Matteo moved through the dimly lit streets, his hands shoved into his pockets as the cool night air brushed against his face. He needed a moment away from everything—the chaos, the threats, the tangled web of feelings he refused to acknowledge. 

He had left the apartment a little while earlier to give the girls some space. Hana had just had her world turned upside down with the news of her cheating boyfriend. He decided the fresh air was nice but now it was time to head back.

He was amazed how the city was alive even at this hour. He silenced the noise around him until he caught something out of the corner of his eye. 

A woman stumbling on unsteady feet, barely holding herself upright.

Matteo sighed, instinctively veering away. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with whatever trouble she’d gotten herself into. But then, just as he was about to keep walking, he saw a man step out of a small convenience store and grab her wrist. The man was clearly a little too drunk for his own good. He didn’t seem to understand that the woman was not interested in him.  

She jerked away, shaking her head aggressively. 

“No, no, I’m not interested,” she said, her words slightly slurred, but got the point across.

The man didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled her closer, “Oh, come on. Just one drink. It's on me”

Matteo stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing on his soon to be target. He didn’t understand how people were so dense. Could he not understand what no meant? Matteo turned to approach them but before he could step in, someone else did.

A younger man, maybe mid 20s, lean, stylish, and unexpectedly strong, shoved the creep back, sending him stumbling backwards onto the pavement.

“Didn’t you hear the lady?” the stranger said, crossing his arms. His voice was lighthearted, but there was a sharpness beneath it.

The man on the ground growled, pushing himself up, “Why you little—”

Matteo moved quickly before he could finish. Before the man knew it he collapsed on the pavement, unconscious.

Matteo exhaled, flexing his fingers from the contact his hand made with the unconscious man’s face. “That should do it,” he said coldly.

The stranger turned to him with a grin, clearly impressed by what he just witnessed, “Nice hit.”

Matteo barely acknowledged him, his focus already on the woman swaying unsteadily on her feet.

Hana? Seriously.

Her eyes fluttered up to him, blinking in confusion, “Matteo… is that you?”

Matteo exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. Of course. Of course it was her. 

I can’t seem to catch a break, he thought a little annoyed.

The younger man, still standing by, watched the interaction, his expression shifting to suspicion, unsure if he could trust Matteo. 

“Do you know this woman?”

Matteo nodded, “Yes, I do. I can take her from here.”

The man hesitated, his eyes flickering between Matteo and Hana. “How about I just escort her home myself?”

Matteo appreciated the caution and found it admirable. This guy didn’t know him, and he wasn’t about to let some random man take a defenseless woman who already had to deal with another drunken man's advances.

Unsure if he could let the stranger know where they were going Matteo reached into his pocket, pulled out a sleek black business card, and handed it over. It read Astor Tech Industries on the front with a phone number on the back. 

“If you’re worried, you can call that number in the morning,” Matteo said, his voice calm but firm.

The man took the card and inspected it. Then, after a beat, he sighed and nodded. “Alright. But if she wakes up tomorrow and says you did anything to her, I’m coming for you.”

Matteo smirked, “Noted.” 

The stranger knew he couldn’t take Matteo. It was clear that the man before him was a lot bigger and looked like he trained every day. Instead he offered his hand, “I’m Ahn Dae-Sung.”

Matteo shook it, this was the first time he actually admired someone since being here.  

“Matteo De Luca.”

Dae-Sung patted Hana on the shoulder, “Take care Hana. And drink some water, yeah?”

Hana waved at him lazily, “You’re a good kid, Dae-Sung-ahhh–” 

Dae-Sung couldn’t have been much younger than her but she was calling him a good kid. Before she could fall over, Matteo scooped her up over his shoulder.