Strictly business (until it wasn't) - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Nat's POV
Y/N continued to anticipate my needs, from preparing reports to fielding calls and managing emails. After lunchtime, she noticed I hadn't left my office, my focus unwavering as I worked through a particularly demanding project. I had a few changes in my schedule pop up, Without being asked, Y/N decided to handle it.
A quiet knock on my office door made me look up. Y/N poked her head in and gave me a smile.
"I updated-" Y/N started.
I sat up straighter. "Yes, I saw that you changed my schedule for tomorrow. You're full of surprises, Miss. Y/L/N."
"Just doing my job," she said before turning to leave.
As the door closed behind her, I allowed myself a rare smile. This was only Y/N's first day, but she was already proving to be more than just capable, she was exceptional.
———
The next morning, I arrived at my office at precisely 7:00 a.m., as I did every day. I was greeted by the smell of freshly brewed coffee. My eyes narrowed on the empty desk outside of my office, wondering if all the work Y/N had done yesterday, everything to impress me was really her work ethic. Because if she wasn't here, she was late.
Y/N glanced up from the tablet in her hands and flashed a grin that was far too bright for that hour of the morning. She walked out to the foyer on the top floor, leaving the kitchen. She was holding a large cup of coffee that she held up towards me once she stepped closer.
"Morning, boss," Y/N said, stepping toward her. "Coffee, just how you like it."
I raised an eyebrow as I took the coffee from her. "For second I thought you were late. I'm glad you're not."
"Sorry, I was just putting my lunch away in the fridge." She apologised.
Taking a sip of my coffee, I glanced at Y/N, tilting my head. "What time did you get here?"
"6:30a.m.," she replied, hands in her pockets, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious."
"Prepared," Y/N corrected, lips twitching into a smirk.
My gaze lingered a little longer than it should have. The blazer Y/N wore today was fitted just right, and the sharp collar of her blouse framed her neck perfectly. The confidence she'd shown in the interview was still there, calm, cool, and unshakable.
"Hmm," I hummed, walking toward my office door. "Let's see if that preparation lasts."
"Bet it will," Y/N shot back, settling behind her desk as if she'd been there for months.
I glanced over my shoulder. Bold, again. I hid my smile behind my coffee cup.
By 9 a.m., I had already tested Y/N skills.
Three rescheduled meetings. Four unexpected calls. Two separate fires to put out, one metaphorical, one literal, thanks to a small mishap in the research lab. Normally, I would have to give my assistants step-by-step instructions to handle it all. But Y/N? Y/N moved like she was born for it.
I sat at my desk, eyes discreetly watching Y/N through the glass wall that separated us. My assistant was on a call. A second later, she switched to typing something on her tablet while still carrying on the conversation. Not once did she falter. Not once did she ask for help.
When she hung up, she glanced over and caught me looking.
By noon, I had stopped testing Y/N. I didn't need to anymore. She already knew exactly where everything was, who to call, and how to solve problems before I even asked.
When I stepped out of my office, Y/N was already handing me the file I needed.
"How did you—" I started.
"You changed the deadline for this task, so I just assumed." Y/N explained.
I stared for a second too long. She's dangerous, I thought, but not in the way I was used to. This wasn't a threat I could control. Y/N had slipped under my radar without me noticing.
"Efficient," I muttered, flipping through the file.
"Efficient is just a polite way of saying 'better than expected,'" Y/N quipped, eyes still on her screen.
My eyes flicked up. "Careful, Y/N. Confidence can be mistaken for arrogance."
"Not if you can back it up," she said, looking up at me with a smile that was just on the edge of smug.
I felt the warmth of something unfamiliar settle in my chest. Attraction. It wasn't sudden, like a lightning bolt. It was slower, like the steady warmth of a fire catching.
Interesting, I thought, taking one last glance at Y/N before heading for the elevator.
Very interesting.
Y/N's POV
I had been working here for over a week now. I was on top of everything and I actually liked it here. I could see why most people thought of Natasha as intimidating. She did slightly intimidate me, I just wasn't going to let her know that.
A few times I had seen the more ruthless side of her. Raising her voice at staff who hadn't listened in the first place and it was costing time and resources, in meetings with board members or business partners who had no clue about the hard work she puts in.
I think I caught her in a bad mood one morning. She had been on the phone in her office for over an hour. I had had two phone calls about rescheduling a meeting later that day and I had sent her an email about it so I wasn't disturbing her phone call. I needed to get back to the investors promptly, so when Natasha emerged from her office after the phone call and my email was left unanswered I approached her.
"Miss Romanoff, I just have a question regarding-"
Natasha spun around and glared at me. Clearly not happy.
"I'm obviously busy miss Y/L/N, send me an email" she said with a raised voice.
"I'm sorry, I just need-" I tried again.
The look I got was pure rage. I assumed wherever that phone call had entailed had really pissed her off.
"Y/N, I said I was busy! I- "she started raising her voice, but stopped herself. "Look, I know you can figure it out, whatever it is just change and I'll look at it later, I don't have time right now. I've got some things to sort out and finish that stupid presentation that I can't deal with now." And she stormed off.
It felt like she was about to berate me but had decided not to.
I swallowed after she left, releasing the breath I didn't realise I was holding. Like I said, I was slightly intimidated but I wasn't going to allow Natasha to see that. I went back to my desk. Found an open slot the following week and called the investors to change the meeting.
I had been watching Natasha, she worked hard, she was focused and unrelenting when it came to something she wanted. I admired her ethic and her commanding ways. She knew how she wanted her business to run and she did it extremely well.
It was hard not to notice just how truely beautiful she was, I caught myself staring way too often And sometimes I had to make sure I was focusing on the words she was actually saying instead of just watching her lips. It's stupid, I know. Natasha is my boss, I couldn't be thinking the way I was but I couldn't help it.
I was sitting at my desk, eating left overs from last night for lunch. I was working on one of the presentations Natasha had been struggling with. She was saying earlier that she couldn't come up with the right flow for the pitch. I had access to her documents so I thought I would try and help.
The hurried click of her heels was loud against the marble floors as she made her way to her office. Natasha glanced up from her phone and looked at me, her browns knitting together.
"I know people can't just walk up here without you or I letting them in, but this looks unprofessional, Y/N" Natasha frowned and then carried on to her office without another word.
She wasn't wrong, I should have been eating in the break room, I had just wanted to get that presentation done for her. She ate at her desk but this was her business so I wasn't going to argue. Instead of moving, I just threw the rest of my lunch out and carried on with the presentation, hoping that it could make up for her not being happy with me.
As the day went on I finished the work I had to do, the extra work Natasha had given me and the presentation she hadn't looked at again today. I packed up my things and headed to her office to say goodbye. As I peeked in, I saw her on the phone facing out at the view outside the windows. I didn't want to disturb her so I left.
I walked down the street in the direction of my apartment, wondering if who she was speaking to was her partner, I had no idea if she was in a relationship or not.
I typed out an email as I walked.
Miss Romanoff,
I had some spare time during lunch today and I wanted to try help you out. I had a look at the presentation that you said was frustrating you. If you don't like it I have the original saved. Just thought I would try lessen your work load.
Thank you for another great week. Have a lovely weekend and if you need anything please don't hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Y/N.
After hitting send, I pocketed my phone and kept walking home.
Later that night I sat on the couch in my living room, watching TV. I was trying to decide what to do with my weekend. I had to get grocery's, meal prep and do a general clean of my apartment. I also wanted to fit in a few things I enjoyed doing, a run in a park, watching tv shows and do some baking.
As I sat there, I checked my phone, noticing the email that had been sent hours ago.
Y/N,
I appreciate you going to the effort you did. I am actually impressed with your work and would love to discuss some things with you in the office tomorrow morning, if you don't mind coming in on a Saturday, it won't be for long.
Natasha Romanoff.
I didn't want to go in on the weekend, I wanted time to myself. But I secretly wanted extra time with Natasha. I quickly typed back a reply saying I would be there in the morning.