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Weiss lived for competition. Whether it was at school, her father’s company, or even within her own family. She had to be the best. There was no other option.
She fought tooth and nail for everything she had. Her father made it as difficult as possible for her to rise through the ranks of the Schnee Delivery Company, throwing obstacles in her way at every opportunity. It took her years to become COO, each promotion feeling like a hard-won battle rather than a natural step forward.
She handled the challenges with grace, while her father scowled at her success.
It pleased her to be a thorn in his side after everything he put her through. But this? This wasn’t just another hurdle. It was an insult.
Whitley had barely turned twenty-one when he graduated from Argus University with a degree in business. He had been an average student, struggling to maintain a spot on the Dean’s List.
Yet here he was, the youngest CFO in SDC history, gifted a corner office, a personal secretary, and privileges Weiss had fought half a decade to earn.
Weiss loathed him for it. And he knew it.
It had taken her six months of running operations flawlessly before she was even allowed to consider hiring a secretary, despite desperately needing one. Meanwhile, Whitley had been given a secretary with years of experience, someone skilled enough to cover for his inevitable mistakes.
Weiss told herself it didn’t matter. That her competitive drive would carry her forward until she secured her rightful place as CEO. No matter how much resistance her father put up, she would fix his mistakes the second she had the power to do so.
Until then, she had to stay ahead of Whitley. She would be the next CEO. Everyone knew it.
And Whitley? He was desperate to stop her.
Which is why he sent his secretary to distract her.
His sweet, too-kind, frustratingly endearing secretary. The one who definitely did not make Weiss’ afternoons feel a little less soul-crushing. The one who absolutely did not make her pause at the end of the day before heading home.
She felt nothing toward Ruby Rose. Nothing except annoyance. Irritation.
Not relief when Ruby smiled. Not warmth in her chest when she saw her. Only irritation.
"Just look at her. Running around my office space like that. She’s going to trip and break something."
Penny startled her with an amused hum. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about her spilling coffee on our projection models?”
Weiss stiffened. Had she said that out loud?
“…Did I say that out loud?” she asked, feigning disinterest.
“Yes.” Penny tilted her head. “Yes, you did.”
Weiss exhaled sharply, turning her attention back to her desk. This was exactly what Whitley wanted. Run a cute girl in front of her face and see if it was enough to shake her focus.
Not that she thought Ruby was cute.
Or that she noticed the way her dress shirts fit just right. Or how bright her eyes got when she was deep in conversation. Or the way she somehow managed to make an SDC badge look charming.
Weiss narrowed her eyes at her reflection in the dark screen of her laptop.
Whitley had miscalculated. She wasn’t some foolish schoolgirl with a crush. She was the COO of the Schnee Delivery Company. She had no distractions.
Her gaze flickered back to the window. Ruby stood by the coffee station, chatting animatedly with May, the office manager. Weiss caught the way Ruby tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, laughing at something May said.
Weiss’ lips twitched before she caught herself.
Damn it.
She closed her laptop with a little too much force.
“Are you alright?” Penny asked, far too entertained.
Weiss smoothed her blouse and grabbed a stack of reports. “I have work to do.”
She would not be distracted.
Ruby hated being negative. Really, she did. But some people deserved negativity. Like her boss.
Whitley Schnee was a spoiled brat. He couldn’t do anything for himself, and worse, he expected her to make up for his shortcomings. The man had a fancy title and an expensive suit, but beneath all that? Useless.
Still, the promotion came with perks she couldn’t pass up. After months of job-hunting, she wasn’t about to throw away a position at the Schnee Delivery Company, no matter how much she wanted to throw Whitley out a window.
So, she did the grunt work. The late nights. The dirty work. The CFO work, though no one was supposed to know about that part. Technically, she didn’t even have clearance for half the files she handled, but Whitley always brushed it off. “Handle it, Rose. I don’t have time for this nonsense.”
Right. Because she had time for it. At least there was one silver lining to her job.
Weiss Schnee.
Whitley’s older sister, the company’s COO, and, according to Whitley himself, his greatest enemy. He didn’t care about the company. He didn’t care about anything, really, aside from making her life difficult. And for some reason, he thought Ruby was the perfect tool for the job.
He set up her desk directly in Weiss’s line of sight, stationed in the open space between their offices. Why? She had no idea. Maybe he thought Weiss would be annoyed by her presence. Maybe he just wanted to remind his sister that he had power over someone.
Either way, she wasn’t complaining.
Where Whitley commanded, Weiss led. She worked with her employees, not over them. She was strict, yes, and sometimes a little intense, but it came from caring. She cared about the company, the work, the people, and maybe even Ruby. Not that she’d ever assume that.
To everyone else, Weiss was The Ice Queen. Sharp-tongued and brutally efficient. And sure, sometimes she was cold to her, accusing Ruby of spying for Whitley or sabotaging work. But even then, she wasn’t cruel. Not like him.
Ruby saw the difference. The way Weiss stayed late, the way she thanked people for their work. The way she was gentle with Penny, her secretary, even when stressed. The way Ruby wanted to believe she saw her.
Shaking herself out of those thoughts, Ruby focused on the task at hand—her latest, very important mission from Whitley Schnee:
"Use every last French vanilla pod so Weiss can’t have any."
She sighed, pressing the button on the coffee machine and watching the last pod brew. The things I do for a paycheck.
Still, as she glanced up, her eyes wandered to Weiss’s office. Weiss sat with Penny, gesturing toward documents spread across her desk. Penny, ever diligent, nodded along, eyes alight with interest. Weiss’s expression was soft, her usual sharpness melting into something patient, something warm.
Ruby felt something in her chest tighten.
Weiss flicked her hair over her shoulder, and Ruby snapped her head forward so fast it nearly gave her whiplash.
Oh my god, pull it together.
The last cup finished brewing. Ruby sighed, adding just enough creamer and sugar to make it exactly how Weiss liked it. Not that I know that. Or that I pay attention. Nope. Not at all.
She hesitated for only a second before walking to Penny’s desk, setting the coffee down with a quick scribbled note.
For Weiss :)
Then she turned on her heel and booked it, handing out the rest of the coffee at random. By the time Penny left Weiss’s office, Ruby was long gone. But the coffee was still there, waiting.
And so was the note.
~ ~ ~ One Week Later ~ ~ ~
Weiss sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. The sound was sharp, full of frustration.
Whitley had called her the night before, asking, begging, really, to borrow her chauffeur, claiming his had suddenly fallen ill and he needed a ride for an urgent business meeting.
She had known better. Knew full well that her brother’s urgent business meetings usually involved overpriced cocktails and some half-hearted schmoozing. But despite every warning in her mind, she had still sent her chauffeur over, prioritizing the company’s image over her own inconvenience.
And now? Now, ten minutes before he was supposed to pick her up, her chauffeur had texted, saying he had another more important client to attend to.
She knew who that client was. That insufferable brat.
It had taken her another ten minutes just to get Blake to pick up her phone, no doubt sleeping over at her loudmouthed blonde brawler’s apartment again. And by the time her so-called best friend had actually made it to her place, Weiss was already thirty minutes late for work. For the first time in her life.
At least Penny had been in early and had the foresight to cover for her.
But now, as she stood in front of the elevator, she could feel her patience wearing dangerously thin. It had been two minutes. Two. Full. Minutes.
Weiss debated the likelihood of making it up nineteen flights of stairs in heels before she heard the ding of the elevator finally arriving. The doors slid open, revealing none other than Ruby Rose.
She stood inside, arms full of packets with Whitley’s letterhead stamped across the top. The moment she saw Weiss, her expression faltered, her shoulders tensing, grip tightening on the papers until they crumpled slightly. Still, she forced a small, sheepish smile.
Weiss ignored it, stepping into the elevator. Of course Whitley would send Ruby to waste more of her time. Should’ve taken the stairs.
She hit the button for the nineteenth floor, tapping her heel against the ground impatiently as the doors closed. For the first few floors, the silence was almost bearable.
Then, Ruby mumbled something under her breath.
Weiss barely spared her a glance. “What?” Ruby flinched slightly, and Weiss sighed, forcing her irritation to level out. “I couldn’t hear you.”
Ruby hesitated. “I, um—”
CRASH.
The elevator lurched violently.
Weiss grabbed for the handrail, her stomach plummeting as the metal groaned around them. The lights flickered-once, twice-before cutting out completely.
A sharp gasp sounded beside her, followed by a thud. Ruby had hit the floor, landing hard on her knees before collapsing back, barely catching herself. The packets she had been holding scattered around her.
Weiss barely took a second to catch her breath before kneeling beside her. “Are you hurt?”
Ruby hissed, shifting slightly. “I’m fine. Just—ow.”
Weiss’s eyes flickered downward, scanning for injuries.
Her knee was scraped. Nothing severe, but enough to make Weiss frown. Instinctively, she reached out, about to check the other when
Her gaze drifted.
Ruby had shifted slightly, the hem of her skirt riding just a little higher from the fall. It was only now, in the dim light of the elevator, that Weiss fully registered just how short it actually was. Sleek black fabric hugging toned thighs, revealing just enough to be distracting. The lack of stockings only made it worse, her bare skin smooth and very much in Weiss’s direct line of sight.
And then there was her blouse. Slightly unbuttoned at the top, a delicate white bralette peeking out, the faintest hint of lace against pale skin-
Nope. Absolutely not.
Weiss yanked her head up so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash, clearing her throat sharply as Ruby subtly repositioned herself, legs firmly closed.
“This is ridiculous,” Weiss muttered, standing. “I’ll call for help.”
She reached for the emergency button, pressing it once. A shrill alarm rang through the small space, but otherwise—nothing. Weiss pressed it again. Another loud ring. No response.
She exhaled sharply, glancing down at Ruby. The younger woman was still seated on the floor, but this time, she was looking at Weiss. Amusement flickered in her silver eyes. A small smile pulled at her lips.
“It’ll be okay,” she said simply.
Weiss felt herself still. For all the stress, all the irritation, all the absolute nonsense Whitley had put her through that morning—Ruby’s optimism cut through it all like a blade.
Slowly, Weiss let out a breath. “…Yeah,” she muttered, almost surprised at herself. “You’re right.”
~ ~ ~ 5 Minutes Later ~ ~ ~
“I am starting to think things will not be okay.”
Weiss exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples as she leaned against the side wall of the tiny elevator. As if her morning hadn’t been disastrous enough, now she was trapped in a confined space, with Whitley’s secretary, of all people. And Ruby, of course, had chosen today of all days to experiment with a new wardrobe that was entirely inappropriate for Weiss’s mental stability.
This is ridiculous. I'm was Weiss Schnee, COO of the SDC. I have spent years outmaneuvering men twice as ruthless as Whitley, yet one smiling secretary in a too-tight skirt has me second-guessing my own professionalism?
She sighed, glancing at the unresponsive emergency button. They had pressed it multiple times, debating how often was too often, but in the end, it hadn’t mattered. No one answered.
“Maybe it’s a blackout affecting the whole building?” Ruby suggested from where she sat on the floor, her legs tucked neatly together, the scrape on her knee now dried.
Weiss entertained the thought, then shook her head. “We know the button works because the alarm sounds. The issue is that the person on the other end isn’t responding.”
“Oh,” Ruby murmured, sounding small.
Weiss eyed her carefully. She shouldn’t feel bad. Ruby was part of Whitley’s scheme, maybe not actively, but she was still a piece on his chessboard. Still, the sight of her sitting there, knees pulled in, brows drawn together in quiet frustration, it made Weiss’s irritation wane.
At least he’s not yelling at her.
Weiss nearly cursed aloud at her own thought. Instead, she pushed it aside, choosing to focus on their options. After the button failed, her next instinct had been to use her phone, but of course, there was no signal.
If they were going to be found, it would be because someone needed to use this elevator. And the only people with access to this private level were high-ranking executives. That meant her, her father, or Whitley. Neither of the latter two would come looking for them anytime soon.
Her eyes flickered back to Ruby, who sat in silence, her expression unreadable. Weiss allowed herself to observe her. Not stare, just… assess.
The secretary was deep in thought. At least, that’s what Weiss assumed until molten silver suddenly locked onto her. Weiss inhaled sharply, realizing too late that she’d been caught.
Ruby tilted her head, blinking at her curiously. “Hm? What is it?”
Panic. There was no way Weiss could admit she’d been watching her. Absolutely not.
“You,” she started, scrambling for a deflection. “You were about to say something before the elevator stopped.” It was a lie, but a convincing one. “What was it?”
She barely registered the way Ruby’s cheeks darkened in the dim light. “Oh… I forgot about that,” Ruby muttered, shifting slightly.
Weiss folded her arms, keeping her expression neutral. What could she possibly have to say to me?
Ruby took a slow breath before finally looking up at her. “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
The words didn’t compute. Weiss blinked. “What?” It slipped out before she could process it. “What do you mean?”
Ruby hesitated, her fingers toying with the hem of her skirt. She exhaled shakily. “I know Whitley messes with you,” she admitted. “I know he uses me to do it, and I just, I’m sorry. I don’t know what it is about me that makes it so easy for him, but I don’t want to be part of whatever game he’s playing. I wish I could, I mean, I want to support you, but I also-” She swallowed. “I need this job. And that means…”
“Ruby.” Weiss’s voice was steady, firm. She crouched down in front of her, waiting until their eyes met before continuing. “I know what my brother is like. I know exactly what he’s doing. But I have never blamed you for his actions.” Ruby’s lips parted slightly. “I know you work hard,” Weiss continued, softer now. “I know you value your job. And I know Whitley’s demands are not your values. That’s why I’ve never held any of it against you.” She exhaled. “In fact… I find it admirable that you manage to put up with his nonsense.”
The space between them was small, too small. Weiss became acutely aware of how Ruby’s breathing had quickened, how her silver eyes were impossibly wide, how her lips-
Weiss’s thoughts came to a screeching halt when she realized Ruby had noticed exactly where her gaze had wandered.
The younger woman ducked her head, cheeks burning. “I never knew you thought that way,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper, but somehow loud in Weiss’s ears.
Weiss felt uncharacteristically off-balance, the sudden weight of something settling in her chest. She tried to recover, offering a small, supportive smile. “It’s true,” she said, falling back on what was safe. “You’re an incredibly hard worker. Your talents are wasted on a lazy, selfish man.”
Ruby let out a breathless laugh. “I guess that’s what I’ve always liked about you.”
Weiss froze. Did she- did she just-?
Weiss schooled her expression, but her entire body felt locked in place. Ruby, unaware of the chaos she had just unleashed, continued speaking, voice softer now. “You care about this company. About the people around you. You’re stern, but fair. You fight for what’s right, even when it’s hard.” Ruby hesitated, looking away for a moment before pushing forward. “You even look out for me.”
Her stomach flipped.
“It’s why I um-” Weiss was staring at her. Too intently. And Ruby noticed. There were only two options: fight or flight. She chose fight. “It’s why I like you.”
The air disappeared. Weiss’s bag slipped from her shoulder, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Out spilled its contents, a pen, a makeup bag, something else entirely insignificant because Ruby liked her. She liked her.
Weiss barely had time to react before Ruby, flustered and clearly looking for an escape, reached for the pen and the makeup bag. But then she paused. “Do you have tweezers in here?”
Weiss blinked. “What?”
Ruby glanced at the outline of the makeup bag, then back at her. “Tweezers,” she repeated. “I think I can fix the elevator.”
Weiss nodded, dazed. “I- yes?”
Without another word, Ruby shot to her feet, wincing slightly at her knee, and kicked off her heels. She hobbled over to the control panel, rummaging through Weiss’s bag with expert precision. In an instant, she had the tweezers in one hand and Weiss’s eyelash curler in the other.
Weiss watched in stunned silence as Ruby efficiently dismantled the panel, slicing wires, rerouting connections, and doing something Weiss definitely couldn’t follow. In less than two minutes, the elevator flickered back to life.
Weiss exhaled sharply, still processing what she’d just witnessed. “That was…” She swallowed. “That was amazing.”
Ruby smiled shyly, cheeks still tinged pink. “Thank you, Ms. Schnee.”
“Weiss,” the COO corrected without hesitation. “Call me Weiss.”
Ruby blinked before smiling again this time, warmer. “Weiss,” she said, testing the name on her tongue. Weiss nearly shivered. “Thank you, Weiss.”
A chime rang through the small space. The elevator doors slid open.
Weiss moved on autopilot, grabbing one of the crumpled packets from Ruby’s arms and scribbling something across the top. “You’re extremely talented, Ms. Rose,” she said smoothly, tearing the page off and handing it back to her. “Please find the time to contact me outside of work hours regarding a better-fitting position.”
Ruby blinked, then looked down at the note. Weiss walked away before she could react.
Call me. 63600-32812-80617.
Ruby clutched the packet to her chest, smiling softly. “Of course, Ms. Schnee.” For the first time in a long time, Weiss felt like smiling, too.
As she settled into her chair, her fingers drumming lightly against the desk, she cast a glance through the glass wall of her office. Ruby was already seated at her desk, flipping through some files, but Weiss could see it. The way she clutched that packet to her chest like it held something important. Like she wasn’t sure what to do with it.
Good. That meant Weiss wasn’t the only one affected.
Before she could second-guess herself, Weiss picked up her phone and dialed a number. Across the office, Ruby startled as her phone buzzed on her desk. Her silver eyes met Weiss’s through the glass. Weiss raised an eyebrow.
Pick up.
Ruby hesitated, then answered. “Uh, hello?”
Weiss smirked. “Just checking to see if you got my note.”
Ruby laughed softly, leaning back in her chair. “Yeah. I, uh… I saw it.”
“And?”
There was a beat of silence. Then, to Weiss’s surprise, Ruby asked, “If I called you, would it be for a job offer… or a date?”
Weiss’s breath caught. She had expected to be the one taking control of the conversation but, of course, Ruby always had a way of throwing her off balance.
“…That depends,” Weiss answered carefully. “Which one would you be interested in?”
Ruby hummed, twirling a pen between her fingers. “I think I’d like both.”
Weiss chuckled, tilting her head. “Ambitious.”
“Mm. But I’m especially interested in the second option,” Ruby admitted, her voice quieter, almost shy. “So, if I were to… say, invite you out for drinks tonight, would that be appropriate?”
A slow smirk spread across Weiss’s lips. “It would be highly inappropriate,” she teased. Ruby laughed, and Weiss softened. After a pause, Weiss let her voice drop just slightly. “But I’d still say yes.”
Through the glass, Ruby beamed. “Good. It’s a date, then.”
Weiss shook her head fondly. “It’s a drink.”
Ruby’s grin widened. “Sure, Weiss.” Weiss rolled her eyes, but she was smiling as Ruby eyed her across the room.
She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. This was dangerous. This was reckless. This was unprofessional. And she couldn’t wait for tonight
Right before hanging up, Weiss lowered her voice just a little and said, "Oh, and Ruby?"
Ruby swallowed. "Yeah?"
"Wear that blouse again tonight." Click.