"Thanks to my therapist, I started feeling better with or without your presence. Slowly I got out of your incident. I am working on my life. Yet I felt uncomfortable with your presence," this was his first time hearing the journey of her recovery from her mouth. The fact her saying she was recovering made him happy yet guilty of his actions.
"I asked my therapist why it was happening to me or why I am feeling that way. She replied, that your incident might still haunt me. Indeed, it did," she said. Oscar was sure now that she would never forgive him anymore in his life. If today, she asks him to leave and does not want to show his face, he would do it. It's time for him to leave her alone. There were many times, he wanted to leave her alone, but… he kept on telling himself that he needs her apology. Now, he felt he was not worth it.
"Days passed, and I felt nothing towards you anymore. I am moving on. My life feels so right, right now," this was something good Oscar have heard in a while.
"Today, I decided to work on starting a business of publishing house too. I want to work on it. It is all good and positive until I saw you," she said with a smile. There was hope and determination in her eyes as she said those words.
This was the best version of Luciana he saw from before. Luciana was noticing his every reaction as she said things. Even though his face was bit darkened, she knew he was feeling guilty.
"When I saw you, I realized that I am too into my life that I ignored yours," she said getting to the point.
Oscar looked at her. Looking into her eyes was something he didn't do in the past three months. He looked everywhere but her eyes. They reminded her pained expressions, her helpless situation, and many things. Her eyes were the biggest shreds of evidence of his animal acts.
"I no longer hate you or feel things for you. I am blank. You are nothing but a wound that hurt me. And now… you are a scar. It will take the time or some medicine to heal that scar. That medicine would be my career," she said. A satisfied smile appeared on Oscar's face which was faint but she still noticed it. She knew he was happy for her as she started healing herself.
"I want you to get on with your life too. I am the victim from the start while you are also a kind of victim from later. I forgave you. Just be happy. Don't think about this. In the future, if we ever have the fate to collaborate with each other, I will do it. Because we will be back to square one which is being strangers.
"Rather having bitter feelings with each other, starting from zero is better, right?" Luciana said.
Oscar's eyes widened in surprise. This time he looked into her eyes. Her eyes were saying she was saying the truth. A gentle smile was present on her lips.
"Yes," he managed to say it.
"I hope you will do well with your life since I have forgiven you," she said.
"Thank you. And sorry," he said.
"It's okay. I am out of that phase," she said.
"I started an organization for rape victims. I provide them with the facilities that can help them to get on their careers and life. You are the first victim and the person who taught me something meaningful in my life.
"I know you won't or can't accept me. But there is one thing I want to do for you," he said.