The Assistant Who Saved The Firm

Wyatt Montgomery was a titan of industry, a shark in the boardroom, andto put it bluntlyan absolute disaster when it came to his choice in women.

His track record was legendary for all the wrong reasons. Every woman he dated eventually turned into a high-maintenance hurricane, demanding his undivided attention and treating every other woman in his orbit like a threat to be neutralized. As his Chief of Staff, Id spent years perfecting the art of being invisible. I kept our interactions strictly professional, never texted him after hours unless the world was ending, and navigated his personal life with the caution of someone walking through a minefield.

It worked for five years. Until Callie Rivers entered the picture.

We were in the middle of a twelve-billion-dollar merger. It was the kind of deal that defined a career. At 3:00 AM, I was staring at the final version of the contract, bleary-eyed and fueled by cold espresso. Wyatts final instruction before he left the office had been crystal clear: I dont care what time it is, Natalie. Call me the second the final draft is ready. I need to sign off before the 9:00 AM closing.

I dialed. He declined. I dialed again. Declined.

Panic started to set in. If we missed the window, the whole deal would collapse. Desperate, I tried calling from my personal cell. This time, someone picked up. It wasn't Wyatt.

Do you have any concept of boundaries? a womans voice hissed. It was high, breathless, and sharp as a razor. Its the middle of the night. Why are you calling my man? Are you trying to seduce him, or are you just that pathetic?

Before I could get a single syllable outbefore I could say contract or billionsshe hung up. Ten seconds later, I realized she hadnt just hung up; shed blocked my number.

I sat in the silence of the empty office, fuming. I called the landline. No answer. I checked the company Slack. Wyatt was offline. I finally went home and crashed, figureing that if the world ended at 9:00 AM, at least Id be well-rested when it fell on Wyatts head, not mine.

Somehow, by some miracle or perhaps a massive concession on Wyatts part, the partners still showed up to sign. But just as we were about to put pen to paper in the boardroom, the door creaked open.

She slipped in like a wounded bird, her eyes rimmed with red, her bottom lip trembling.

Wyatt? Am I... am I interrupting something?

The room went dead silent. The investors looked at each other, confused. I felt the blood drain from my face.

Wyatt looked mortified. Callie, honey, go wait in my office. Ill be there as soon as were done.

But Callie didn't leave. She stepped further into the room, clutching a designer handbag like it was a shield. I just wanted to apologize to everyone personally.

Before Wyatt could stop her, she turned to the table of executives and performed three deep, dramatic bows. Im so sorry for interrupting your meeting. But this is very important.

The lead investors face turned a shade of purple I hadn't seen before. My colleagues stared at their laps, trying to phase out of existence. Callie, seemingly oblivious to the atmospheric pressure of the room, turned her tearful gaze on me.

Natalie, Im so sorry. I shouldn't have said you were trying to seduce Wyatt when you called at 3:00 AM. I wasn't being fair. I just... I love him so much, you know?

I stood there, frozen.

Ive always been so insecure, she continued, her voice rising in a shaky crescendo. Im just so scared hell realize hes too good for me. I only acted out because I care. Please, tell me you forgive me!

I opened my mouth, but she didn't wait. Its okay if you dont. I just had to do what was right. Apologizing in front of everyone... its the least I could do.

The silence that followed was agonizing. I cleared my throat and leaned toward Wyatt, whispering, Mr. Montgomery, perhaps your... guest... should step out so we can finalize the signature?

Wyatt caught my drift. Callie, thats enough. Go. Well talk later.

The tears, which had been simmering, finally boiled over. Wyatt! Why do you listen to her more than me? I apologized like you asked! I believed you when you said it was business, but I dont understand. What kind of business requires a woman to call a man at 3:00 AM? Its just the two of you... is that really appropriate?

She looked at me, then back at the room. Are you sure youre just colleagues?

The investors eyes shifted to me, heavy with silent judgment and sordid assumptions. I felt the heat crawling up my neck. I tried to pivot. Mr. Montgomery, why don't I take the partners through the product demo one last time while you... take a moment?

Wyatt looked at Callie, then at me. He sighed, a soft, defeated sound. He reached out and took Callies hand. Fine. Natalie, take over. Callie, lets go outside.

I thought the nightmare was ending. I was wrong.

Callie ripped her hand away from his. No! I thought I was overthinking it, but youre just doing whatever she says now! If you love her, just say it! You dont have to humiliate me in front of all these people!

I rubbed my temples. Humiliate her? Shed crashed a high-level closing, accused the Chief of Staff of being a homewrecker, and turned a billion-dollar deal into a soap opera. If anyone was being humiliated, it was the rest of us.

I looked at Wyatt. He was a brilliant man, a shark who could sniff out a bad deal from a mile away. How was he falling for this?

Maybe my face betrayed my thoughts, because Callies voice hit a pitch that could shatter glass. Look at her! Youre both sitting there, exchanging looks! Dont tell me theres nothing going on!

As his Chief of Staff, I was well aware that Wyatt had a type. I didn't judge; I didn't want his job, and I certainly didn't want his bed. My motto had always been Observe and ignore.

But after being screamed at at 3:00 AM and having my professional reputation set on fire in front of the board, my capacity for respectful observation had reached its limit.

The deal didn't happen that day. The investors walked out, their expressions ranging from disgusted to pitying. As I saw them to the elevator, one of them leaned in and whispered, Is Montgomery really the one running this company, or is he just a figurehead for the circus?

I couldn't even defend him. I was too exhausted.

When I got back to the lobby, Wyatt was still trying to soothe his crying girlfriend in front of the entire staff.

Callie, I swear, its just work, he pleaded. Natalie is my assistant. Thats why we talk. Its strictly professional.

Callie clung to his arm, sobbing into his blazer. I dont care! If she has to be near you all the time, then she has to go! Let me be your assistant. Im the only woman who should be allowed near you! All these other vultures... they just want whats mine!

I felt a wave of nausea. A vulture? Id worked eighty-hour weeks to keep his empire afloat, and now I was a vulture?

I tried to slip past them toward the freight elevator. I just wanted to go upstairs, pack my bag, and maybe scream into a pillow.

I didn't make it two steps.

Natalie Miller! Callie barked, her tear-streaked face suddenly cold. Wyatt said starting tomorrow, Im his only assistant. You can pack your things. Youre done.

I looked at Wyatt. Honestly? I was halfway hoping hed say yes. The severance package for five years of high-level service would be enough for me to disappear to a beach in Mexico for at least eighteen months. I waited for the God of Layoffs to bless me.

Wyatt frowned. He didn't look at me; he looked at Callie. Callie, dont be impulsive. Natalie is highly skilled. She beat out fifty other applicants for this role. I can't just fire her.

Callies eyes began to well up again. Wyatt immediately buckled. But... okay. Tell you what. You can be my assistant. Ill move Natalie to a different department. How does that sound?

Her face cleared instantly. Fine. As long as shes nowhere near you.

Wyatt told me I could pick my own department. On paper, my title changed. In reality, nothing did. Because his new assistant was about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. I was still doing the heavy lifting, just from a different floor.

To preserve my sanity, I chose a desk in the farthest corner of the Operations department, three floors down from the executive suite. But the peace didn't last twenty-four hours.

Most of my high-level files were encrypted, requiring Wyatts personal authorization. My new terminal was locked out. I pulled up my phone to message him, then hesitated. I didn't want to trigger another 3:00 AM meltdown. I called HR instead.

Hey, Sarah? Could you ask Wyatt to grant admin permissions to my new workstation? Im dead in the water without them.

Sarah, who knew exactly why Id been moved, sighed sympathetically. Im on it, Natalie.

I waited. I scrolled through some industry news. I grabbed a coffee. I knew Wyatt and Callie were probably playing house in his office, and I was fine with waiting as long as I was getting paid by the hour.

But by 5:30 PM, the permissions still hadn't come through. I couldn't leave my work unfinished; the whole supply chain was waiting on my clearance. I walked up to the executive floor and knocked on the door.

Of course, Callie opened it.

You again? How many times do I have to tell you to stop throwing yourself at him?

I didn't blink. I raised my voice so Wyatt could hear me inside. Mr. Montgomery, did you get the message from HR about my server access?

Before Wyatt could answer, Callie shoved me. Not hard, but enough to be an insult. Messages? Youre just making up excuses to talk to him. He told me you were professional, but youre just a stalker in a blazer.

That was it. My patience snapped.

I shoved back. I wasn't trying to hurt herI actually held back because she looked so fragilebut I wanted her out of my personal space.

Predictably, she played it for all it was worth. Callie stumbled back, her hip clipping the edge of Wyatts mahogany desk. She let out a gasp that sounded like shed been shot.

You... youre so violent! Wyatt! Help! She hurt me!

Wyatt rushed over to catch her as she collapsed. He shot me a look of pure irritation. Natalie, just get out! Leave!

I felt my heart turn to ice. Fine. Im going. But before I roll out of here, listen carefully. I asked HR to tell you four hours ago that I need server permissions to do my job. Its now the end of the day, and Ive done nothing. If those permissions aren't granted, do I stay home tomorrow, or do I come in and collect my salary for scrolling through TikTok?

Wyatt looked confused. I never got a message from HR.

Callie, clutching her hip, piped up. Oh, Wyatt, I saw you were so stressed earlier. When you went to lunch, I took your phone and logged your Slack and email onto my laptop so I could help you filter out the junk. I saw some message from Sarah in HR, but it didn't look important, so I deleted it.

Wyatts face went pale. It was the first time Id seen him look at her with anything other than adoration. Callie... Natalies work is the bottleneck for five different departments. If she stops, the company stops. Do you have any idea what youve done?

Seeing him upset, she started to tear up. I just... I thought she was trying to get to you again. I was trying to protect us!

I didn't even have the energy to scream. I just pulled out my phone and sent Wyatt a direct message. There. The request is in your inbox. Again.

I took a deep breath. Because of this delay, Im going to have to stay late to finish the audit. Ill be submitting the overtime request via the portal. Please make sure its approved. Along with the holiday pay, since tomorrow is a weekend.

I turned and walked out before she could start another scene.

I went back to my desk, fuming, but I started working. I couldn't let the whole company's progress stall because of a jealous girlfriend. About an hour into my focus, Callie appeared at my cubicle. She was holding a bowl of grapes.

Natalie, just go home. Stop working.

I didn't even look up from my screen.

If you dont leave, Wyatt wont leave, she said, her voice dropping that fake sweet tone. Hes tired because of you. Stop being so selfish and dragging him into your overtime.

I ignored her.

She pulled up a chair and sat down. For twenty minutes, she regaled me with the epic story of how she and Wyatt met at a gallery opening. It was mind-numbing.

Callie, I finally snapped, dont you have work to do?

She blinked, looking hurt. What?

If you actually care about Wyatt being tired, go help him with the filing or get him some dinner. You sitting here distracting me only makes this take longer. The longer Im here, the longer hes here. Basic math.

Her face twisted. You... you think Im useless, dont you? You think Im not good enough for him.

I didn't say a word. I didn't have to.

Natalie Miller, you are so mean! Ive tried to be nice! I brought you grapes! And you just humiliate me!

She stood up, her face red with rage. I reached for my phone to call security, but she was faster. In a fit of pique, she swept her arm across my desk.

My laptop, my monitor, my coffee mug, and my heavy glass paperweight went flying. The coffeea full, large lattesplashed directly into the floor-mounted power outlet.

There was a loud POP, a shower of blue sparks, and then total darkness. The entire floor went black. My computer screen flickered once and died.

I stared at the spot where my desk used to be, then at Callie, who was silhouetted by the emergency lights.

You really hate this company, don't you? I whispered. That was the only copy of the audit.

Wyatt came running out of his office a moment later. What happened? Why is the power out?

Before I could answer, Callie let out a blood-curdling wail. It was an accident! I didn't mean to!

Shut up and think for once, I snapped.

Suddenly, a thick, acrid smell filled the air. Below the desk, the power outlet wasn't just shortedit was glowing. A small flame licked up the side of the cubicle wall.

Fire! I shouted.

Before I could grab the extinguisher from the hallway, Callie grabbed the large jug of water from the cooler.

Ill fix it! See? I can help!

Callie, NO! Its an electrical fire!

She didn't listen. She dumped five gallons of water directly onto the flaming power strip.

The explosion was deafening. A massive arc of electricity threw her backward. The sparks hit the acoustic ceiling tiles, and within seconds, the flammable material was roaring. The fire alarms began to scream, and the overhead sprinklers failed to trigger.

The hallway was already filling with black smoke.