Finding love in Paris

Tour guide

*Background*
Alycia has finally graduated college AND landed her DREAM job!!
She celebrates by taking a trip to Paris before work life becomes her everyday.
-Alycias *POV*
*Sigh* I've been here three days already and nothing of note has happened. How am I supposed to spend the rest of this week alone in the city of love!! I glance at the beautiful surroundings of the Paris city streets, smiling to myself I try to enjoy the moment.

"Excuse me mademoiselle, are you lost"?
A tall handsome man with brown hair styled in a messy way and a smirk on his face stares back at me.
"Woah, do you sneak up on everyone like that"?! I exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. You just looked a little lost..."
*Who is this man and what does he want from me?*
"You look terrified! Sorry again, my name is Leo, and I grew up around here. I'm just trying to be a good host. Honest".
Smiling I say "You can call me Alycia".
"Alycia what a beautiful name, it suits you perfectly".
"Was that a pick up line? It's terrible. Don't use it again".
"What? No! I just wanted to know what brings you to Paris"?
"I'm looking for love. Go ahead you can laugh now".
"Well if love is what you're looking for you came to the right city"!
"Is that so"?
"Of course! Romance is all this city knows. It's everywhere, all around you...and in front of you".
"I came alone. Doesn't seem very romantic to me. All I've experienced is a boring museum".
"You didn't hire a tour guide"?
I flash a devious smile "I prefer exploring on my own. Having a guide ruins that. Besides I was hoping to meet someone. Can't meet anyone with a guide looking over your shoulder, can you"? I ask.
We both laugh and I realize it's the first time I've laughed the entire trip.
"Tell me Alycia, do you speak any French"?
"No, I wish! I'm horrible at picking up new languages".
"Don't worry I'll teach you! How long are you staying?? Three years I hope"! He says eagerly.
"Not quite, I only have a few days left here to explore".
"Oh my! Well we better get started then"! Leo grabs my arm pulling me along.
As we're walking he asks "Why so soon? What's the rush"?
"I just graduated from college and got my dream job I'm due to start in a weeks time". I say with pride.
"Tragic I'd say. We're all slaves of money". He says plainly.
"I like the idea of working with a team towards a common goal".
"I say live now. Experience life now well it's sweet and enjoy the flavor of it without having to retreat back to a small office".
His way of thinking speaks to me in a way I wasn't anticipating. We walk in silence for a moment.
"How about you? What do you do Leo"? I ask curious to see what he says.
"Me? Why I'm your personal tour guide"! He smiles mischievously.
I roll my eyes and nudge him.
"No, I meant, what do you do normally without me"?
"Living without you is normal"?!
"Agh! What do you do for a living? Do you work"? I ask.
He answers slowly "Yes, the job is soul-crushing..."
"It's that bad"? My eyebrows knit together in concern, as I reach out placing my hand on his shoulder.
"Not really. It's okay I guess? It gives me the freedom to do the things I want to do".
"And what's that"? I ask suggestively.
"What's what"? He teases.
"What do you do with your freedom"?
He looks out at the beautiful architecture surrounding us and says "I want to feed my heart, not my bank. I want to travel, meet new people...I want to fall in love".

To be continued....