What was supposed to be the perfect honeymoon in Bora Bora quickly turned into a power struggle when my in-laws decided they deserved our luxury villa more than we did. But when my husband finally let me handle the situation, I made sure they got exactly what they deserved.
When we told our families about the trip, my parents were overjoyed. They had always been humble, easygoing people who never expected extravagance. For them, vacations meant road trips, budget-friendly hotels, and simple pleasures like beach picnics. So, when Mark and I invited them on this luxurious getaway, they were completely stunned.
My mom’s eyes welled up with tears, and my dad kept shaking his head in disbelief. “Are you sure this isn’t too much?” he asked.
“Dad, it’s our way of thanking you,” I assured him.
They kept thanking us, calling it the trip of a lifetime.
Mark’s parents, however, were a different story.
Before we even booked the trip, I got a taste of how much control they had over Mark. We had originally planned to go in late May, but when Mark mentioned it to his mom, she immediately rejected the idea.
“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, not a family reunion. 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 assured me. “It’s just easier this way.”
Easier for whom? Not for me. Not for my parents, who had to rearrange their own commitments. But for Linda and Richard? It was perfect. And as always, what they wanted came first.
That night, I confronted him. “You can’t keep letting them run our lives.”
He sighed, rubbing his temples. “Just this once,” he promised. “After this trip, no more. We’re setting boundaries.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Next time, let me handle things.”
We booked his parents a gorgeous overwater bungalow with a glass floor, an open-air bathroom, and a private deck. It was paradise. But when they arrived, their expressions were far from pleased. They barely even said thank you.
Mark and I, on the other hand, had taken the only available villa—a 4,000-square-foot dream home. It had a sauna, an outdoor tub, a private pool, and an ocean slide that dropped straight into the turquoise water. It was breathtaking.
I had a feeling trouble was coming.
At dinner that night, we gathered at a beachside restaurant. The warm air smelled of coconut and grilled seafood, the sky painted in soft pinks and golds as the sun set. We laughed and sipped fresh pineapple cocktails, soaking in the moment.
Then 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 slapped her hand against the table, her eyes darting to Mark. “You have an ocean slide?”
Richard frowned. “Your place has a slide?”
I felt my stomach twist. Here we go.
Linda snatched Mark’s phone and scrolled through our photos. Her face turned red. “Mark, THIS is your place?!”
Mark hesitated. “Uh… yeah?”
Richard shoved his chair back. “And we’re stuck in a bungalow?!”
I blinked. Stuck? The bungalows were luxurious. People dreamed of staying in one.
“Mom, Dad, your place is amazing,” Mark started. “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?”
“There was only one villa available,” I said calmly. “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 smugly. “You can’t even sacrifice a little for family?”
Mark’s hands curled into fists on the table. He glanced at me. His blue eyes searched mine. Then he exhaled and nodded. A small, almost imperceptible nod.
I turned to my in-laws, keeping my voice steady. “I understand you want something better. I’ll make sure you get the special treatment you deserve.”
Linda smirked. “Well, it’s about time.”
That night, I made a quick call to the resort’s concierge.
“You want me to book them a flight home?” the woman asked.
“First-class,” I confirmed. “Only the best for them.”
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of rolling suitcases. From my balcony, I saw Linda and Richard strutting toward the front desk, ready to claim our villa.
The concierge greeted them warmly. “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, your special arrangements have been finalized.”
Linda beamed. “Finally! Where are our new keys?”
The concierge handed them an envelope. “Your first-class tickets.”
Silence.
Linda’s eyebrows shot up. “Tickets?”
Richard tore open the envelope. His face turned scarlet. “This is a joke!”
Linda shrieked, “YOU’RE SENDING US HOME?!”
I stepped forward, flashing my sweetest smile. “You said you deserved the best… and home is the best place we could find for you.”
Richard fumed. “HOW DARE YOU?!”
“Oh, very easily,” I said lightly.
Linda turned to Mark. “You’re going to let her do this?!”
Mark sighed. “Honestly? Yeah.”
Linda gasped. “We didn’t think we’d be treated like this!”
I shrugged. “Safe travels.”
As their boat pulled away, Mark exhaled. “I can’t believe you actually did that.”
I wrapped an arm around him. “Believe it.”
And finally, we could enjoy our honeymoon the way we deserved.
