What was supposed to be a dream honeymoon in Bora Bora quickly turned into a battle when my in-laws decided they deserved our luxury villa more than we did. But when my husband finally let me handle them, I made sure they got exactly what they deserved.
When we told my parents about the trip, they were overjoyed. They had always been simple, down-to-earth people, never asking for anything extravagant. Vacations for us had always been about road trips, budget motels, and picnic lunches on scenic routes. So when Mark and I invited them to a luxurious island getaway, they were stunned.
My mom’s eyes welled up with tears. “This is too much! Are you sure?”
My dad kept shaking his head, grinning. “A trip like this? This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. Thank you.”
They kept thanking us, calling it the most incredible gift they’d ever received. Seeing their happiness made all the planning and expenses feel worth it.
Mark’s parents, on the other hand? Well, they were a different story.
Even before we booked the trip, I had gotten a taste of just how much control Mark’s parents had over him. We originally planned to go in late May. But when Mark mentioned the date to his mother, she immediately dismissed it.
“No, Mark, that won’t work for us,” Linda said firmly. “Your father has his golf tournament, and I have my garden club’s spring luncheon. You’ll have to move it.”
I expected Mark to push back, to remind her that this was our honeymoon. But instead, he sighed, gave me an apologetic look, and said, “We can reschedule, right?”
I stared at him. “Mark, we already put down deposits.”
“I’ll cover the change fees,” he promised. “It’s just easier this way.”
Easier for whom? Certainly not for my parents, who had to rearrange their schedules. But for Linda and Richard? Oh, it was perfect. They always got what they wanted.
That night, I confronted him. “Mark, you can’t keep letting them run our lives.”
He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Just this once. After this trip, no more. We’ll set boundaries.”
I squeezed his hand, forcing a smile. “Next time, let me handle things.”
We had booked them a gorgeous overwater bungalow—the best one available. It had a glass floor, an open-air bathroom, and a private deck. But when they arrived, their faces showed only disappointment.
“This is it?” Linda murmured, glancing around.
Mark and I, on the other hand, had secured the only available villa—a 4,000-square-foot paradise with a private pool, a sauna, an outdoor tub, and an ocean slide straight into the crystal-clear water. It was breathtaking.
I had a feeling trouble was coming.
That evening at dinner, we were enjoying the warm air, the scent of coconut and grilled seafood, and the sunset painting the sky in pink and gold. My cousin Jason leaned over, grinning.
“That ocean slide of yours is insane! I saw the pics—can I try it tomorrow?”
I laughed. “Of course! It’s so much fun.”
Across the table, I heard a sharp gasp.
“Wait… WHAT?!” Linda’s hand smacked the table. “You have an ocean slide?”
Richard’s frown deepened. “Your place has a slide?”
My stomach twisted. Here we go.
Linda snatched Mark’s phone and scrolled through our photos. Her face turned red. “Mark, THIS is your place?!”
“Uh… yeah?” Mark hesitated.
Richard pushed back his chair. “And we’re stuck in a bungalow?!”
I blinked. Stuck? The bungalows were incredible. People dreamed of staying in one.
“Mom, Dad,” Mark started, “your place is amazing. It’s the best bungalow they offer.”
“But it’s NOT a villa!” Linda snapped. She turned to me, voice sharp. “Why do YOU get the best place?”
I took a slow breath. “There was only one villa available. It wouldn’t have been fair to give it to just one set of parents.”
Linda huffed. “We’re the elders! We shouldn’t live like peasants while our children enjoy luxury!”
I almost choked on my drink. Peasants? In Bora Bora?
Richard crossed his arms. “Mark OWES us. We raised him. He wouldn’t even be here without us.”
Linda nodded, smug. “You can’t even sacrifice a little for family?”
Mark sat frozen, eyes darting between me and his parents. Linda’s nostrils flared. Richard’s jaw clenched.
“Mark,” Linda barked. “Say something!”
Mark opened his mouth, then shut it. His hands curled into fists on the table. And then, he exhaled and gave me the smallest nod.
Permission granted.
I turned to Linda and Richard, keeping my voice steady. “I understand. You deserve special treatment. I’ll make sure you get exactly that.”
Linda smirked. “Well, it’s about time.”
Richard scoffed. “Should’ve done that in the first place.”
They marched off, satisfied.
Mark turned to me. “Are you sure about this?”
I smiled. “Oh, I’m very sure.”
That night, I made a quick call to the resort’s concierge. “I’d like to arrange a first-class upgrade.”
The woman paused. “You want to move them to your villa?”
I laughed. “No. I want to move them home. First-class. Only the best.”
“Consider it done.”
The next morning, I stepped onto our balcony just in time to see Linda and Richard at the front desk, looking smug.
The concierge handed them an envelope. “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, your special arrangements have been finalized. Here are your first-class tickets.”
Linda blinked. “Tickets?”
Richard snatched the envelope, his face turning red. “This is a joke!”
Linda gasped. “YOU’RE SENDING US HOME?!”
I stepped forward, smiling. “You said you deserved the best. Home is the best place we could find for you.”
Richard’s fists clenched. “HOW DARE YOU?!”
“Very easily.”
Linda turned to Mark. “You’re going to let her do this?!”
Mark sighed. “Honestly? Yeah.”
Linda gasped as if he had slapped her. “We’re your parents!”
“And we’re on our honeymoon,” he said. “You don’t even like Bora Bora. You complained the entire flight.”
Linda spluttered. “Well… we… we didn’t think we’d be treated like this.”
I shrugged. “Safe travels.”
The resort staff loaded their bags onto a boat. Linda was still screeching as it pulled away.
Mark exhaled beside me. “I can’t believe you actually did that.”
I wrapped my arm around his waist. “Believe it.”
And finally, we could enjoy our honeymoon the way it was meant to be—wrapped in love, luxury, and absolute peace.
