here again. Talking to people as if she were me. They think I am in two places at once.
Jenna's eyes widened. "See? This is exactly what you warned them about. But they still will not believe it until they see it themselves.
Damien's voice was grim. "Then we need to catch her in the act. Only then will the others realize this is not in your head."
Luna nodded, her determination hardening. "If she wants to live as me, then I will force her into the light. She cannot keep hiding in the shadows.
That night, as Luna left the office, she saw a reflection in the glass doors. For a heartbeat, she thought it was her own. But then the reflection moved differently. Selina stood outside, staring back at her through the glass, smiling knowingly.
Luna whispered, "They may not believe me yet. But they will.
Selina tilted her head, mouthing silent words that Luna understood clearly.
You are already losing.