Page 1 of Fake for 7 days

Chapter 1 ~ Isabella ~

"Damnit!Whatthehell?" I cursed loudly, glaring at the silver Mercedes that was elegantly maneuvering into a parking spot.

MY parking spot.

I had spotted it just seconds ago, put on my turn signal, and claimed the spot for myself. Parking was the weakest of my weak points, but with this large space, I might have had a chance.

Might have had a chance.

Angrily, I honked my horn.

The Mercedes driver wasn't bothered. He had maneuvered the car into the parking spot in no time. Now he got out and grinned at his vehicle with satisfaction.

Furiously, I rolled down my window. Cold New York winter air rushed into my car. "You just stole my parking spot! I was going to park here! Didn't you see me? I had my blinker on!"

The Mercedes driver looked around. When he spotted me behind the wheel of my small car, he grinned, "Well, tough luck, lady. Just be quicker next time, then you won't have to get upset with me." Whistling, the man walked away, not bothering with me any further.

I stared after him, speechless. This was the height of audacity!

Thanks to this idiot, you're going to be late for work, Isabella. And you know exactly what that means...

I'd rather not think about it. Maybe I would still make it to work on time. I quickly put the car in first gear and drove on. Slowly, I scanned the curb for another free spot for my little green Toyota, which was already several years old and accordingly dented. It had already made close acquaintance with concrete flower pots, walls, and signs.

I wasn't a particularly good driver. I only managed to park when at least a small truck could have fit in the parking space. I couldn't afford an expensive subscription to one of New York's parking garages. So I was always on the lookout for a suitable parking spot.

There!

I breathed a sigh of relief.

A gap.

Right in front of me.

"Too small," I said aloud to myself and drove on. I had gotten my hopes up too soon.

Or should I have tried anyway? A better driver than me probably could have parked the Toyota here.

I was starting to get anxious. I NEEDED a parking spot. Otherwise, I really would be late for work. And that would not please my boss at all. At the thought of the impending thunderstorm, my shoulders tensed and small beads of sweat formed at my hairline. Nervously, I drove around the block. Nothing. Not even a hint of a free parking space. Finally, I turned right into a small side street. Maybe I'd have luck here.

After a few yards, I stopped and looked intently to the left and right.

Again, nothing.

Disappointed, I was about to drive on when the lights came on in a large Ford on my right. Tense, I waited to see if the car would move. The parking space looked big. Just right for me. I had no choice anyway. I HAD to park here. My official work start time was... in one minute.

I would be late again. And my boss would tear into me. I bit my lip. Maybe I'd be lucky and could reach my desk without encountering my boss on the way.

The Ford pulled out of the parking space and I quickly put on my turn signal before someone could beat me to it again. First, I tried to park forward. I usually managed that better, as it was at least not quite as complicated as reversing. But when the wheels of my car touched the curb, I grumbled in annoyance.

Crap.

Missed the right angle again.

Or didn't turn the wheel right.

Or did something else wrong...

The list of mistakes one could make while parking seemed endless. I made them all. Again and again.

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