Crossing Hearts- A Maidstone Love Story

Chapter 62

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, illuminating the cosy hotel room where Jasper and Alessia were slowly waking up. Day two of their Paris adventure awaited them, and both could feel the excitement in the air.

Jasper opened his eyes, his arm still wrapped around Alessia, who lay curled up beside him. He watched her for a moment, marvelling at how peaceful she looked. She opened her eyes, squinting a bit as she adjusted to the light.

"Good morning, gorgeous," he whispered with a smile.

Alessia stretched, giving him a sleepy smile. "Morning. Ready for another day in the City of Love?"

He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Always. I've got a few things planned today, so get ready for an adventure."

Her eyes lit up with intrigue. "Do I get any hints?"

"Hmm... I'll just say, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for something a little unexpected," he replied, grinning mischievously.

Intrigued, Alessia quickly got out of bed, heading for the bathroom to get ready. Jasper followed, and they took turns freshening up, teasing each other over the tiny sink space and sharing soft laughter that filled the quiet morning air.

Once they were dressed, they headed downstairs for a quick breakfast at the hotel café. They both ordered fresh pastries and coffee, sitting close as they chatted about the day ahead.

"So, what's on the agenda?" Alessia asked, sipping her coffee.

"Well, I thought we'd start with something a bit historical," Jasper replied, smirking. "I know you're a history buff, so I figured the Louvre would be a good place to start."

Her face lit up. "Jasper, that's amazing! I've wanted to see the Mona Lisa and all those famous paintings for ages."

"I know," he replied, pleased with her reaction. "And after that, I've got a few more surprises up my sleeve."

After breakfast, they made their way to the Metro, navigating through the busy Parisian streets until they reached the Louvre. The building was massive and ornate, with the iconic glass pyramid glistening in the sunlight at the entrance.

"Wow," Alessia breathed, taking in the grandeur of the museum. "It's even more beautiful in person."

They entered the museum, grabbing a map and deciding on a few must-see spots before wandering through the vast halls. Jasper found himself just as fascinated by the art as Alessia was, and they spent hours admiring the sculptures, paintings, and ancient artefacts from around the world.

They finally reached the section where the Mona Lisa was displayed, joining the crowd gathered around the famous painting.

"There she is," Jasper said, nudging Alessia. "The real Mona Lisa."

Alessia leaned in closer, studying the painting with a fascinated expression. "She's smaller than I imagined," she remarked, laughing softly. "But there's something so captivating about her."

They lingered a little longer, exploring a few more exhibits before deciding to leave and get some fresh air. As they walked out into the sun-drenched courtyard, Jasper turned to her with a grin.

"Alright, ready for surprise number two?" he asked.

"Always," she replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

They made their way toward the Seine River, where Jasper had arranged for a private boat ride. Alessia gasped when she saw the sleek boat waiting for them at the dock.

"A boat ride?" she exclaimed, looking at him with delighted surprise. "Jasper, this is amazing!"

"Thought it would be a fun way to see Paris from a different angle," he replied, giving her hand a squeeze.