The weekend had been nothing short of magical, or so I thought, as Nick and I enjoyed the breathtaking ocean views from our luxurious hotel room. He made a big show of treating me, pampering me with breakfast in bed and leisurely walks on the beach. The carefree laughter, the shared moments exploring quaint little shops in town—it all felt like the perfect romantic getaway.
However, that perfect image shattered on Monday morning when Nick, looking agitated, announced an urgent work meeting that couldn’t be missed. “I need to leave NOW. Just check out and come home later,” he said, pecking me on the cheek before he rushed out. Left in a state of sudden solitude, I tried to savor the last few hours of my supposed paradise.
Upon checking out, my relaxed state turned into shock as the receptionist presented me with a $1,350 bill for minibar and room service charges. My attempts to reach Nick were futile; he responded only with a cold text instructing me to handle the bill. The receptionist’s revelation that the room had been a free perk from Nick’s work added insult to injury. He hadn’t spent a dime on the room, yet he’d left me to cover a hefty bill under the guise of generosity.
Fuming during the drive home, my anger gave way to an idea for creative payback. I arrived at my apartment, fired up with resolve. I took to my laptop and started crafting what appeared to be a luxurious “Thank You” card. On the front, I used elegant, swirling fonts and soft, romantic colors to give it an exquisite look, befitting of the lavish weekend we had spent.
Inside, I included a heartfelt note:
“Dearest Nick,
Thank you for a weekend full of surprises and unforgettable memories. Each moment was more perfect than the last. I’ve taken care of the little surprise you left for me at checkout, and in return, I’ve arranged a small surprise for you as well. Can’t wait for you to discover it!
Forever grateful, your girlfriend.”
I sent the card along with a small, beautifully wrapped box to his office. The box contained a detailed invoice of every minibar item and room service order he had made, each listed with its cost and a final total—exactly $1,350. Attached to it was a note:
“Since you enjoyed them so much, I thought you’d like to keep these memories. Kindly handle this souvenir of our weekend. Cheers!”
Nick received the package at his busy office, his colleagues’ curious eyes on him as he unwrapped it. His face dropped as he read the contents, realizing the extent of his miscalculation. My phone buzzed shortly after. It was Nick, finally calling, his voice a mix of frustration and admiration. “You got me good,” he admitted, “I’m sorry, and I’ll pay the bill. You didn’t deserve that.”
Though our relationship faced a serious conversation about trust and respect, Nick’s swift response to my creative payback marked the first step toward mending fences. Sometimes, a clever reminder of one’s missteps is all it takes to bring about a bit of necessary humility and responsibility.
