Ella gets a sense that a proposal is imminent when her boyfriend Ian arranges a romantic vacation to Santorini. However, the pair is taken aback by Mark, Ian’s closest friend, who shows up at their location. Will Ella have her ideal vacation, or will everything go horribly wrong?
I’ve never been the type of person who planned out her dates in advance. Even though I had been dating Ian for two years and knew we were getting married, I didn’t feel pressed for time.
However, Ian had been hinting for the previous six months about a “unforgettable surprise” he was arranging for our summer vacation to Santorini.
“You’ll see, Ella,” my lover would only remark with a cryptic smile if I pressed for more information. You only need to wait.
Furthermore, Ian was not good at organizing surprises. It appeared as though he had revealed the secret with ease. Sometimes he would just flip through engagement rings on the internet, leaving the tabs open so I could locate them.
He even asked me once what my ideal wedding would look like when we were spending a nice evening together.
“I simply want to attempt to visualize what you see when you consider it,” he remarked.
Excitation, of course, overcame me. Was this all there was to it? Was Ian going to ask me to marry him after all?
We were packed for our trip before I really realized how quickly the weeks had gone.
“It’s unbelievable that we’re doing this at last!” Ian yelled, taking out additional clothing to pack from his wardrobe.
“I’m so excited about the beach and the cocktails,” I answered.
I was filled with excitement when our jet landed down.
Observing the sun set over the Aegean Sea and its reflection on the whitewashed houses gave me the impression that Ian was up to something special.
It would be the ideal suggestion.
I had no idea that this vacation would become an emotional roller coaster filled with shocking insights about my relationship.
As we walked hand in hand along the cobblestone streets, Ian remarked, “This place is everything I thought it would be and more.”
Indeed, it was. Everything was enchanted—that is, until dawn.
Ian’s phone chimed with a message as we were about to head down to the hotel’s breakfast. Even though I was famished and only wanted to eat myself, I couldn’t help but notice how happy my partner looked as he received the message.
“What’s happening?” As I picked up my sunscreen to bring with us, I inquired.
“You know what?” he cried with excitement. “Mark is also in Santorini! He heard we were on vacation, so he chose to come here after making some last-minute alterations to his work trip! Isn’t it fantastic?
“Would you like your best friend to ruin our vacation?” Sincerely shocked, I inquired. “That’s fantastic!”
And initially, I believed it to be. Mark was the first guy Ian introduced me to when we initially started dating. I knew him well, then. And I was also aware of their proximity.
Indeed! How wonderful that he will be able to share this space with us? We’ll be able to hang out as well,” he said, texting Mark back and presumably providing him with the hotel’s information.
As I put on my shoes, I grinned. Mark’s presence made me pleased. I realized how much he meant to Ian, and it was simple to get along with him.
I reasoned that having him here wouldn’t be all that horrible. One thing my fear would not allow was doing any of the aquatic activities with him, so Ian could do them all together.
Ian assured them, “We’ll still get to have our alone time.” “Ella, don’t worry about that.”
We were both really happy to see Mark when he got to our hotel. To celebrate his birthday, Ian got bottles of champagne and room service.
Ian remarked, “Let’s explore the island together.”
Seeing the two buddies together again, laughing and telling stories, brought me great joy.
Up until it wasn’t.
I started to feel like a third wheel in our relationship as the hours went by. Ian and Mark were lost in their own thoughts, making plans for future travels and reminiscing about the past.
I made an effort to participate, but their inside jokes and experiences throughout the years frequently kept me in the dark.
I said to myself, “This is getting old,” as I stood on our hotel room’s balcony and heard Ian and Mark laugh like teenagers.
The exploits of Ian and Mark’s bromance unfolded in a haze over the following several days.
“You mean it’s turned into a buddy trip?” my pal Rae questioned over the phone.
Ian and Mark have not stopped interacting. It’s all focused on them. They took excursions, investigated secret caverns, and went scuba diving. Everything without my presence!
She questioned, “What are you doing now?”
“I’m waiting on a massage,” I answered. I reasoned that I may as well amuse myself. I had other expectations for my romantic holiday than this.
“Talk to Ian, sweetie,” Rae murmured. Inform him of your feelings. Most likely, he’s just too happy to see Mark and has forgotten everything that matters.
I gave myself a self-nod.
Yes, I replied, nodding. “I’ll find Ian after getting my massage and de-stressing.”
Nevertheless, I was unable to locate Ian or Mark, even though I knew Ian would ultimately appear because we had a reservation for dinner together that night.
“I told you, Ella,” Ian stated after making his reappearance. “There will be time for just the two of us as well.”
I got ready in the hopes of spending some quality time with my lover. We needed to spend time together alone if the purpose of this vacation was for the two of us to create a new direction.
However, Mark appeared at our door just as we were ready to go.
I mumbled under my breath, “Oh, boy.”
With excitement, he pushed his way into our room and said, “Hey, guys!” “I recently learned that there would be a fantastic beach party this evening. I’m eager to investigate it. You must attend!”
My partner’s eyes gleamed.
That sounds fantastic! Ella, hurry up and let’s go!
Breathing deeply, I tried not to panic.
Ian, we’re scheduled to eat supper. But if you truly want to, perhaps you should go. It’s alright. Later, I’ll make up with you.
Ian, though, was not having it.
“Ella, hurry up; this will be fun, baby!”
“I’ll see you later,” I firmly stated.
Something broke inside of me as I saw them arranging their night out and giving each other high fives. This was meant to be our special journey together, a turning point in our partnership.
I felt invisible instead.
I sat on the big bed and placed an order for room service.
“Isn’t this going to be my life?” To the empty room, I murmured.
And it was visible to me. Ian’s marriage to Mark ensured that he would always be present. He would be standing next to Ian during our wedding. Most likely, he would visit on the honeymoon.
And should we become parents? Is Mark going to be in the delivery room too?
No. I have to end this nonsense.
I went to the hotel management with a plan the next morning while they were off on yet another trip. I gave him my explanation and, using a little bit of charm, managed to get him to assist me in taking my unorthodox retaliation.
He remarked, “Ma’am, I can’t say that I’ve ever been a part of something like this before.”
Ian and Mark were greeted by a staff member upon their return to the hotel later on.
“You have been upgraded,” the statement read. Your possessions have been relocated to a new room. Please come with me.
They probably believed that we were moving into a larger suite so that the three of us could share space.
However, no. That was not my intention.
The room had been converted into a honeymoon suite when they walked in. A bottle of champagne was cold on the table, lights glowed, and rose petals covered the whole space. The little velvet box I had discovered in Ian’s bag was positioned in the center of the bed.
“What is this whole thing?” Mark enquired.
Ian, did you want a proposal? Here, it’s obvious that Mark is the most significant person to you. You guys may now officially announce it.
Together, they said, “What?”
“Ian, I can’t do this. We’re only on vacation, so it might seem ridiculous, but this feels like this is how the rest of our life will be. I’m not registering for this, either. I’ve reserved the next flight home.
Ian made an effort to talk sense into my head, but I knew it was done. I simply didn’t want to continue doing this because something inside of me had broken.
As unexpected as it came, Santorini brought both a proposal and a split.
I thought back on the vacation while I waited at the airport. Although it wasn’t the proposal I had anticipated, it made clear to me what I really needed: a partner who prioritized me.
How would you have responded in the situation?
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