Make Me Yours

Chapter 13 - Insecurities

As the days went by, Laura sensed a change in Ralph's demeanor. His phone conversations became more frequent, and there was a hint of preoccupation in his voice. One evening, while they were sitting in their cozy living room, Laura couldn't help but overhear a conversation Ralph was having on the phone.

Curiosity piqued, Laura strained to listen without trying to appear too obvious. She caught snippets of the conversation – mentions of someone named Tanya, memories from the past, and plans for a visit. Her heart clenched, a mix of unease and insecurity settling in.

After Ralph ended the call, Laura cleared her throat, unable to suppress her curiosity any longer. "Ralph, who's Tanya?"

Ralph looked at her, his expression momentarily surprised before he quickly composed himself. "Oh, Tanya. She's an old friend from my childhood. We've reconnected recently."

Laura's eyes narrowed slightly, her thoughts racing. "Reconnected how?"

Ralph's tone was calm, but Laura could sense a hint of tension beneath it. "We caught up over the phone. She's planning to visit the country."

Laura's heart skipped a beat. "Visit the country? And how close are you two?"

Ralph sighed, his gaze locked onto Laura's. "Laura, she's just a friend. We grew up together, that's all."

Laura's insecurity bubbled to the surface, her past with Jake haunting her thoughts. "I hope she's really just a friend."

Ralph's voice was earnest as he reached out to take Laura's hand. "Laura, I understand your concerns given what you've been through. But you have to trust me. Tanya is a part of my past, and that's where she'll remain – in the past."

Laura's grip on his hand tightened, her vulnerability evident in her eyes. "I want to trust you, Ralph. It's just... I've been hurt before."

Ralph's fingers brushed against her cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. "I know, and I'm here to reassure you that you're the only one in my heart now. No one else matters to me."

Laura's eyes met his, a mixture of uncertainty and hope in her gaze. "Promise me that you'll be honest with me, no matter what."

Ralph's voice was soft, his gaze unwavering. "I promise, Laura. You're my priority, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep your trust."

As the days went on, Laura's insecurities lingered, but Ralph made sure to include her in his conversations with Tanya. He introduced them over video calls, allowing Laura to see for herself that Tanya was indeed just a friend from his past. Slowly but surely, Laura's unease began to fade, replaced by a growing understanding and a sense of security.

On the day of Tanya's arrival, Laura found herself feeling a mixture of curiosity and nervousness. She and Ralph waited at the airport, their fingers intertwined as they watched passengers disembark from the plane. And then, amidst the crowd, Laura spotted Tanya – a familiar face from Ralph's past.

As Tanya approached, there was a genuine warmth in her smile. She hugged Ralph, and Laura observed their interaction closely, her heart racing. Ralph then turned to Laura, his gaze filled with reassurance. "Tanya, this is Laura, my wife."

Tanya extended her hand, her smile friendly. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Laura. Ralph has told me a lot about you."

Laura shook Tanya's hand, a sense of relief washing over her. "Likewise, Tanya. Welcome to our country."

As the three of them spent time together, Laura realized that her initial apprehensions had been unfounded. Tanya was genuinely kind and respectful, and it was clear that her relationship with Ralph was purely platonic. With each passing day, Laura's trust in Ralph deepened, and her insecurities began to melt away.