This Is How I Won a Prank War My Neighbor and I Had Going for the past Year
It started off innocently enough. Selene parked her car in the wrong parking spot, fueling a prank war with Paul, the real owner of the parking spot. As the months went by, the pair continued their prank war, but Selen started to wonder about the future of these seemingly innocent practical jokes. She took matters into her own hands and asked Paul out for dinner, under the guise of someone else. Will it be the ultimate prank or something more?
It all began with a parking mishap. It was just one innocent mistake that spiraled into a year-long prank war with my neighbor, Paul.
An apartment building parking lot | Source: Unsplash
One evening, I accidentally parked in Paul’s parking spot in our apartment building’s lot. It was late, I was exhausted, and I just wanted to crawl into bed.
I didn’t think much of it until the next morning when I was on my way to the office. There, on my car, on an empty takeaway cup, a note was scrawled in messy handwriting.
A woman sleeping in bed | Source: Pexels
Thanks for ruining my day.
“Oh, crap,” I said to myself when I sat in the car. I needed to make amends.
A woman sitting in a car | Source: Pexels
The following morning, I left a warm cup of coffee on Paul’s car roof with a note that read:
Sorry for the mix-up. I hope this makes up for it.
A person holding a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
If you’re wondering, Paul and I didn’t know each other. We just lived in the same apartment block and knew everyone’s names and door numbers.
A few days later, I found a bill from a car-washing service under my windshield wiper. It seemed that Paul didn’t notice the coffee that I left and spilled it all over his car when he drove off.
A car in a car wash | Source: Pexels
I refused to pay the bill, and thus, the little war began.
“I think that you and this mysterious Paul are either going to fall in love or end up despising each other,” my friend Daphne said at work.
A smiling woman holding a folder | Source: Pexels
“Probably the latter,” I said. “It was all fine until he gave me a bill.”
“Selene,” she said knowingly, “I’m telling you, this is just the beginning.”
The next day, I left my work phone number on his car.
Call me regarding the payment.
A piece of paper on a car | Source: Midjourney
Paul called me later that evening.
“Really? You thought that leaving coffee on the roof of a car was a good idea?” he asked, going straight into it.
“How was I supposed to know that you’d drive off without looking? Besides, it was a peace offering!”
A man using a phone | Source: Unsplash
“More like a disaster,” he said. “It was all over my window. Pay the car wash bill, please.”
“I’m not paying for it,” I said, hanging up.
After that, the pranks escalated quickly.
Spilled coffee in the air | Source: Pexels
“I told you,” Daphne said when she came home with me one evening. “It’s going to get more intense. You need to listen to me. Trust me on this, you and this guy are going to get under each other’s skin.”
“I don’t know about that, Daph,” I said, dishing out the curry we had bought for dinner.
Bowls of curry and rice | Source: Unsplash
“But you’re having fun?” she asked, tearing into a piece of bread.
“I am!” I said. “Mainly because it’s nothing serious.”
Flatbread on a board | Source: Pexels
One day, I found my car doors wrapped in plastic wrap.
The next week, I retaliated by covering Paul’s car in sticky notes, each one asking him to fix his parking.
A person tearing through plastic wrap | Source: Pexels
“If it rains tonight,” Paul said, immediately calling me after seeing the sticky notes, “you’ll have a mushy mess of paper to clean up.”
“I think you’ll figure it out for yourself,” I said, hiding behind my curtain.
A car covered in sticky notes | Source: Midjourney
I had to admit, I was attracted to him. I didn’t know if Paul knew who I was, but it was easier for me to watch him from my apartment. I had gotten used to watching him wash his car.
It turned out that it was comforting. There was a sense of intimacy that we had built up.
A person hiding behind blinds | Source: Unsplash
After months of back-and-forth pranks, ranging from balloons tied onto car handles and window wipers, to fake parking tickets, I decided that it was time to end the war.
“But you need a grand finale,” Daphne said as we sat in our office, trying to work through month-end reports.
A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels
“Like what?” I asked, typing away at my keyboard.
“You’re into him, right?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
“I think so,” I said. “But I don’t know much about him.”
A woman drinking coffee | Source: Pexels
“Then get to know him,” my friend pressed on. “There’s something there; if not, this would have ended a long time ago.”
“Fine,” I said. “But you write the note. He knows my handwriting now.”
We intended to write a note from a secret admirer.
A person writing a note | Source: Pexels
“She can just be someone from your apartment,” Daphne said. “And it’s not like you and Paul have even interacted in person, Selene. To be honest, I don’t know how you’ve managed to stay anonymous for so long.”
“It’s the thrill of it,” I said.
A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash
Early the next morning, I left the note that Daphne had written on Paul’s car.
Hey, I saw you leaving your car and couldn’t help but notice how handsome you are. Let’s have dinner?
I added my personal number that he wouldn’t recognize at the bottom.
A folded piece of paper | Source: Midjourney
To my surprise, Paul called me later that morning.
“Selene, you’ll never guess what happened!” he said excitedly. “Some woman left me a note on my car.”
“Really?” I asked, feigning surprise. “What did it say?”
A woman on the phone | Source: Pexels
“She said that I was handsome and she wanted to have dinner. She left her number, too. So, I’m going to text her and go.”
Paul took the bait and texted me. We set up a date, and I, still pretending to be someone else, agreed to meet him at a local restaurant.
A table at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I was already seated, suddenly nervous. We had been at this for so long; what if everything blew up in my face?
What if I was living in a romantic comedy and Paul actually couldn’t stand me?
Almost ready to leave, Paul walked into the restaurant.
A man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, you’re here! You look familiar,” he said. “But I suppose I have seen you around the building.”
He spoke quickly, as though he was just as nervous.
“I’m sure that’s exactly it,” I said, smiling.
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“Your voice reminds me of my neighbor, Selene. I’m sure you’ve seen us pranking each other recently,” he chuckled, his eyes glazing over as if lost in a memory.
“What’s that been like?” I asked.
A smiling woman at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Well, Daphne,” he said, as I had introduced myself over text, “it’s been hilarious. It’s been the best few months of my life.”
“It sounds like she’s grown on you,” I said, smiling.
“She’s feisty, all right,” he said, ordering himself a whiskey.
A man holding a glass of whiskey | Source: Pexels
The rest of the evening went by smoothly, but the more Paul spoke, the more I found myself genuinely enjoying his company. He was charming, funny, and surprisingly sweet.
By the time our meals arrived, I couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer.
Plates of food at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Paul,” I said, picking up my cocktail, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What’s that?” he asked, looking me in the eye.
“I haven’t been very honest about this date,” I said slowly. “I’m Selene.”
A cocktail on a table | Source: Pexels
Paul’s jaw dropped.
“Wait, really?” he asked. “Why did you want to meet like this?”
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “Call it insecurity? Daphne is my best friend; I asked her to write the note, and I used her name. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have deceived you.”
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“No, no,” he said, a large smile forming on his face. “I’ve never had this much fun with anyone. I’m glad we got to meet. Finally.”
The rest of the evening went much smoother, knowing that we had something in common. It was something to bond over. And more than that, there was chemistry between us. It wasn’t just me.
“I’m glad we did this,” Paul said as we went our separate ways in the parking lot. “It needed to happen.”
An empty parking lot | Source: Pexels
“And now, we’re here,” I said, taking his hand, suddenly feeling brave.
I don’t know where our relationship will go or what it will become, but I do know that I’ve taken the first step toward something.
What would you have done?
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
I Decided to Surprise My Husband at Work Only to Discover He Was on Vacation
I planned to surprise my husband at work with lunch, but instead found out he was on vacation. Confused and suspicious, I followed him the next day and uncovered a shocking secret at my sister’s house. What I found left me questioning everything I thought I knew about my marriage and my family.
I decided to surprise Ben at work with lunch last Tuesday. I’d spent the morning making his favorite — lasagna. With the kids at school, I had some time to myself, and I thought it’d be a sweet gesture. I mean, what husband wouldn’t love a surprise visit from his wife with homemade food, right?
When I arrived at his office, the receptionist gave me a puzzled look.
“You’re here for Ben?” she asked, glancing at the lasagna in my hands.
“Yeah, just wanted to bring him lunch. Is he in?”
She hesitated. “Ben’s been on vacation for the past two weeks.”
I stood there, stunned, trying to process what she’d said. Vacation? He’d told me he was working late all week. My stomach twisted, and I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. I thanked her and left.
At home, I tried to make sense of it. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. But what kind of misunderstanding lasts two weeks? I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. So, I did what any suspicious wife might do — I decided to follow him the next day.
The next morning, I called Mom and asked her to take the kids for the day. I told her I had some errands to run. She was happy to help, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in my head. I then followed Ben to find out what was really going on.
I watched as he left the house and got into his car, and I followed at a safe distance. He drove across town and pulled up to Kate’s house — my sister’s house.
My mouth went dry as I watched him get out of the car. Kate came out, smiling warmly as she embraced him and led him inside.
My mind went blank. Was Ben having an affair with my sister? I couldn’t believe it, but what else could explain it? The pain of betrayal cut deep, and I felt tears welling up. I had to know for sure.
I parked my car a few houses down from Kate’s place and called Carla, my lawyer. She’d handled a few legal matters for us before, and I trusted her judgment. I told her everything, my voice trembling with anger and hurt.
“Julia,” Carla said, her tone calm and professional, “before you jump to conclusions, gather some concrete evidence. It’s important to be sure before taking any legal steps.”
I knew she was right. So, I went back to Kate’s house, lurking around like some sort of spy. I felt ridiculous, but I had to know the truth. I peered through a window, careful not to be seen.
Inside, I saw Ben and Kate sitting at the kitchen table, huddled over lunch, and a pile of papers. They looked serious, and every now and then, they’d glance around, as if worried about being caught.
What were they plotting? The more I watched, the more convinced I became that something was terribly wrong. It wasn’t just an affair — they were planning something.
I snapped a few photos with my phone, my hands shaking. I needed proof, something concrete to confront Ben with. My mind raced with all sorts of terrible scenarios. What were they up to?
I called James from my car. He picked up on the first ring. James, my brother-in-law, had always been the sensible one in the family. Married to Kate for nearly a decade, he was the calm, rational counterpoint to her more impulsive nature.
He and Ben got along well, often bonding over their shared love of sports and grilling. I trusted James, and if anyone could help me make sense of this, it was him.
“James, it’s Julia. I need to talk to you about Ben and Kate.”
There was a pause. “Julia, calm down. What’s going on?”
“I think they’re having an affair,” I blurted out, my voice shaking.
James sighed. “Julia, you need to come over here. Now.”
I hurried back to Kate’s house, my mind spinning with fear and betrayal. When I arrived, I saw James’ car already parked outside. I crept up to the house and peeked through the window again. James was there, sitting with Ben and Kate at the kitchen table.
I could hear snippets of their conversation through the half-open window.
“Julia called me,” James said, sounding concerned. “She’s worried sick, thinks you two are having an affair.”
Ben nodded. “So, she is unaware of everything.”
“That’s great!” Kate replied, her tone filled with excitement.
“Our plan is working,” Ben added.
My heart shattered. I had heard enough. I barged into the house, my anger boiling over.
“You lying, cheating traitors! How could you do this to me?”
Kate and Ben looked at me, stunned. James stood up, trying to calm me down.
“Julia, please, let us explain.”
“Explain what? That my husband is cheating on me with my sister?” I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
“Julia, it’s not what you think,” Ben said softly, trying to calm me down. “I took a vacation to work on a surprise for you.”
I laughed bitterly. “A surprise? Meeting at Kate’s house every day is a surprise?”
“Yes,” Ben said, his voice steady. “I was planning to make your dream come true. You always talked about owning a coffee shop, right?”
I blinked, not understanding. “What?”
Kate stepped forward, holding a stack of papers. “Ben has been using his inheritance to buy a coffee shop for you. We’ve been working on the business plan and all the legal paperwork here.”
My anger started to wane, replaced by confusion and a glimmer of hope. “A coffee shop? For me?”
Ben nodded, pulling out a folder and handing it to me. “Look, these are the documents. The lease, the renovation plans, everything. I wanted it to be perfect before I told you. James and Kate are co-investors, so I wanted to make sure they are completely onboard.”
I looked at the papers, the words blurring through my tears. It was all there. The proof of his love and dedication, the coffee shop I had always dreamed of. My knees buckled, and Ben caught me before I fell.
“Oh my goodness, Ben… I’m so sorry. I thought… I thought you were…”
“I know,” he said, hugging me tightly. “I should have told you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. I wanted to see your face when I handed you the keys.”
“I’m such an idiot,” I sobbed into his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“Shh, it’s okay. I understand why you felt that way. But Julia, I love you. I would never betray you.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of my mistake. “Thank you, Ben. Thank you for everything.”
The next day, we went to sign the final papers. The coffee shop was ours. I could hardly believe it. As I walked into the quaint little space, the smell of freshly baked goods already filling the air, I felt so joyful.
Ben squeezed my hand. “This is all for you, babe. I believe in you.”
I smiled, tears of happiness streaming down my face. “I love you, love. Thank you for believing in me.”
We worked together, turning the coffee shop into something magical. It became a place where dreams were baked into reality, where love and trust were the secret ingredients in every recipe.
Looking back, I realized how important trust and communication are in a relationship. Misunderstandings can happen, but it’s how we handle them that truly matters.
As I stood in my coffee shop, surrounded by the aroma of freshly baked goods, I felt grateful for Ben’s unwavering love and support. We had faced a storm, and together, we had come out stronger.
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