What do you mean?" Hailey asked in shock and Hardin glared at her.
"You think this is food? Or are you genuinely trying to kill me?" Hardin said in anger and Hailey blinked, she had no idea what this man was saying, she was a million percent sure she tested the food and it was good if not delicious.
"But there's nothing wrong with it," Hailey defended and Hardin scoffed.
"Of course you'll see nothing wrong with it after all you cooked this poison you called food" Hardin said, venom laced in his voice and Hailey fell quiet, there was nothing she would say that would change his mind, she wondered why he was being grumpy.
"I would have to hire a chef to teach you how to cook, you're now the wife of a billionaire, your poor girl lifestyle has to end" Hardin said before going up the stairs and Hailey took in deep breaths.
She stood and went to Hardin's food to taste it, maybe she added something to it by mistake when serving his portion.
After tasting it, there was nothing wrong with it, it tasted just like hers then why was he complaining?
Hailey sighed before packing up the food and clearing the table, she was so hungry before but she lost her appetite already.
Today is their wedding night and Hailey was glad he didn't say anything about consummating their marriage because she definitely won't survive that.
__
Hardin woke up and got ready for work, when he came down he saw Hailey talking happily with the maid, she was smiling so much and he frown, the mere look of the smile on her face filled him with anger, the maids seem to noticed him and the greeted while Hailey just stared at him.
"Both of you are fired, leave immediately" Hardin said with a dark gaze and Hailey's eyes widened so did the maids, they were shocked but they knew better than to argue with their boss so they live. "Why did you fire them?" Hailey demanded an answer, she wasn't happy with Hardin's behavior, she just managed to get Nora and Joyce to talk to her and she believed they were getting towards the friendship part but Hardin had to fire them.
"How I treat my staff shouldn't bother you, the chef would arrive here this morning for your lessons and since there are no maids around to clean the house that would be your duty from today" Hardin said nonchalantly and Hailey felt her heart drop to her stomach.
So that's why he fired the maids, so she would do their jobs but how can a single person clean the entire mansion?
"You should be done before the chef comes," Hardin said before walking out. She was too shocked to say anything, she wanted to ask what about her job at the restaurant but that would be stupid cause she knew he won't let her work there anymore.
"I don't even know my way around this gigantic mansion, how am I supposed to clean everywhere?" Hailey muttered before running her hand through her hair roughly. Hardin walked into his personal elevator but before the elevator doors could close, Fedrick entered hurriedly.
"good morning sir" Fedrick said but Hardin ignored him.
The elevator opened again and they walked out, hard headed straight to his office with Fedrick trailing behind him.
"Did you contact the chef?" Hardin asked.
"Yes I did, he should be in the mansion by now" Fedrick replied.
"You gave him the instructions right?" Hardin said again and Fedrick nodded.
"Your mom called," Fedrick said and Hardin sighed.
"Family dinner?" Hardin asked.
"Yes, you also have a press conference today on the launch of the new design" Fedrick informed. "And Cole?" Hardin asked.
"Still nothing," Fedrick said and Hardin nodded.
"Prepare for the press conference" Hardin said and Fedrick nodded before leaving.
Harding wished he was at home right now, he wanted to see the look on Hailey's face as she is being overworked, the way she smiled with the maids was annoying, she seemed peaceful and that's not what he wanted.
Hailey flipped the flour mixture for the hundred times and took the knife to cut it but the chef shakes his head in disapproval.
"That's wrong ma'am" he said and Hailey gritted her teeth, they have been on one cooking lesson for the past 2 hours and there is no progress.
What was annoying her the most was the fact that he was calming her ma'am while torturing her.
She barely finished cleaning the house when he arrived and she hasn't rested since then.
"Can't we just take a break?" Hailey asked, tiredness and frustration laced in her tone.
"We are supposed to take a break after each lesson but you haven't made a dish successfully yet" the chef replied and Hailey fought the urge to scream.
She knew it wasn't the man's fault, this was obviously Hardin's orders but she can't help her frustration.
"When will this be over?" Hailey asked and the chef shrugged.
He had no idea when he was supposed to leave, his instructions were to make things difficult for Hailey and that was it.
"Let's continue, I believe you're about to get it right" the chef said and Hailey put the inner walls of her mouth in an attempt to calm down before continuing.
*
Hailey sat on the floor inside the kitchen as she stared at the mess everywhere.
"The chef left 30 minutes ago and Hailey has been on the floor since then, she felt exhausted.
She honestly never thought things could be this difficult, even her everyday working non stop was much better than this, at least she wasn't frustrated all the time.
And the thought of Hardin being behind everything was even more frustrating, he married her to make her suffer?
Hailey was still lost in thoughts when Hardin entered, he walked towards the kitchen to find Hailey on the ground, he fought the urge to smirk at her condition. She looked terrible and dirty.
"You didn't clean the kitchen" Hardin said and Hailey glared at him.
She stops quickly, still holding gaze with an expressionless Hardin.
"I have no idea what you have against me but this is too much!" Hailey yelled.
"If you don't clean the kitchen, you won't sleep today" Hardin said darkly and went upstairs while Hailey stared at his retreating view.
"He is insane," Hailey said in anger.