Faye! Mark! I'm so glad to see both of you, you guys totally forgot about me" Erica said, her angry face draining away immediately she saw the couple.
"Good morning aunt" Faye said as she walked towards Erica, who engulf her in a hug.
"We didn't forget about you, we just got back" Mark said as he also hugged Erica.
"I'm guessing you're here cause you saw the news" Cedric said turning towards Hardin who sighed.
"Exactly" Mark confirmed and Erica's angry face came back.
She glared at Hardin as she walked towards him.
"Didn't we talk about this? You got married and you didn't even see the need to tell your mother?" Erica yelled.
"We already got married about a month ago mom" Hardin said and Erica gasped.
"Before you both came for dinner?" Erica asked.
"Yes, before then" Hardin said and Erica almost fainted. "Talk to you friend, he is being unreasonable" Erica said to Mark and she flashed Hailey a mixed expression, one of hate and pity.
Erica was genuinely confused, this seems way deeper than she thought, she got Hardin's parents wouldn't want him to marry a low life but even at that this is not okay.
"Let's not talk about this anymore, they are already married and there's nothing we can do," Mark said, trying to lighten up the situation.
"Right, aunt, I know this good jewelry store, I was going to take you there when we came back," Faye said, holding Erica's hand.
"I don't know what you think you're doing but try not to get hurt again" Erica said before leaving.
Cedric didn't say a thing, he just looked at Hardin and then at Hailey before walking away.
"You owe me" Mark whispered to Hardin before leaving too.
"Go to your room, I don't want you talking to Faye or Cole" Hardin turned to Hailey and she bit her lips.
"I really hate you" Hailey said before going upstairs and Hardin sighed running his hands through his hair.
"I need to deal with Cole," he muttered.
A week later
Rasino cars were celebrating the launch of their new car and everyone important was invited.
Hardin was there too, Cole just finished making his big announcement and his speech.
"Mr. Anthony," Cole said, walking towards Hardin.
"I have no idea you were going to come, wanted to make sure my car doesn't sell as much as yours?" Cole asked and Hardin smirked.
"I don't really need to be here to make sure, cause I know it won't, you always do things to surpass me but have you actually done that?" Hardin asked as drank from his wine glass.
"I'm here because of the Media, after our fight in that restaurant, my assistant thought it would be good to show them I want to resolve things" Hardin said and Cole gritted his teeth.
"I know you're forcing Hailey to be with you, if she truly liked you she wouldn't sneak out to see me" Cole said with a glare
"What happens between me and my wife, I don't want your interference, you always want things that are mine but have you ever gotten it" Hardin said with a small smile but Cole only glared.
"See around," Hardin said, raising his wine glass to Cole before walking away, Cole squeezed his palm into a fit tightly.
"I have done it before and I will do it again" Cole gritted before turning and leaving too.
______
Hailey has been locked up in Hardin's mansion, she hasn't been allowed to go out throughout the week, she can't even use the excuse of going to buy something cause the guard at the door will get it for her.
"Damn you Hardin" Hailey yelled.
"You've done that countless times, I am already used to it" she heard Hardin's voice and turned towards him.
"You're back?" Hailey smiled and Hardin frowned.
"I made food for you in case you haven't eaten yet" Hailey said and Hardin frowned harder.
"Go take a bath and come eat" Hailey added before standing up from the living room couch and going to the kitchen.
Hardin watched her go and his frown deepening,
"Is there something wrong with her?" Hardin muttered before going to his room, he didn't come back down to eat because he honestly thought she had planned to poison him.
But she hasn't been allowed to go outside the house, how would she get the poison?
He still won't take his chances with her, he wasn't buying her nice attitude, she's planning something.
After a while, a soft knock came on Hardin's door, he was sitting on his bed with his laptop in his lap.
"Are you in Hardin?" Hailey's voice came and Hardin decided to ignore her.
She kept knocking cause she caught on that he was just ignoring her.
Hardin got fed up and went to open the door, she was holding a tray of food in her hand and she smiled at him.
"You didn't come down to eat and I supposed maybe because you were tired so I brought you food" Hailey said and Hardin blinked.
That smile on her face irritates him, it clearly reminds him of their resemblance and he steps back slamming the door shut.
Hailey flinched and the food fell from her hand staining her clothes.
"What is wrong with him?" Hailey said as she bent to pick up the broken plates.
"I was just trying to be nice" she said again holding the tears that threatened to fall but she bit her lips hard before taking the tray and leaving.
______
"Is there any way I can get Hailey's number?" Faye asked her husband as he prepared for work.
"I don't know, you'll have to ask Hardin or Hailey herself" Mark said.
"Hardin won't even give me a glance so I will just ask Hailey for it" Faye said.
"Do you think she's okay?" Faye asked.
"Honestly, I don't know," Mark said.
"Hardin is unbelievable, after years of therapy he decided to do this?" Faye scoffed and Mark sighed.
"I'm going to meet Hailey today, I will bring her one of the latest designs, she would've it," Faye said, getting up and going into the closet. "I already feel sorry for Hailey," Mark muttered before leaving.