Hours had passed since the great Matteo had been bested by two women half his size. They continued to ignore his pleas for help. 

“No one can save you,” Lexi said sternly. “Except maybe Jesus. So I suggest you pray a little harder.”

Lexi and Hana worked as a team, grabbing item after item while Matteo stood like a prisoner awaiting his sentencing. 

Can this get any worse?! His mind raced, scanning for all the possible exits.

The girls enjoyed the time while he was in the back trying things on. It was like the good ole days. They took countless pictures of themselves, laughing and giggling like teenage girls. 

This place was exquisite! Even the lighting made you feel like you belonged on the cover of a magazine.

He tried on various looks. A tailored navy suit. A black turtleneck with all-black pants and sports coat to match. He even tried on casual looks. Jacket after Jacket. It was like some montage from a Korean drama. His favorite item was a stylish dark leather jacket. He’d never tell the girls that though.

He tried on every single thing they picked out, each outfit looking better than the last. Finally, they handed him one last outfit.

When he stepped out of the dressing room, both women audibly gasped. Mouths gaping open. A clean-cut dark green suit that fit him perfectly.

"Who knew you’d look this good?" Hana said, mouth open and eyes wide.

Lexi was speechless. He wasn’t one to put much thought into anything except his standard black suit. Matteo stared at himself in the mirror. Wondering how the person before him could look so different.

For the first time in a long time, he saw himself. Not as someone’s bodyguard but just as Matteo. He looked good. And for the first time in the last 10 years, he actually cared.

"You clean up nicely," Lexi teased, nudging him.

Matteo didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he simply touched the lapels of the jacket, admiring the cut. He looked like a kid in a candy store.

"I don’t even know what to say," he muttered.

"You look handsome, own it," Lexi said warmly.

His face unknowingly flushed. The words handsome played over and over in his mind.

"I never cared what I looked like before. Not to mention last time you guys gave me a crazy makeover–" He gave her a side glare.

Lexi and Hana exchanged a look. “We are sorry Matteo, that was years ago and we were kids. As you can see we matured.”

Matured? Yeah right!

Lexi disappeared for a moment and returned with a small carefully crafted wooden box.

She handed it to him, "Take this. It’s for you. We both picked it out."

Matteo opened it and saw a black watch inside. He flipped it over to see something engraved on the back. He ran his fingers over the words, eyes softening. 

It read, The one constant in my life full of changes. - Alexandra

She knew he was orphaned when he was a teenager, so she was the closest thing he had to a family. 

"I will cherish this always," he said softly, a smile creeping across his face. For the first time in years, Matteo smiled. Not a small one. An actual smile. One that revealed teeth.

Hana clutched her chest. Badump. She wanted to see him smile more often. 

"Oh my God, it happened. Matteo smiles, I truly think I might cry. This is the best day EVER!"

“I smile.”

“It’s quite rare. You did laugh when we got to Korea but that’s about it.”

“He laughed?” Hana whispered to herself. 

“Now let's move onto the next place,” Lexi smirked.

“There’s more?” Matteo questioned.

“You think this is it? Absolutely not!”

Next thing he knew, he was in a salon sitting in the chair. He instantly regretted his thoughts early. It in fact could get worse. As he sat in the chair, Lexi could’ve sworn she saw tears in his eyes. 

Matteo, who never shows emotion? No, couldn’t be! She laughed to herself.

This was for the best though, his hair had gotten way too long. 

Matteo didn’t even say anything, he just accepted defeat. Each snip made him feel that much lighter. The haircut made him look younger and more refined.

“Do you like it?” Hana asked.

Matteo looked at himself in the mirror. The cut was shorter than he was used to, but he actually liked it. 

“Yes, thank you.”

"Good. Because you’re wearing one of those outfits we purchased tonight!" Lexi yelled, unable to contain her excitement.

Matteo stared at her, confused, "Tonight?"

"Yep! Jae-Yong sent over four concert tickets."

Matteo looked between the two women, processing what he had heard.

"Wait, concert?"

Lexi’s grin grew, "Yes, Matteo. We’re going to see a K-Pop idol live. Buckle up."

Matteo sighed heavily. What had he gotten himself into? At least he never had to worry about being bored with these two. 

“Wait four tickets?”