Married to Julian Grey

Chapter 10

I woke with a gasp.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I shot upright in bed, my breathing uneven.

The dream.

Julian Grey.

His face.

For several seconds, I remained frozen, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling while my mind struggled to separate what I had seen from reality.

It had felt too real.

Too vivid.

The memory of those green eyes lingered in my mind, refusing to disappear.

A sharp buzzing sound suddenly cut through my thoughts.

My phone vibrated across the bedside table.

I reached for it with trembling fingers.

Unknown Number.

Frowning, I answered.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Miss Vale."

The deep, professional voice immediately caught my attention.

"This is your chauffeur. I have arrived."

I blinked.

"My... chauffeur?"

"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Grey instructed me to drive you to work every morning."

For a moment, I completely forgot.

The apartment.

The promotion.

The chauffeur.

Yesterday had not been a dream after all.

"I didn't want to disturb you," he continued politely. "So I thought I would let you know I am waiting downstairs."

My eyes moved toward the digital clock beside the bed.

8:00 a.m.

My heart nearly stopped.

"Oh no."

I was late.

Again.

"I'm so sorry," I said quickly, already pushing the blanket aside.

"I'll be down as soon as possible."

"Take your time, ma'am."

"I really can't," I muttered after ending the call.

I rushed toward the bathroom, my mind racing.

So much for making a good impression on my first official day at Headquarters.

And if there was one person I didn't want waiting for me...

It was Julian Grey.

I moved through my morning routine faster than I ever had before.

A quick shower.

Brushed my teeth.

Minimal makeup.

There was no time for anything more.

I pulled on the outfit I had chosen the night before—a pair of tailored black suit pants and a fitted blue blouse.

Professional.

Elegant.

Confident.

Exactly how I wanted to appear on my first official day at Headquarters.

I ran a brush through my long, dark waves, allowing them to fall naturally around my shoulders.

I paused briefly in front of the mirror.

The reflection staring back at me was still the same Elena Vale.

The same grey eyes.

The same dark hair.

The same features I had always known.

But this morning felt different.

Not because anything about me had changed.

Because the clothes I wore represented something new.

A position I was still trying to understand.

A responsibility I was still learning to accept.

I looked composed.

At least, I hoped I did.

Because underneath it all, I was still the same person trying to catch up with how quickly my life had changed.

I grabbed my handbag and hurried toward the door.

I checked the time as I stepped into the elevator.

8:20 a.m.

I sighed.

Late again.

The chauffeur opened the car door as soon as I stepped outside.

"Good morning, Miss Vale."

I still wasn't used to hearing that.

"Good morning."

I entered the back seat and watched the city pass through the tinted windows.

The entire journey, one thought remained in my mind.

My first official day at Headquarters.

And I was already starting it by rushing.

Some things apparently never changed.

By the time we arrived at Aurelius Group Tower, it was 8:40 a.m.

I stepped out of the car and looked up at the enormous building.

Yesterday, I had walked through those doors as someone trying to prove she belonged.

Today, I was walking through them carrying a position I still wasn't sure I deserved.

I entered the building and approached security.

The moment the guards saw me, they immediately straightened.

"Good morning, Miss Vale."

I returned their greeting with a polite smile.

"Good morning."

I tapped my key card against the scanner.

A soft beep sounded.

The gate opened.

I looked at the access panel for a moment.

Yesterday, I had followed instructions and waited for directions.

Today, I had access to areas most employees would never enter.

The difference was strange.

And I wasn't sure I was ready for it.

I continued toward reception, still trying to adjust to the strange feeling that followed me through the building.

Yesterday, I had walked through this same entrance without anyone paying particular attention.

Today, several people looked up as I approached.

Before I could reach the reception desk, one of the clerks stood up with a cup in her hand.

"Miss Vale."

I stopped and looked at her.

"Yes?"

The young woman smiled politely.

"I wasn't sure what kind of coffee you preferred, so I didn't want to assume."

She held out the cup.

"But I got you an espresso. I hope you like it."

For a moment, I simply stared at the coffee.

Not because of the drink.

Because of the thought behind it.

Yesterday, I had been the administrative staff member taking care of requests.

Arranging schedules.

Preparing documents.

Bringing coffee for others.

Today, someone had prepared coffee for me before I had even arrived.

It was such a small thing.

But somehow, it made the change feel real.

"Thank you," I said softly.

The clerk smiled.

"You're welcome, Miss Vale."

I accepted the coffee and continued walking.

As I moved through the reception area, greetings followed me.

"Good morning, Miss Vale."

"Good morning."

"Welcome, Miss Vale."

I smiled and returned each greeting politely.

But inside, I still felt the same.

The same Elena who had walked into Aurelius Group not long ago, unsure of where she belonged.

The only difference was that now, people were looking at me differently.

Not because I had suddenly changed.

Because my position had.

I was no longer just another employee passing through the building.

I was someone connected to Headquarters.

Someone whose name appeared on access lists and schedules.

Someone whose role carried a level of importance I was still learning to accept.

I reached the executive elevator and placed my key card against the panel.

The doors opened immediately.

I stepped inside alone.

As the elevator moved upward, I took a small sip of the espresso.

It was perfect.

A few moments later, the doors opened onto the executive floor.

Adrian was already waiting nearby, a tablet in his hand.

"Good morning, Miss Vale."

"Good morning, Adrian."

I hesitated before speaking.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

Adrian looked slightly surprised.

"Late?"

"Yes. I overslept and—"

A small smile appeared on his face.

"You don't need to apologize."

I frowned.

"I don't?"

"No."

He glanced down at the tablet.

"Mr. Grey changed your official working hours."

My eyebrows lifted.

"He did?"

"Yes."

Adrian looked up.

"Your new schedule begins at 9:00 a.m."

I stared at him.

"9:00 a.m.?"

"Yes."

A breath of relief escaped me.

"So I wasn't late?"

"No, Miss Vale."

For the first time that morning, my shoulders relaxed.

"But why did he change it?"

Adrian's expression remained professional.

"Mr. Grey believed your previous schedule was no longer suitable for your current position."

Current position.

The words still felt unfamiliar.

I looked down at the key card in my hand.

The access.

The responsibility.

The expectations.

Everything had changed so quickly.

"Thank you for telling me," I said.

"You're welcome, Miss Vale."

Adrian stepped aside.

"Mr. Grey is already in his office."

My heart reacted slightly at the mention of his name.

Julian Grey.

The memory of the dream returned.

The golden room.

The man whose face had remained hidden until the very end.

And then, impossibly, that face had been his.

I frowned slightly.

It was probably nothing.

Dreams were strange. They mixed emotions, memories, and things we experienced without making sense of them.

Perhaps my mind had simply connected the mystery of the dream with the most unforgettable person I had encountered recently.

That was the only explanation.

Because the alternative was impossible.

Taking a quiet breath, I pushed the thought aside and walked toward Julian Grey's office.