I FOUND WHERE TO STAY IN THIS UNKNOWN CITY

The owner of the small restaurant continued chatting with the two women and said to Amaranta's grandmother: - "Madam, your granddaughter is very pretty. She will definitely become a movie star. When that happens, you can expect to live well, too." .

Amaranta and her grandmother spent some time chatting with the owner. When his wife, a nice and friendly person, discovered that Amaranta and his grandmother had traveled to the capital city on a long bus ride, she recommended an inn to them.

"Young lady, go to the bookstore on the next street and look for the owner, Madame Sáenz. If you are not fussy, you and your grandmother can resist and sleep in the attic above the bookstore for tonight. If you pass the first interview, You'll figure something out for the second interview, the main thing is tonight… "They said thank you and left that place in search of said bookstore.

Amaranta's cheeks stung a little when the wind blew against his face. The cold of winter was still felt in the capital, despite being a few days away from spring.

With her luggage bag in one hand and his grandmother's hand in the other, Amaranta noticed that the landscape in the capital was impressively radiant.

She and her grandmother were now part of the big city crowd.

"We are here!"

Amaranta and her grandmother stood in front of the entrance to the bookstore. The store seemed a little run-down. The steps to her front door were adorned with many flower pots of different sizes and were filled with purple and red flowers in full bloom that danced softly, to the rhythm of the wind.

 "Excuse me, is Madame Sáenz here, please?"

Walking to the front of the bookstore, Amaranta opened the wooden door, causing the wind chime behind her to ring clearly and melodiously.

When Amaranta and her grandmother entered the bookstore, she felt as if they had entered another world.

The four walls of the bookstore were full of books, old records and some antiques. On the sofa that was found in the center of the room, a woman wearing a beautiful abaya caftan with rhinestones at the waist and along the sides, was taking a nap under a Tiffany-style lamp.

She seemed to have been awakened by the sound of the wind chime, because she raised her head, a little surprised, and looked towards the entrance of the bookstore. She noticed that Amaranta and her grandmother were standing there.

"Can I help you with something?" asked that beautiful woman.

"Hello, you are Madame Sáenz. We have been sent here by the owner of the food shop on the street in front. May I ask if you would let my grandmother and me stay here for the night…"?

Even as she spoke, Amaranta felt that she was being too presumptuous.

If she were alone, she could have sufficed anywhere overnight, but her grandmother couldn't stand it!

 "Are you here for exams at the Film Academy?"

Madame Sáenz stood up. She seemed to be in excellent physical shape. Dressed in an abaya caftan made of gambier silk, which accentuated her elegance and grace, she simply oozed charm.

"Yes, we arrived a little late, and the owner informed us that all the surrounding hotels are full."

"I take it you traveled here by bus? Why don't you settle this old lady down first and let her get some sleep?"

At Madame Sáenz's words, Amaranta relaxed, feeling relieved.

With the help of Madame Sáenz, she gave her grandmother a bath and took her upstairs to the attic, where she coaxed her to sleep. — "Grandma, go ahead and sleep. I'm going to have a word with Madame Sáenz. Afterward, I'll join you here."

Once Amaranta showered, she came downstairs wearing a cotton dress with floral motifs. Although the dress was a few years old and therefore dated in style, it did not have an adverse effect on Amaranta Cid's beauty. In fact, her simpler outfit best accentuated her natural, flawless beauty.

"Young lady, what is your name? From your accent, I assume you are from the southwest region."

Madame Sáenz handed her over to where she found Amaranta standing with a cup of coffee, served in an exquisitely designed coffee cup. — "My name is Amaranta Cid, and I am from the city of Deifont. This is my national residence card."

Amaranta handed over her national residence card. Amaranta and her grandmother not only brought her national residence card and grandmother's identity card for this trip, they also brought her family registration book.

"Young lady, judging by the clothes and general appearance of both you and her grandmother, you do not seem to be a rich person. Do you know about the expenses involved in studying there?"

Madame Saenz was being brutally honest. To an outsider, perhaps Amaranta and her grandmother looked like typical earthy, honest country people.

Go through the process

Qualifying for acceptance into the Capital Film Academy would be a very challenging task.

Furthermore, once accepted, the resulting costs included extremely high.

"Mrs. Sáenz, my main goal is to gain acceptance into Capital City's Main University. If I am accepted, the city, county, and city offices will give me scholarships to help with expenses. In reality, the true purpose of "Coming here for interviews with the Film Academy is because I want to send my grandmother to the First Hospital for a medical check-up."

Amaranta somehow did not need to hold back with Madame Sáenz and was very frank and open with her, in the same way that Madame was with Amaranta.

Or perhaps it was the cultured and academic atmosphere in the bookstore that Amaranta reduced her inhibitions for the first time since her rebirth.

"I have lived with my grandmother since I was very young. We only have each other. My grandmother recently collapsed, and I am concerned about the effectiveness of the medical facilities and their conditions where we live. That is why I am taking this opportunity to bring my grandmother here for a more complete medical checkup. Mrs. Sáenz, don't worry. My grandmother and I are not bad people…"

At Amaranta's response, Madame Sáenz's eyes shone.

Slowly, she stood up. As she looked tenderly at Amaranta, her eyes radiated tranquility, like gently flowing spring water.

"Amaranta, you should get some rest. You need to get up early tomorrow for your interview. Go to sleep, I wish you success."

Madame Sáenz smiled sincerely as she spoke.

Sometimes interpersonal relationships are cultivated from a mutual liking for each other.

Perhaps it was Amaranta's love for her grandmother that impressed Madame Sáenz, something not easily seen these days, convincing her of her good character, who didn't seem to mind letting Amaranta stay in her bookstore, giving her full access. To your store.

"Mrs. Sáenz, since I won't be able to bring my grandmother for the interview tomorrow, could she wait for me at the store, please?"

"Of course she can. Now, good night, Amaranta Cid."

With that said, Madame Sáenz proceeded to leave her store without a second thought, leaving her in the hands of Amaranta.

She opened the door and disappeared into the quiet night.

Amaranta went up to the attic. Her grandmother, who had not yet fallen asleep, opened her eyes when she heard her granddaughter enter.

"Amaranta, what did the owner of the store say?"

"She agreed to let us stay here temporarily. Grandma, I have to go to the academy tomorrow for my interview. Just stay here and wait for me while I leave. If I pass the first interview, we will go further to find accommodation!"

The grandmother looked at Amaranta's face, which radiated beauty like a rose in full bloom, and suddenly felt deep in her heart that Amaranta had the look of an older woman, she had aged, maybe it was just her imagination. She.

During the trip here, she clearly saw that Amaranta had become a very responsible person, a woman no longer an irresponsible girl, she was now organized and reliable.

She wondered if perhaps it was because she had had to earn a living for both of them, and she had not had time to give Amaranta the attention she needed, which had caused her to grow up prematurely.

"Grandma, get some sleep!"

As it was her first night in an unfamiliar environment, neither Amaranta nor her grandmother could sleep soundly.