Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Oh my goodness, aren't you just the cutest little thing?" Isabella gushed as she scooped up the tiny Corgi puppy. Its fluffy tail wagged furiously, and its big, innocent eyes looked up at her, melting her heart instantly.
"Rudy!" a woman called out, her voice tinged with exasperation. "Rudy, come on! It's too hot for me to be chasing after you."
At that moment, Isabella gently set the dog down and commanded him to stay with a pointed look. She then joined Klaus, who had silently approached, causing the woman to startle in surprise.
Then, with a sly grin, he remarked, "I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." His tone carried a hint of innocence as he casually draped his arm around Isabella's waist, causing her to tense up slightly as his fingers lightly grazed over her stomach.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
"Yeah, our, uh," Klaus answered smoothly, "our car ran out of gas a couple of miles back."
"It's like we've been walking forever," Isabella chimed in, her voice casual yet convincing.
"Yours is the first house we came to," Klaus took over smoothly, "I was hoping we could use your phone."
"Don't you have a cell phone?" the woman asked skeptically.
"Heh, yeah," Klaus chuckled as he pulled his phone from his pocket and tugged Isabella close with a smile, "my battery died, and my girlfriend lost hers last week." There was a brief pause as the woman considered the situation. "Look, I promise we're not serial killers; we just want to use your phone."
"Sure," the woman sighed reluctantly.
"So... can I come in?" Klaus asked with a smile, his charm evident.
"No, I'll get the phone and bring it out to you," the woman insisted.
Isabella's face fell at that, her disappointment evident as she shot Klaus a disappointed glance.
Klaus dropped his fake accent. "I thought you country folk were supposed to be more trusting."
"I'm from Florida," the woman replied dryly, not amused by Klaus's attempt at deception.
"Well, that explains it," Klaus remarked casually as he released Isabella, advancing swiftly and gripping the woman's chin firmly. He lifted her slightly off the ground and compelled her, "Now, show me a little Southern hospitality."
The woman reluctantly invited Klaus and Isabella inside. She sobbed softly, overwhelmed by the compulsion, while Isabella rolled her eyes at the scene.
Isabella sighed, stepping forward as Klaus reluctantly released the woman. She took Klaus's place, her expression firm yet reassuring as she compelled the woman to calm down and cooperate.
"Listen to me," Isabella said firmly, her tone commanding yet gentle. "Tell us what we need to know, and no harm will come to you. Otherwise," she continued, pointing subtly at Klaus, "I can't guarantee what this idiot here might do."
