Chapter 71 No Morals

Chapter 71 No Morals
(Hey, everyone, previous chapters are probably showing up as Carter for Jasmine friends, but I have changed it. It is why it is Noah in this chapter. The others are under review. I realised there is already a Carter being mentioned, so changed it.)

Cody

Groaning, I place my phone on the table and run my fingers through my hair. I wanted to talk with Jasmine longer, but as she pointed out, it would have been rude. I don't mind her spending time with Noah. It's not like I don’t trust her. Maybe I’m a little jealous, but not enough to be angry. Jasmine can be friends with whoever she wants, regardless of their gender. I have nothing to worry about and no right to control who she spends her time with. Still, I hate that he can be with her, and I can’t. 

I want her back here painfully, and part of me selfishly wants to tell her to come back, but I won’t. Her family matters more. Lately, I’ve been struggling more than I expected without Jasmine. My nights are lonely, and I don’t sleep well. Additionally, Silver has taken advantage of Jasmine's absence. A few nights ago, she showed up at my apartment at midnight, trying to seduce me while only wearing underwear under her coat. It didn’t work, and she should be ashamed, but she isn’t. She’s reckless and doesn’t seem to understand boundaries or right from wrong. I haven’t told Jasmine any of this, nor have our friends or roommates, because she doesn’t need that extra stress now. I hate hiding it, but I believe it’s for the best. Once things improve, maybe I can tell her. 

“Everything okay?” Toby asks as he approaches my desk. 

“No, not really. I miss Jasmine.” I sigh. 

“You know, this could be a good moment for you to explore other options, and she might not even realize. I bet Silver would gladly be your first choice," he says with a smirk. 

I question why I am friends with him; he is a jerk with no morals. 

“It wouldn’t matter if Jasmine were gone for six months; I still wouldn’t." I snap. "Why don’t you go screw Silver, and the two of you leave me alone? What’s so hard to believe that not everyone lies and cheats?" 

Lately, he's been getting on my last nerve. His efforts to encourage things with Silver aren't helping the situation on her end. 

“Everyone lies and cheats. You are still only young. Being in a serious relationship at this age is shameful. You are letting your fellow men down. You should be screwing around. What Jasmine doesn’t know can’t hurt her.” 

He really is a piece of shit! He reminds me of myself before I started dating Jasmine, even though he's older than I am. 

I clutch my desk and tighten my jaw. "Toby, seriously, back off. You clearly don’t understand what you’re talking about and show no respect for anyone. If anyone is disappointing others, it’s definitely you. Now, leave me alone. I’m not in the mood for your misguided morals.” 

I stood and walked away before I pounced over my desk and punched him. I need to stay away from him and Silver. They are as bad as one another. They would be the perfect match. It would make her leave me the hell alone. 

I head to the break room for a coffee and notice Sasha sitting alone. 

“Hey, I thought you had gone out for lunch?” I ask. 

“Hey, I am heading out soon. Are you okay? You seem stressed?” 

“Toby and Silver are really testing my patience. I had to step away before I lost my temper.”

She rolls her eyes. “Is he still trying to persuade you to keep your options open while Jasmine is gone?”

“Yes.”

Sasha, along with Carter, is one of the few other decent people my age working here. 

“He needs to grow up. Silver needs to back off. She told me what happened the other night.” 

I sigh and shake my head. “It’s getting out of hand. Have they always been like this?” 

Sasha has known them longer than I have. 

“Sadly, yes. Do you want to come with me for lunch? Get out of here before you punch Toby and end up fired? You can talk to me about what is going on and talk to me about Jasmine because I know you are missing her.” 

“Sure. I would appreciate that. Lunch is one me.” 

I really like Sasha, in a friendly way, of course. We get on well. We head out, avoiding anyone else, and cross the road for lunch. Finding a table, we take a seat and wait for someone to take our order. 

“How are you dealing with Jasmine being gone?” 

“Not so good. I miss her. I wish she would come back already, but she needs to be there for her family. I hate that I have to work this weekend and can’t see her.” 

Everyone is required to work a Saturday once a month, and this Saturday is my turn. 

“If it weren’t for my grandma’s birthday, I would have swapped with you.” 

“I know. I appreciate that, but I need to take my turn. Do you have any idea how I can get Silver to back off?” 

“Sadly, no. She has a mind of her own. She always does as she pleases, without a care in the world. I am sure she will get bored soon enough when she realises she isn’t getting what she wants.” 

“Hopefully, sooner rather than later, because I can’t deal with it much longer.” 

“Sorry, she has chosen you as her new target. Previously, it was another guy from our team, an older, married man with two kids. It became overwhelming for him, and he was transferred. She should have been fired, but she won’t be because her uncle owns a stake in the company. Just keep refusing her, and she will eventually back off.”

“If roles were reversed, I would already have been fired. The person who transferred would be dismissed." 

“It's likely, but proceed cautiously. Clearly, assert your position and share your thoughts, but watch out so she doesn’t manipulate the situation to get you fired for not complying with her demands. Don’t let her succeed, Cody. Someone needs to set her straight. “

I am not surprised she has done something like this before. I refuse to quit because of her. I am not giving her what she wants. I need to stay strong and hope she will get the hint on her own. 

“I will try my best.” I smile. 

The conversation ends there because someone comes to take her order. It will be nice to be able to talk to someone who isn’t trying to hit on me or encourage me to cheat. I don’t need to worry about any of that with Sasha.