ng in one.
“Mom, Dad,” Mark said, “your place is amazing. The finest bungalow they offer.”
“But it’s NOT a villa,” Linda said coldly. Her voice was harsh as she turned. How come you obtain first place?
I inhaled slowly. Stay calm, Emily. “There was only one villa available,” I remarked. It wouldn’t have been fair to give it to one set of parents.”
Linda grumbled. “We’re seniors! While our children live in luxury, we shouldn’t be peasants!”
I almost choked on my drink. Peasants? In Bora Bora?
Richard crossed arms. “Mark OWES us. We reared him. He wouldn’t be here without us.”
Smug Linda nodded. “You can’t even sacrifice for family?”
Mark froze. His gaze alternated between me and his parents. Linda’s nostrils flared. Richard was clenching his jaw so fiercely I worried he’d shatter a tooth.
Linda snapped, expecting Mark to support them. Say something!
Mark opened and closed his lips. He made fists on the table. I could see his mental fight. He had obeyed them his whole life. It wasn’t just him anymore. About us.
He regarded me. Those blue eyes scanned me. After exhaling, he nodded. A barely detectable nod. My heart jumped. I had his approval.
Turning to my in-laws, I said steadily. I know you want better. Yes, family should be respected. I’ll give you special care.”
Linda grinned. “It’s time.”
Richard sneered. “Should’ve done that first.”
They rose up and preened like they had won a fight. Linda tossed her napkin on the table. “We’ll expect the change in the morning.”
As they fled, Richard muttered. I heard “ungrateful children” before they vanished along the wooden path.
I looked at Mark again. He sighed, massaging his face.
“Are you sure?” he questioned.
I grinned. “Oh, I’m certain.”
That night, I called the resort concierge quickly. A request? An ‘upgrade’ for my in-laws.
The lady on the other end seemed puzzled, but she laughed softly once I explained.
“You want me to book their flight home?” she inquired.
“First-class,” I said. “Just the best for them.”
“Consider finished.”
I heard bags moving over my villa’s wooden terrace the following morning. I walked onto the balcony to find Linda and Richard at the front desk, their chests puffed with anticipation.
They already boasted. I knew they would enter our villa and receive what they deserved in their faces.
A smiling concierge greeted them. “Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, your special arrangements are complete.”
Linda smiled. “Finally! Where are our new keys?
She presented an envelope. Your first-class tickets.”
Silence.
Linda raised her eyebrows. “Tickets?”
Richard grabbed the envelope and ripped it. I had never seen his face this crimson. “This is a joke,” he hissed. “This goddamn joke.”
Linda opened and closed her mouth like a fish. “YOU SEND US HOME?” She screamed so loudly that visitors started looking.
I approached with my kindest grin. You said you deserved the finest… We could find you no better place than home.”
Richard’s face scorched. HOW DARE YOU?!
“Oh, very easily,” I responded carelessly.
Linda glanced around, begging for help. She faced Mark. “You’ll let her hurt us?”
Sighing, Mark stroked his hair. “Honestly? Yeah.”
Linda gasped like he smacked her. We’re your parents!
He said, “And we’re on our honeymoon. You don’t like Bora Bora, Mom. You whined the whole flight.”
Linda stammered, struggling to argue. “We didn’t expect this treatment.”
I shrugged. “Safe travels.”
In an instant, resort workers took control. They had their stuff on a boat. Linda screamed as the boat left the pier. Mark stopped near me to watch his folks cross the sea.
Shaking his head, he sighed. “I can’t believe you did that.”
Wrapping my arm around his waist. Believe it.”
He looked at me with a gentler gaze than in days. I regret letting things go this bad. I should have stopped it sooner.”
I took his hand. “You ultimately did right. That matters.”
We enjoyed our honeymoon for the first time since arriving.
We spent the following four days enjoying the villa’s grandeur.
We spent relaxing mornings on our own terrace watching the dawn over the water. We drank coffee in bed without interruptions or remorse.
We had romantic meals in our villa with the sound of waves, feeling like the world belonged to us.
Mark kissed my forehead as we sat in the outside tub one night. He said, “Best decision ever.”
I grinned, falling into his hug. This vacation was intended to celebrate love, and it was.
