I watched the unfolding scene on the set with sharp, calculating eyes. The artist-a famous one, no doubt in the middle of a dramatic pose, the kind that could either make or break a campaign. Every detail mattered, from the lighting bathing her in just the right glow to how her dress caught air at each pre-orchestrated turn. And it was my job to keep it that way.

The five years in this industry had taught me one thing: that appearances mean everything. And in advertising, a mistake could cost a company its reputation. I loved my job, but I knew the game. Tonight, though, the stakes felt higher, like something hung suspended in the air, moving just under the surface.