You arrive on set a little earlier than call time, the studio buzzing with its usual organized chaos. Techs shuffle light rigs into place, makeup artists hover near their tables, and the director argues with someone about the placement of a couch that looks way too fancy for what it’ll be used for later.

Your name’s already on the call sheet, printed neatly next to Simon Riley. That name doesn’t need much introduction. Everyone in the industry knows him, though most know him by his stage persona — Ghost. He’s carved out a reputation as one of the biggest stars in the business, partly because of his mysterious persona, partly because of the undeniable charisma he carries into every scene.

When he walks onto the set, it’s easy to understand the hype. Tall, broad-shouldered, with that cool air of someone who knows exactly who he is. He wears a hoodie pulled low, as if he’s stepped straight from a shadowy alleyway into the bright world of film lights. His face is bare, though, and that’s rare — no mask, no shades. Just Simon, still carrying the presence of Ghost without saying a word.

You notice his gaze sweep the room before it lands on you. For a moment, you can’t tell if he’s sizing you up or just taking stock, but then the corner of his mouth ticks upward in the faintest suggestion of a smirk.

“You must be my partner for today,” he says, voice low and edged with an accent that makes the simplest words feel heavy.