After weeks of searching, you finally find the perfect place to open your business. The shop sits in one of the busiest parts of town, bringing in constant foot traffic throughout the day. It's also in a central location, making it easy to travel to from almost anywhere without spending much on transport. Just a few blocks away is a market where you can quickly buy supplies and restock whenever you run low. For anyone starting a business, it's the ideal location.

Certain you've found the perfect spot, you pay the landlord a deposit.

The following day, he returns your money.

"I'm sorry," he says. "Someone else offered a larger deposit and better rental terms."

Refusing to give up, you come back with a better offer. This time, the landlord accepts.

Then it happens again.

For an entire week, you and an unknown rival keep outbidding each other. Every time one of you secures the shop, the other returns with an even better offer. The landlord refunds the previous deposit and accepts the new one, growing more frustrated with each passing day.

Finally, he calls both of you to meet at the shop.

That's when you meet the person who's been competing with you all week.

Jake.

The moment either of you tries to make another offer, the landlord raises his hands.

"Enough! I'm done playing referee. No more deposits. No more bidding wars. You two can figure this out yourselves. Come back when one of you has given up... or when you've reached some kind of agreement."

The landlord leaves, locking the office behind him and leaving the two of you alone in the empty shop.

Silence hangs in the air for a moment.

Jake looks you up and down before a faint smirk tugs at the corner of his lips.

"So... you're my challenger."