Chapter 158 - Juliana Coniglio Sabattini

September 9, 2012 – 5pm Sunday – Upper East Side, New York

"Dear, just have fun. Your grandpa and I already arranged it, so let's not disappoint the young man, okay?" My mother told me as she did final adjustments to my dress.

Despite her having something to do with my plans tonight, I can still see some concern in her face about my feelings. That at least, gives me consolation. 

Tonight, I'm having a date with Tayaw, the upstart director and singer who somehow managed to worm in to my grandpa and uncle's good favor. At the night I first met him, I thought grandpa was just kidding about setting Tayaw up with me. My assumption was proven right even more when Tayaw did not call or even text me since then, while grandpa and mom never said anything. 

I thought the issue was over until Tayaw showed up on TV last Friday night. Tayaw was the guest, FOR THE WHOLE FRICKIN EPISODE, in MY favorite late night talk show. I have to admit, he looked very handsome and very gentlemanly as he was talking with Aiden. The way he explained his film and his process was strangely attractive too. It also warmed my heart when he exchanged hats with one of the house band's members. 

Wait. Is he really a gentleman? I was quite offended by his take on relationsh.i.p.s and marriage. Whatever, he made it funny. 

As if his charming personality wasn't enough, he can sing great too. And as if being a great singer wasn't enough, he's also a great guitar player. I have to admit, I almost became a fan. It wasn't only me he charmed, but his appearance on the show also garnered a LOT of attention from the ladies on social media. The comments and tweets alone, I can't believe how bold they are. 

I guess grandpa also got wind of the feathers that Tayaw ruffled among the ladies that he had Tayaw call me and ask me out. That's when I knew that grandpa was at least, kind of, serious about setting Tayaw up with me. 

Would I have been younger; I would have blown grandpa's request off. As a kid, I always thought that grandpa was going to live forever and that I was going to be his little princess forever. Now, I know better; whatever makes grandpa happy, I'd do it, if I can. It's not like a date with a hot guy is difficult is either. And, judging from his interview, at least I'm not expecting any romancing from the guy, which at least takes off the pressure.

*ding**dong* Ah. That must be him.

"He's here honey. Have fun, okay?" Mom said as she kissed my cheek.

"Oh. I'm gonna be fine. It's a date, not summer camp." I rolled my eyes.

It's not like it's my first time going on a date. It's also not my first time going out with a celebrity. A date with a celebrity, arranged by third party, though, is a first. 

"Christian, please let the young man in. I wanna see him first." Mom ordered the man that my uncle has working as a bodyguard for mom. After a few more adjustments, me and mom descended down the living room to welcome Tayaw.

*Click* *Clack* The front door was opened by one of our maids and there he is, Tayaw, looking very handsome with his three-piece suit and fancy hat.

"Good evening Mrs. Sabattini. Juliana. I didn't make you wait long, no?" Tayaw greeted us as he removed his hat. As he looked at me, his gaze almost took my breath away. 

"A-ah. We-." I guess I'm not the only one affected by his 'presence', or whatever it is. Mom rarely stutters.

"You're just in time, my dear. You look very handsome." Mom got her word out.

Her frankness quickly returning, she also stepped towards Tayaw and gave him a hug. Wow. I guess mom really likes this guy.

"Thank you, ma'am. You and Juliana look wonderful as well. Juliana, especially in that dress. You look stunning." Tayaw said confidently.

"Thank you." his compliment made me feel better. I guess my dark blue c.o.c.ktail dress was a good choice.

"Hm. I made sure of it." Mom said as she also studied how I look. How many times does she have to check? I look great. 

"Well. I won't take a lot of your time. Have fun you two…" Mom gave Tayaw a kiss on the cheek and whispered something to him. I then saw Tayaw smile… bitterly. Ugh, mom. 

A minute later, we're out of the townhouse, his vintage looking dark red muscle car already waiting for us by the front gate. Funny, it looks just like a car that my uncle would like.

"Nice car. Where'd you get it?" I asked.

"My dad's auto shop. He did a fine job refurbishing, didn't he?" Tayaw said, as he gave his car a once over. The look in his eyes however, contains not just his appreciation for the car, but also something else. There is a story there. 

"He did. It actually looks new. Your dad's a mechanic?" I asked.

"Yeah, a good one. Anyway, are you ready?" Tayaw didn't talk about his dad more and just opened the passenger's door for me.

A few minutes later, we're out of the complex.

"So, where are we going? You're not going to bring me to see your film, right? The title and the date today matches." I asked, tried to tease him.

Tayaw looks hot, seems like a nice guy and down-to-earth but he might be boring. And boring is a bit of a turn-off.

"Yuck. I'm not that corny." Tayaw scoffed, which I'm relieved by.

"I made a reservation for two at Le Soir at 8." Tayaw followed.

Fancy, but I rose my brows at the time. It's not even 6pm yet.

"So? What are we gonna do for two hours?" I asked. 

"Well? We have another appointment at Woodhaven and if you won't like it there, I have another place reserved for back-up. You'll see when we get there." Tayaw said.

I guess he prepared some sort of a surprise. I've been in many dates and I have been underwhelmed a lot, so I'm not expecting much. 

"So, what you said on TV, was it true?" I asked as we drove. If he's gonna be close to family, I wouldn't mind knowing the guy more. 

"I've said a lot of things then. Which one?" Tayaw asked back.

"That you have no time for romance?" I clarified.

"Ah. That one. Yeah. I'm busy. Especially now that I'm preparing to start filming that film about your grandfather, I can't have anything to distract me that might lead to a shitty film." He explained.

But still, no romance? How busy could he be? 

"I heard that it takes at least 8 months to make a good film." I ask, curious.

"Yeah, but it's not that simple. If it was the conventional film, it would take a few months up to a few years to write a script if a film maker don't have a ready one. Then pre-production; costumes, sets, hiring actors, that might take a few weeks to months. Then production; the shooting proper. That might take under a month if the story is set in few places. Then finally, editing and music. That would take two weeks at least. 

"But you've seen my film, and I'm planning on making your grandpa's film just as unconventional. That makes the process more intricate, it might take longer." He explained.

I don't know much about making films but what he said makes sense.

"Sorry. I tend to ramble sometimes." He apologized.

"It's fine. I'm actually interested. How long did you film 'September Ninth' by the way?" I ask.

"The script was ready. The story was small. I found the actors quickly. The filming went smoothly. And the post production was easy. All in all, it took me two months to make it." He explained.

Jeez. He rambled about how long it takes to make films, but it took him two months to make a great one.

"Are you bragging?" I ask. 

"Hm? Ah, no. I guess I sounded like it, huh. But no. I've put the actors and the crew to hell and I also had 100% creative freedom so it was that quick. If I had more budget, and that I've made it more relaxing for the cast and crew, it would have taken 9 months to make it. I may have even made it a better film had I not been strapped in time for Sorrento Film Festival." He clarified. 

Huh. How much better could that film even more be? I don't see it but I'll take his word for it. Still, I rolled my eyes at his explanation; he just unintentionally implied that he's a better director than what he already showed.

"Wow. You really sound like you're bragging." I joked.

"Hmm?" It took him a second to process. "Well then, maybe I am." He just answers with a chuckle.

Did he just accept it like that? How boring. I was expecting more banter like he did with Aiden.

"How about my grandpa's film? How's it coming along?" I asked just to get the conversation going.

"Oh. I was just done with the script." He replied. Wow. I didn't expect that.

"Huh. I thought you said a script would take months to finish?" I asked.

"True. But I'm basing it on a true story, your grandpa's, so I didn't have to write a story from scratch. It's been two months since Don Gonzalo accepted my request and I've been busy since then." Tayaw said. I want him to clarify more but we've already arrived in Woodhaven. 

"Anyway, I hope that I can finish the film before your grandpa's 93rd birthday. In fact, I already have a friend who's looking for good actors." Tayaw said as he parked the car in front of the last place I assumed he would bring me to during a date.

The car already stopped, but I didn't remove my seatbelt just yet, just to be sure we're in the right place. Seeing how Tayaw looked at the place, I guess we're really starting our night here.

A gun range. "Well. Unusual, but intriguing." I said as I looked at the gun range's front.

"Yeah. Hey. We both know that we're just doing this for Don Gonzalo but that doesn't mean we can't have fun, no?" Tayaw said as he got out of the car.

Hm. True. But a shooting range of all places. Thank God I wore flat shoes if we're going shooting.

After opening passenger door for me, "And, I didn't know what you would enjoy, so I thought, 'why don't I arrange something so out of the left field, you wouldn't know what to think'? Your confusion would least reduce the chances for disappointment." He continued.

"That… is honestly, quite a good approach." I nodded at the ingenuity of it.

After I got out of the car and him locking the doors, he then offered his arm to me, which I took, and we made our way inside the gun range. 

As we arrived at the counter, "Hey Bryan!" I greet the manager-slash-cashier of the gun range.

"Hey ~ … Miss Sabattini. You look… heh. I almost didn't recognize you." Huh. That's how a man should react to me right now, not Tayaw's lack of acknowledgement. 

"You brought a date?" Bryan asked, his eyes studied Tayaw.

"Nope. My date brought me here." I replied. 

"Wait? You two know each other?" Tayaw asked, surprise apparent in his voice. At least I know now that he can at least be surprised. It has been annoying that he always looks calm and collected. 

"You just happened to choose a Coniglio hangout." I said, and enjoyed the realization in Tayaw's face.

"Wow. Coniglio really owns a LOT of fun places in New York, huh." Tayaw chuckled.

"Yep. Let me handle it from here." I said to him. "Let a girl show you how to handle a gun."