Dimitri sat at the head of a long table in a dimly lit meeting room. Around him were trusted members of Celestina’s security and intelligence team, each flipping through profiles and photographs of women who might be suitable as her double. The air was thick with tension.

“This isn’t working,” Dimitri muttered, tossing a file onto the pile in frustration. “None of these candidates look like her. And even if they did, this isn’t just about appearances.”

Elara, seated to his left, frowned as she examined one of the profiles. “She’s the president, Dimitri. No one’s going to be perfect.”

“She must be more than a face,” Dimitri snapped, leaning forward. “She needs to move, speak, and think like Celestina. One wrong gesture, one slip of the tongue, and it’s over. Do you understand the stakes?”

The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

Liora, standing by the door, crossed her arms. “You’re looking for a needle in a haystack. Someone who looks like her, but also has the composure to handle public appearances? That’s not exactly easy to find.”

Dimitri ran a hand through his hair, his voice firm but tired. “Then we keep looking. We don’t stop until we find her.”

Meanwhile, Celestina sat in her study, staring out the window at the city skyline. Her mind raced with doubts and fears. Could she really trust a stranger to step into her place?

When Dimitri entered, she turned to him, her voice filled with uncertainty. “Dimitri, I need to talk to you.”

He closed the door behind him, walking over to her. “What’s on your mind?”

Celestina sighed, gesturing toward the chair across from her. “Sit.”

He obeyed, leaning forward as she gathered her thoughts.

“I can’t stop thinking about this plan,” she admitted. “What if it backfires? What if the person we choose uses their position against me? Or worse, what if they betray us?”

Dimitri’s expression softened. “Celestina, I understand your fears. But we’ll take every precaution. I’ll vet the candidates personally, and they’ll go through rigorous training. No one will get close to you unless I trust them completely.”

She looked into his eyes, searching for reassurance. “But how can you be sure? This isn’t just about me, Dimitri. It’s about the people, the government, and…” She hesitated, placing a hand on her stomach. “…our child.”

Dimitri reached for her hand, his grip steady. “That’s exactly why we need to do this. To protect all of it—your legacy, your safety, and your future. You’re too important to risk.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I hate this. I hate feeling powerless.”

“I know,” Dimitri said softly. “But this isn’t weakness. It’s strategy. And strategy is how we win.”

The next day, Celestina was reminded once again of the ever-present danger surrounding her.

She had just finished a meeting with her cabinet when a guard burst into the room, his face pale.

“Madam President,” he said, trying to catch his breath. “We’ve found a bomb.”

Celestina froze, her heart racing. “Where?”

“Near the east wing of the palace,” the guard replied. “The bomb squad is already on it. We’ve evacuated the area, but it was set on a timer. If we hadn’t found it…”

Dimitri appeared in the doorway, his expression grim. “We need to move her to a secure location,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“I’m not running,” Celestina said firmly, standing her ground.

“Celestina—”

“No, Dimitri,” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “I’m not leaving the palace every time there’s a threat. That’s exactly what they want.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “This isn’t about pride. It’s about survival. You have a child to think about now. Do you really want to take that risk?”

Her resolve faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “Fine,” she said, her voice quieter. “But only until we know it’s safe.”

Dimitri nodded, signaling the guards to escort her out of the room.

That evening, after the bomb had been safely defused, Dimitri returned to his office. The day’s events weighed heavily on him, but there was no time to rest. The search for Celestina’s double had to continue.

He sat at his desk, poring over surveillance footage from public events, hoping for a stroke of luck. Hours passed, and fatigue began to set in.

Then, he saw her.

On the screen, a young woman walked through a crowded market, her posture and movements eerily similar to Celestina’s. She wore a simple dress and carried a basket of goods, her face partially obscured by the camera angle. But when she turned to speak to a vendor, Dimitri froze.

It wasn’t an exact match, but the resemblance was striking.

He immediately called Liora into the room. “I think I’ve found someone,” he said, pointing to the screen.

Liora leaned in, studying the footage. “She’s close,” she admitted. “Where was this taken?”

“Two weeks ago,” Dimitri replied. “In a small town near the border.”

Liora straightened. “I’ll send a team to track her down.”

Dimitri nodded, his mind already racing. “If she’s the one, we need to move quickly. Celestina doesn’t have time to waste.”