An Influencer's Edge

Evelyn sat at her desk in the lab, her fingers drumming restlessly against the keyboard. The glow of her computer screen illuminated her face, but her mind was far from the data she was supposed to be analysing. She glanced down at her toned arms, her sculpted waist, her long, athletic legs—all stolen from unsuspecting women at the gym. She looked incredible, and yet… Marcus hadn’t even batted an eye.

What does he want from me? she thought, frustration bubbling up inside her. She had the body she’d always dreamed of, but it wasn’t enough. Marcus still treated her like she was invisible, like she was just another colleague. She needed more. She needed charm, charisma, something that would make him truly notice her.

The sound of laughter drew her attention. A group of coworkers was gathered near the coffee machine, their voices animated as they discussed something on one of their phones. Evelyn strained to hear, catching snippets of their conversation.

“Did you see Isabelle’s latest post? She’s literally glowing.”

“Ugh, I wish I had her confidence. She’s, like, the queen of charisma.”

“Right? And that outfit? Iconic.”

Evelyn’s ears perked up. Isabelle Cruz. She’d heard the name before—a social media influencer with hundreds of thousands of followers. Isabelle was known for her effortless charm, her impeccable style, and her ability to command attention wherever she went. She was everything Evelyn wasn’t.

That’s it, Evelyn thought, a spark of determination igniting in her chest. If I can’t win Marcus over with my body, maybe I can win him over with my personality.

She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, her mind already racing with plans. She needed to find Isabelle, and she needed to do it fast.

The café was just a few blocks from the lab, a trendy spot with exposed brick walls, hanging plants, and the faint aroma of freshly ground coffee. Evelyn stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. It didn’t take long to spot her target.

Isabelle Cruz sat at a corner table, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders in perfect waves. She was dressed in a chic, oversized blazer and high-waisted jeans, her makeup flawless and her nails perfectly manicured. A latte sat in front of her, untouched, as she focused on her phone, her fingers flying across the screen as she typed out a caption for her latest IG story.

Evelyn’s heart raced as she approached, the Swap Gun hidden in her bag. She ordered a coffee and found a seat nearby, her eyes never leaving Isabelle. The influencer exuded confidence, her every movement graceful and deliberate. She laughed at something on her phone, the sound light and melodic, and Evelyn felt a pang of envy.

_This is it, _she thought, her fingers tightening around the Swap Gun. This is what I need.

She waited until Isabelle stood to grab a napkin, then quickly aimed the gun and selected Popularity, Charisma, and Poise from the menu. The blue light flashed, and Evelyn felt a strange warmth spread through her chest, like a wave of confidence washing over her. Her posture straightened, her shoulders rolling back as her movements became more fluid and deliberate. She felt… different. Powerful. Magnetic.

Across the room, Isabelle paused, her hand going to her chest as if she’d been struck by a sudden wave of self-doubt. She glanced around, her usual confidence faltering as she felt the weight of the room’s attention shift away from her. What’s happening? she thought, her brow furrowing. Why do I feel so… small? She shook her head, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling, but it lingered, a shadow over her usual radiant demeanour.

Evelyn, meanwhile, felt like a completely different person. Her phone instantly started blowing up with notifications as she realised the gun had rewritten reality so now she was a social media influencer and not Isabelle. She stood, her movements graceful and assured, and headed for the door. As she passed Isabelle’s table, the influencer glanced up, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she sensed something was off. But Evelyn didn’t look back. She had what she came for.

Back at the lab, the changes were immediate. As Evelyn walked through the door, heads turned. Her coworkers looked up from their desks, their eyes drawn to her like magnets. Even Marcus glanced up.

“Evelyn!” one of her coworkers called, waving her over. “We’re heading to the charity gala tonight. You should come!”

Evelyn blinked, surprised. “The charity gala?”

“Yeah! It’s going to be huge. Celebrities, influencers, the works. You’d love it.”

Evelyn hesitated, then smiled. “Sure, why not?”

As she walked back to her desk, she noticed Marcus watching her, his expression unreadable. Her heart skipped a beat, but she **** herself to stay calm. _This is it, _she thought. This is my chance.

She approached his desk, her confidence radiating like a **** field. “Hey, Marcus,” she said, her voice smooth and assured. “I was wondering… would you like to be my date to the charity gala tonight?”

Marcus looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers. For a moment, he seemed taken aback, but then he smiled—a small, polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Sure, Evelyn. That sounds… fun.”

Evelyn’s heart soared, but she kept her expression neutral. “Great. I’ll see you there.”

Later that evening, Evelyn felt like a queen. She wore a sleek, form-fitting gown that accentuated her new curves, her hair styled in loose waves that cascaded down her back. She moved through the crowd with ease, her charisma drawing people to her like moths to a flame. But her eyes kept drifting to Marcus, who stood at the edge of the room, his expression distant.

She approached him, her smile bright and confident. “Having fun?”

Marcus glanced at her, his smile polite but distant. “Yeah, it’s… nice.”

Evelyn’s heart sank, but she **** herself to keep smiling. “You should mingle more. Everyone’s dying to meet you.”

Marcus shrugged, his attention already drifting. “Maybe later.”

As she walked away, Evelyn’s mind raced. She had the body, the charm, the confidence—but it still wasn’t enough. Marcus still didn’t see her. Not really.

What else do I need to do? she thought, her frustration mounting. What will it take to make him notice me?

Evelyn stood alone in the middle of the gala, her newfound charisma unable to mask the emptiness she felt inside. She had taken so much from others, but it still wasn’t enough. And as she glanced at the Swap Gun hidden in her clutch, she realised she wasn’t done yet. Not even close.