99 Days With My Billionaire Boss

Chapter 1 - The Black Velvet Box

Evelyn's POV

The steady beeping of the heart monitor fills the hospital room. My fingers tremble as I hold Grandma’s cold hand, watching her chest rise and fall under the oxygen mask.

Tears roll down my cheeks. I wipe them quickly. Grandma always hated it when I cried, said tears stole strength you might need later.

“You have to do something, Miss Brown,” the doctor says quietly. “Her condition is worsening. She needs the surgery. It’s the only way to save her.”

His words echo in my head.

Surgery… the only way to save her.

But where on earth am I going to get that kind of money? Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I earn barely enough to keep the lights on. Even if I sold everything I owned, it wouldn’t cover the fee.

A nurse rushes in. “Dr. Hans, your attention is needed. It’s urgent.”

The nurse looks worried.

"Alright," the doctor nods in acknowledgement.

The nurse leaves immediately.

“I have to go now, Miss Brown” the doctor says with a sympathetic look, “If you get the money soon, we will do our best to save your grandmother”

I don’t know what to say. Tears blur my vision as I watch him leave.

I turn back to Grandma. She looks so fragile. I can’t lose her. She’s all I have left.

I lean closer, “Nana, please hang on, okay? I will get help,” I whisper, my voice shaking.

Promises are dangerous things. Grandma raised me not to make one unless I was ready to bleed for it. For her, I am ready to do anything. Even if she can’t hear me, it feels like an oath I have to keep.

I kiss her forehead, inhale her fading lavender scent, and force myself to let go.

The moment I step out of the hospital room, the air feels colder and heavier. But I don’t have time to break down. I need money, and I need it fast.

There’s only one person I can think of.

Aiden Gray. The young CEO who took over Gray Airways, one of the oldest and wealthiest airlines in the country. An empire with the largest fleet, the finest facilities, and the most premium services. And unfortunately, he’s also my boss.

I rush to my car, an old SUV that has been breaking down more often than it runs.

“Come on, please,” I whisper, twisting the key in the ignition. “Just this once.” I beg it to start as if it could hear me.

It takes three desperate turns before the engine coughs to life. “Thank goodness!” I shift the gear lever, reversing out of the parking lot.

“I need to see you, Aiden… I need to” I mutter as I hit the road.

Rain starts to fall midway, blurring the road. The old wipers squeak uselessly across the windshield. “Please…” I pray, not sure if I am begging God, the car, or time itself.

When I reach Gray Towers, the headquarters of Gray Airways, I dash inside.

The security guard gives me that look again, the one that questions if I really belong here. He doesn’t even need to speak, the way his eyes drop to my janitor badge says it all.

I hurry to the lower-level locker room, change into my uniform, and run to the maintenance room to grab my cleaning cart. 

The rest of the janitors are probably in their stations, as my cart is the only one left in the maintenance room.

I know I am late, so I ran to the elevator. But before I step in, a voice booms behind me.

“Evelyn Brown!”

It's Mr. Jenkins, my supervisor.

“You are late again!”

I turn to him. “I am so sorry, sir. My grandma is sick, that’s why I…”

“Who cares?” he snaps.

Who cares?
I do.

I swallow the scream rising in my throat.

“If you can’t do the job, drop your badge and get out!”

He’s threatened me before. Once more, and he will mean it.

“I am sorry, sir,” I mutter.

“Then get to work.”

Tears gather in my eyes.

Be strong, Evelyn… be strong.

I calm myself, walk into the elevator and press the top button. 

I shut my eyes, rehearsing how I will approach Aiden.

Ding!

The elevator stops and the door opens.

I step out with my cart and find Gabriela, another janitor already cleaning the open office area. She smiles and waves.

I force a smile back, inhale deeply, and walk toward the CEO’s private office. I need to finish quickly before he arrives. If he comes and finds his office dirty, he won't listen to whatever I have to say.

I start wiping down his desk, my heart pounding at the thought of asking him for help later. He’s the only one who could save Grandma, but I’ve seen how he treats people like me… unseen, unimportant.

Still, I have to try.

I accidentally knock something off the desk. It lands softly on the carpet. I bend to pick it up. It’s a small black velvet box.

I almost returned it from where it fell from, but curiosity takes over... and I open it.

Inside is a ring so flawless it seems to glow. Will it even fit me?

I look around, nobody is watching.

I want to give it a try but I am scared.

I hesitate, my throat tight.

This isn’t mine. Touching it feels like crossing a line, but I can't fight the urge to try it on my finger.

Against my better judgment, I take my glove off and slide the ring onto my finger.

It fits perfectly. Too perfectly. Like it had been waiting.

Who is Aiden planning to propose to? Miss Hayes, his secretary... or Miss Blake from sales? Everyone knows they are obsessed with him.

But, maybe the ring is for someone else entirely. I can't imagine who that might be.

I smile at the ring as it glitters.

My fantasy ends abruptly when I see him approaching through the glass wall… tall, composed, devastatingly handsome. Miss Hayes trails behind him.

Panic slams into me so hard my chest tightens. This isn’t fear, it’s the certainty that I’ve already done something unforgivable.

“Oh no,” I gasp, tugging frantically at the ring. It won’t budge.

I yank harder, twist, pull… but nothing.

I throw the ring box into the trash and hide my hand behind me.

The door opens.