Carlos POV
I was brushing my teeth when my reflection in the mirror made me pause. The dream flashed in my mind again—Elena, smiling, so vivid it sent a jolt through me. My hand went to my mouth. Was I… feeling something for her? My eyes widened, panic rising.
I finished brushing quickly and opened the door. And there she was, standing in front of me.
"Good morning!" she chirped, bright as ever.
I froze. My gaze dropped to her lips, and heat rushed to my face. No. I turned away, muttering to myself, Get a grip, Carlos!
Then she appeared beside me again.
"Are you okay?" she asked, lightly tapping my arm.
"Y-yeah… I'm fine," I stammered, my voice betraying me.
"Really?"
Before I could respond, something else—or someone—interrupted me. My phone buzzed, an unknown number flashing a photo of a human skull. My pulse jumped. I looked around, but the street was empty. Shoving the phone into my pocket, I rushed out.
At headquarters, Jenna met me instantly, guiding me into the planning room. And there it was—my face, staring back at me on the big screen.
"What… why is that my photo?" I asked, setting my bag down.
"That's not you," Jam replied.
I laughed nervously. "Not me? Then who… my twin?" Their expressions told me they weren't joking.
"Be honest," Jam pressed. "Were you lying when you said you only had one sibling?"
I swallowed hard. "It's just me and my brother."
"Are you sure?" they asked together.
"What's your problem?" I snapped, irritation creeping in.
Jenna just shook her head. "Weird…"
"What's weird?" I asked.
She pointed to the screen. "Why do you look exactly like him?"
"Wait… what do you mean? That's me!" I insisted, pointing at the photo.
"No. We've been investigating Dr. Smith's youngest daughter," Luis said. I froze. Elena?
"Turns out, the police had an encounter on the day of Kim Elena's wedding. She had a police boyfriend. When we saw his photo, we were stunned—you look exactly like him. That man on the screen is SPO3 Leo San Agustin, Kim Elena Madrigal's ex-boyfriend."
I stumbled forward, staring at the screen. SPO3 Leo San Agustin? I… I look like him?
"He resigned long ago after the wedding. We need to find him—he might know something about the Madrigal family," Luis added.
"Where is he now?" I asked.
"No one knows if he's even alive," Jenna said quietly.
I stared at the screen, mind spinning. Why do we look identical? And why did I feel a strange, uneasy sense about him returning?
Later that afternoon, we found some videos and photos of Leo and Elena together. Watching them, I felt like I was intruding in moments that should have been mine—or should have been hers.
Where did they even get this? Instagram, Jam said. Lucky for us, he hadn't deleted anything. I watched them… their laughter, their closeness.
I could feel my fists clench, the heat rising in my chest. Jealousy. Anger. I didn't want it, but I couldn't stop it. I stormed out, needing air, trying to calm myself.
Deep breaths. I loosened my fingers. I'm not jealous. I can't be.
And then… I saw her. Elena, standing there, watching me. Her gaze innocent, but piercing.
"Are you… jealous?" she asked quietly.
I turned away. "No! Just… go away!"
"Why are you so worked up?" she pressed, following me.
I faced her, frustration boiling. She looked so calm, so composed. And somehow, that made it worse.
"Can you just leave my head?!" I shouted internally, and forced myself back inside.
"Are you okay?" I heard her whisper again.