THE BLIND BILLIONAIRE LITTLE STRAY

The bell above the glass entrance door gave a sharp jingle.

  Ayla tightened her grip on the tray. Three cups of steaming cofee wobbled dangerously, and her empty stomach twisted. She hadn't eaten.

  Someone brushed past her from behind, too fast and close hitting her elbow.

  The tray jerked. The cups tipped.

  Hot coffee splashed across the man who had just stepped inside.

  “Oh my god—I’m so sorry,” Ayla gasped, dropping into a half-bow without thinking.

  The man didn’t move.

  He stood tall, dressed head-to-toe in black.

  Dark sunglasses hid his eyes.

  A polished cane rested in his hand.

  Xavier Cole.

  Owner and founder of ColeTech Innovations—a global tech empire known for smart lenses, communication glasses, AI hardware, and devices way too advanced for the average person to afford.

  He also owned Cole Security, Cole Labs, and half the buildings on the same street.

  Rumor had it he built all of it from nothing, no inheritance, no family money—just a mind sharp enough to scare competitors.

  And then, just when he reached the top, he lost his sight.

  No one knew how. No one dared to ask.

  He sucked in a tight breath, like the sudden heat had shocked him but he refused to show it.

  “Are you out of your mind?!” his assistant barked. “Do you have any idea who—”

  Xavier lifted a hand.

  Silence fell instantly.

  He angled his head slightly, as if following the sound of Ayla’s shaky breath rather than looking at her.

  When he finally spoke, his voice came out smooth and icy.

  “Who thought it was a good idea to hire someone who can’t even carry a tray?”

  Ayla’s throat closed up.

  “Sir, please… it was an accident—”

  He cut her off without a blink.

  “Accidents don’t happen this easily,” Xavier said, tilting his head toward her trembling voice. “Not if people know what they’re doing.”

  Her knees gave out, and she dropped to the floor before she could stop herself.

  The café went silent.

  Eyes locked on her.

  Someone whispered, “That’s Xavier Cole…”

  “Incompetence like this…” he murmured, tone smooth but frigid, “…is exactly why standards keep falling.”

  The manager burst out from behind the counter, face pale with dread.

  “Sir—please—this was an accident. She’s new, still learning—”

  “I want her fired,” xavier said, each word delivered like a verdict.

  “Now.”

  Ayla’s breath punched out of her.

  Her hand moved before her mind caught up—she clutched the leg of his trousers, desperate, humiliated.

  “Please… no. Please. I need this job,” she whispered, voice breaking in front of everyone.

  The assistant scoffed loudly.

  The manager looked ready to collapse.

  Xavier turned his face toward the manager, even though his eyes couldn’t see him.

  Somehow, he still managed to stare right through him.

  “If she’s still standing here in the next minute,” he said quietly, “I’ll make sure this place gets shuts down before the week ends. Permanently.”

  A murmur rippled through the room.

  Someone gasped.

  Ayla shook her head, tears threatening.

  “Sir… my mother is sick. Please—it was a mistake. I’ll pay for your laundry—”

  Pay?

  She had nothing.

  But she was grasping at anything, anything at all.

  He gave a small, cold scoff.

  “You?” His lip curled faintly. “There’s no need. I don’t repeat the same outfit twice.”

  The words stung worse than the humiliation.

  He turned, then he walked out, cane tapping once as he moved, every step crisp, confident, unhurried—

  His assistant trailing behind him, throwing Ayla a look of disgust as they exited the luxury café.

  ******************************

  Outside, Ayla stepped onto the sidewalk like someone moving underwater.

  The small bag on her shoulder felt heavier than her whole body.

  She had gotten this job yesterday. Just yesterday. She had smiled the whole bus ride home, thinking things were finally looking up. She had fought so hard to get hired, and it had slipped away in seconds.

  Her throat burned.

  “What am I supposed to do now…” she whispered, wiping at her eyes and forcing herself to keep walking.

  Her phone suddenly rang.

  Ayla fumbled for it, wiping her palms on her skirt before she checked the caller ID.

  Ruth.

  Her chest tightened instantly. Ruth never called during her shift unless—

  Ayla swallowed hard and answered. “Ruth?”

  “Ayla, get here. Now!” Ruth’s voice cracked with panic. “Just come—hurry!”

  The line went dead.

  Ayla froze for half a second, the world tilting beneath her feet. Then she spun around and stumbled toward the road, her breath shaking.

  “Taxi! Please—!” she yelled, waving her hand desperately.

  A white cab screeched to a stop. She yanked the door open and fell inside.

  “Hospital—St. Mercy—please go!” she gasped.

  The driver stared at her through the mirror, startled by her trembling voice. Then he stepped on the accelerator.

  The city blurred as they sped forward. Ayla’s heart hammered so loudly it drowned out everything else.

  “Please let her be okay,” she whispered into her hands. “Please… not today…”

  *****************************

  The taxi skidded to a stop in front of St. Mercy Hospital.

  Ayla shoved the door open, tossed her last card at the driver, and bolted out before he could say a word. Her breath came in short, painful bursts as she ran through the sliding doors and down the familiar hallway.

  Her mother’s room was at the far end.

  She already knew something was wrong before she reached it.

  Doctors were inside—three of them—crowded around the bed. One was calling out numbers. Another was pushing hard on her mother’s chest. The machine beside the bed was beeping fast. 

  “No… no, no—” Ayla pressed her forehead against the glass, tears blurring everything. Her palms slapped the window as if she could break through. 

  Someone grabbed her hand.

  “Ayla,” a voice whispered.

  She turned. Ruth’s eyes were wide and frightened.

  “Come here,” Ruth said quietly, pulling her away from the glass.

  They stepped into a small corner beside the vending machine, away from the noise. Ayla couldn’t stop crying; she could barely breathe.

  Ruth took a deep breath. “Ayla… your mom is in critical condition. We’ve been warning you for weeks. When will you bring the money? You know delays will—”

  “Ruth,” Ayla cut in, her voice cracking, “you know what I’m going through. I would’ve brought it if I had anything left. I just—”

  “But didn’t you say you finally got a job yesterday?” Ruth shot back.

  Ayla shut her eyes. “I did. I got fired today.”

  Ruth’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious? Ayla—” she almost yelled, lowering her voice when a nurse passed by, “you don’t act like someone who’s fighting for her mother’s life.”

  That one slammed straight into Ayla’s chest.

  She wiped her face, trembling. “I am trying,” she whispered. “I’m trying so hard.”

  Ruth let out a long, tired sigh. “Anyway… the doctor said they’re going to reduce her medication. You know what that means.”

  Ayla’s heart sank. She grabbed Ruth’s hand fast, her voice cracking. “Please don’t let them do that. Ruth, please… I’ll find the money. I swear I will.”

  Ruth gently pulled her hand free, looking almost annoyed. “Ayla… can I just be honest for once? Really honest?”

  Ayla wiped her face, sniffing. “What… what do you mean?”

  “You should just let the poor woman go,” Ruth said flatly. “Where do you expect to get that kind of money? The hospital wants a huge amount before they even look for a donor. You can’t afford it. You know you can’t.”

  Ayla’s whole chest tightened. The hallway blurred, tears rushing up again. “Don’t say that. Please, don’t say that. She’s all I have.”

  Ruth crossed her arms. “This isn’t the time for crocodile tears. Think, Ayla. What if you run around trying to get money and she still dies? What then? You’ll be in debt and alone.”

  Ayla stared at her, stunned. “I… I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. I thought—” Her voice broke. “I thought you were my friend.”

  Ruth looked away. “I am. That’s why I’m telling you the truth.”

  Ayla shook her head, tears falling nonstop. “No… friends don’t tell you to give up on your mother.”