Across The Balcony

There were exactly twenty-three steps from Isabella Rossi’s bedroom door to her balcony. She had counted them years ago. Every night, without thinking, she walked those same twenty-three steps. Not because she loved the night air. Not because the view of Barcelona was beautiful. But because of him. Across the narrow street stood the De Luca Mansion. It wasn’t just a house—it was an estate. White stone walls climbed three stories high, elegant black balconies overlooked the city, and a wrought-iron gate protected everything behind it. It was the kind of place ordinary people only saw in magazines. And every night… Alexander De Luca stepped onto the third-floor balcony. Like clockwork. At exactly eleven. Sometimes he stood with a glass of water. Sometimes he stared at the stars. Sometimes he rested both hands on the railing, looking like the loneliest man in the city. Isabella had never spoken to him. She doubted he even knew she existed. Yet somehow… She knew the nights he couldn’t sleep. She knew he loved classical music because she could hear the faint sound of his piano whenever his balcony door was open. She knew he hated rainy weather because he disappeared indoors the moment it started. Three years of silent observation… And not a single conversation. “You’ll wear a hole through that balcony one day.” Isabella jumped. Her mother laughed as she walked into the room carrying folded laundry. “You were watching him again.” “I was just getting fresh air.” “Fresh air doesn’t usually make people smile.” Isabella felt her cheeks burn. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Her mother only chuckled. “I’ll pretend I believe you.” The moment she left the room, Isabella looked across the street again. Alexander had already gone inside. She sighed. “Goodnight,” she whispered, even though he couldn’t hear her. The next morning was her first day at the University of Barcelona. Campus was exactly what she’d imagined. Students everywhere. Music blasting from portable speakers. People hugging old friends. Freshers looking completely lost. By lunchtime, she’d already gotten lost twice. “Need help?” A cheerful girl smiled at her. “I’m Emma.” “Isabella.” “First year?” She nodded. Emma laughed. “I could tell.” Within minutes, the two girls were chatting like old friends. “You live around here?” Emma asked. “Near Passeig de Gràcia.” Emma’s eyes widened. “That’s the expensive neighborhood.” Isabella laughed. “I wish. I live in the apartment building opposite one of the expensive houses.” “Which one?” “The De Luca Mansion.” Emma stopped walking. “Wait… the De Lucas?” “I guess.” “The billionaire family?” “I’ve never really paid attention.” Emma stared at her. “You’ve never paid attention?” Isabella shrugged. “They’re just my neighbors.” Emma burst into laughter. “You might be the only girl in Barcelona who says that.” That evening… After finishing dinner, Isabella carried her laptop to the balcony. She had an assignment due the next morning. She opened her Wi-Fi settings. No internet. She frowned. “Seriously?” She restarted the router. Nothing. She checked again. Still nothing. Muttering under her breath, she opened the list of connected devices. Usually there were only three. Her phone. Her laptop. Her mother’s tablet. Tonight… There were four. One device she had never seen before. ALEXANDER’S IPHONE Isabella blinked. “…What?” She looked across the street. Alexander was standing on his balcony, looking down at his phone. Almost immediately… The Wi-Fi signal on her laptop disappeared completely. Her mouth slowly fell open. “There’s no way…” Her fingers flew across the keyboard. She changed the Wi-Fi password. Saved it. Then folded her arms with a satisfied smile. “Let’s see you steal my internet now.” Less than thirty seconds later… Knock. She froze. Someone was at the apartment door. Her mother wasn’t home yet. Another knock. Louder this time. Knock. Knock. Knock. Her heart began to pound. Slowly… She walked to the door. She unlocked it. Opened it just a few inches… And forgot how to breathe. Standing outside her apartment… With one hand in his pocket and the faintest hint of a smile on his lips… Was Alexander De Luca. He looked straight into her eyes. Then he said— “I think you changed my Wi-Fi password.”