Chapter 1 Sedated by her mate

Erica hurriedly searched for the room number on her phone as she arrived at the extravagant hotel. She had long black hair and was dressed in a white dress. Unlike her usual preference for a natural facial, she wore soft makeup to match up today.

Her gentle and pretty face was adorned with a faint smile of joy, her heart beating faster than usual, and her cheeks flushed with enthusiasm.

On this day, Erica and her husband Caleb's first wedding anniversary, this is a very important day for Erica; finally, she would truly become Caleb's wife!

Although Erica and Caleb had been lovers for a year, they hadn't had any private contact yet. Caleb's affection towards her had always been lukewarm, and that alone made her feel uncomfortable.

Until yesterday, Caleb suddenly called her and invited her for a date. Erica trusted that everything wouldn't be the same from this day onwards!

Erica stood in front of room 208, took a deep breath, arranged her mildly cluttered hair, and giggled as she raised her right hand upward to press the doorbell.

"Ding!" The door opened, divulging a recognizable and charming face. At that moment there was a momentary expression of impatience and disdain in his eyes; Erica didn't seem to observe it as she expressed apology.

"Why are you coming now?" Caleb asked,

"I'm sorry, there was heavy traffic on the way!" Erica quickly expresses regrets shyly, her face red from blush.

To be sincere, Erica has been so excited after receiving Caleb's call yesterday that she hardly slept all night. She woke up early, got herself ready, put on her attractive makeup, styled her soft hair, chose the beautiful dress she wore, matched it with the right jewelry, and when she finished dressing up, she unintentionally ended up being late.

Erica carefully raised her gaze, and guess what! She didn't see the usual chilly expression on his handsome face. She comforted her heart, and a hint of loveliness as well.

"It's alright, come in. I've been expecting you for a while now." Caleb quickly took the instance to reach out and took Erica's small leather handbag; Erica perceived the radiance in her heart.

She scanned the room, and her eyes were filled with amazement, for the room had been prepared for a candlelight dinner in the dim light. Caleb approached a musical player, clicked on a button, and romantic music played, settling the atmosphere.

Caleb helped her to a leather-made chair, revealing two glasses of wine poured on the table before. In the midst of the glimmering candlelight, he picked up one of the glass cups.

"Erica, let's have a toast to our first wedding anniversary. You've been so strong since your dad died in the past year, and I'll do my utmost to reward you and make you the happiest woman on earth."

Erica's face twisted scarlet, her long lashes lowered, hiding her shy gaze and anticipatory eyes. His affections made her heart race like thunder, and she couldn't help but remain excited.

And with a mild smile on her lips, Erica drank the wine. The slight anxiety from before disappeared, leaving only her beautiful face, though with a brief hint of shyness and anticipation.

"This is a new Caleb; I want this to continue," she whispered inwardly.

Presently, Caleb's attitudes seemed comforting and gentle, making Erica feel like she was daydreaming, like she was in paradise. She demurely looked at that man sitting at the other side of the table from her, feeling a heartfelt gratitude and excitement.

Caleb's eyes were glued with satisfaction; he seemed satisfied knowing full well that his plan had succeeded, and even his smile looked genuine. He knew Erica was carried away by the moment, and it was time to exit the scene.

"Erica, pardon my manners, but I need to use the restroom," Caleb pleaded and got up.

Saying that, Caleb swiftly opened the door to leave the room, while Erica, confused, asked, "Isn't there a bathroom in this room?"

"Oh! You are right, I've checked, and I think it's broken. I'll go to the public restroom."

Erica sent a believing smile. She didn't think too much about it and sat in the chair, patiently waiting for Caleb's return, but what she didn't know was that Caleb had already exited the luxurious hotel and driven. As he was going, he glanced; he maintained a calculative gaze and coldness in his eyes with no remorse!

After a few minutes, Erica became uneasy and couldn't help but want to go find Caleb.

Immediately she got up; an unexpected dizziness made her sit back in the chair.

"Ahh! What's happening?"

Erica massaged her temples; although she had an average endurance for alcohol, she couldn't have been intoxicated by just one glass she drank!

Unexpectedly a surge of uncontrollable heat and sweat surged from her body, making her mouth dry. Flinging her head to clear it, Erica tried to sober up a bit. She needed to find some water to drink.

"Hey! Beautiful, where do you think you are going?" A middle-aged man walked in through the door, with a potbelly, blocking Erica's path. His eyes scanned Erica up and down, and he grinned with extreme satisfaction.

"Please, who are you?" She asked with the remaining trace of sanity, which had her clear-headed; her instinct warned her of great danger lurking in the room.

"Leave who I am for now; I'm here to make you happy!" The man's irritating grin was filled with vulgarity.

Erica instinctively took two steps backwards, watching him warily.

The in-depth heat made Erica feel like tearing off all her clothes, yet she controlled herself and remained cautious of the man in front of her. She was in great discomfort.

"Where is Caleb?" Come back quick! Unperceived by Erica, her face was now flushed with desire, with a hint of emotional vulnerability in her eyes, making her look pitiful yet charming; moisture formed a thin layer on her fair skin, making her seductively enticing.

The man's eyes sparkled with hunger, and he couldn't contain his inner desire as he lunged towards Erica.

Fearful and confused, Erica's head was spinning like a clock, her legs weak, rendering her body unable to move. She was both afraid and anxious, on the verge of tears.

The strange man drew closer, his fat hands already grabbing Erica's collar.

"Get over here, princess!"

Her strap broke, leaving Erica's fair shoulder exposed, radiating a seductive warmth under the light, causing the man's eyes to widen in covetousness.

As he continued to linger on her body, Erica, with a mix of shock and anger, summoned her courage from somewhere and grabbed the bedside lamp, smashing it towards the man.

"Ah... You filth!"

The man was hit on the forehead, causing it to split open, allowing blood to stream down, making his face appear even more ferocious.

"Caleb!!!" She screamed top of her voice, "Somebody help me! Help!!" She continued to scream, taking advantage of the man's momentary daze to stumble out of the room, with the man closely following behind her.

Erica ran desperately with the remaining strength left in her, darting in all directions.

"Crashed!"

She bumped into someone's arms, a tall individual, estimated to be about six feet four inches, with clear features carved into a handsome face. His deep-set eyes were chilly and indifferent, his thin lips pressed tightly together, emitting an aura of nobility.

"Help!" Erica never stopped screaming with her weakling low voice.

But the man's furrowed brow showed clear anger towards the middle-aged man chasing after Erica.