Rivals

Rivals by OlympusMons90

Chapter 1

It's a fresh autumn morning in Oxford, England, as the new students assemble to begin their 'Freshers' week at the prestigious Oxford University. Many of them are the fresh-faced kids of wealthy parents, most of whom attended these halls when they were younger as well.

Peter Granthorpe is one of those, with both his father and his grandfather attending Oxford University before him, graduating with business degrees and now running successful businesses themselves. Peter is here to study Economics and Management, to get the relevant knowledge to help kickstart his own business empire, with the help of his family, of course. The pressure on Peter to succeed and follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps feels daunting to him, but he's been raised all his life to meet this challenge, to be the successful leader of his own business one day.

David Shaw, or just 'Dave' to his friends, does not come from money like Peter. He's the first in his family to attend a university of this caliber, but very determined to forge his own path, to start his own business after he graduates. Dave is from North London, a diverse working-class area of the capital, and he's grateful that his grades have earned him this opportunity to study Economics and Management, a highly sought-after degree at Oxford University.

During 'Freshers' week, many of the students are trying to make new friends, new allies for their journey ahead. Peter already has an advantage here too, being best friends with Jeffrey Maybourne since they both attended the same exclusive private boys' school growing up. Together, they are studying business economics with a plan to join together, to be business partners in their endeavors once they graduate college.

Dave on the other hand, doesn't know anyone here at all, this is not the world in which he grew up in. He does meet Mason Johns during the "freshers' induction week however, a fellow student who loves sport almost as much as Dave does. While they both have a strong love for football, with Dave supporting Tottenham while Mason supports Crystal Palace, it's their shared love of Rugby which now binds them together.

As freshmen, they've both registered for the rugby trial match to determine which team they will play for. Oxford University has three men's teams, with the Blues being the top team that is extremely difficult for a freshman to get into. Instead, they're both aiming for the men's second team, the Greyhounds, which is still hard to be selected for, but they are both hopeful.

Peter too is aiming high, wanting to emulate his father who briefly played for the Blues in his final year at Oxford. Maybe Peter can make the top side by his final year as well, but right now he's aiming for the men's second fifteen, the Greyhounds. But the trial match is not for a few days, until then both Peter and Dave try to settle into the routine that is university campus life, going to classes, meeting new people, trying to figure out their place in this world.

During one of their first economics classes, Dave and Peter interact for the first time, with Dave answering one of their professor's questions, only to be rebutted by Peter, who's keen to show the professor that he'll be one of his better students this term. Dave is a little annoyed with the toff that tried to discredit him, some rich kid with a posh accent pretending to know what he's talking about. Instantly Dave has a disdain for this guy's aloofness. While Peter on the other hand, enjoyed 'correcting' the other student, one that sounds like he shouldn't be here in the first place.

After class, and as the students make their way out of the lecture hall, Peter and Dave happen to walk out of the hall side-by-side.

"You were wrong, you know. The Professor should've called you on it when you tried to butt in." Dave says to Peter.

"And you shouldn't have opened your mouth to begin with. We can all hear your accent, which lets us all know that you shouldn't be here. I'm sure that there's a free public college out there somewhere that's more suitable for your standards." Peter fires back, he's not going to be spoken to like that by some pleb.

"Wow, what a fuckin entitled little toff you are. And you clearly aren't as smart as you think you are either. You're here on Daddy's coin I bet, to continue on the family tradition or some bollocks. I'm here because I know my shit, and the next time you try to correct me in there, I'll make you look like the fool that you truly are." Dave answers before turning and walking away.

Peter is furious, that this thuggish-looking commoner from north London would dare challenge him like that in these halls. Insinuating that he's only here because his family has wealth, and that he'll make him look foolish next time. Well, that's not going to happen. In fact, Peter will make it his mission over their first term to put this guy in his place, his rightful place.

Their next meeting is during the try-outs for the men's rugby team, a trial match for freshmen where the coaches judge the skill levels of the players, determining which of the three men's teams they each should be selected for. Only those freshman students that are primarily here to play rugby professionally will ever be selected to join the men's first team, an extremely high bar to meet.

Both Dave and his new friend Mason are hoping to make the men's second team, which is also where Peter and his best friend Jeffrey want to be selected too. Dave wants to earn one of the flanker positions, while Mason is aiming to be in the second row as he's a bit taller than Dave. As for Peter and Jeffrey, Peter too is aiming for a flanker role, while Jeffrey wants to be the scrum-half.

Dave and Mason are both in the same team for the trial match, with Peter and Jeffrey in the other. During the match, Dave and Peter come into contact many times, in fact they go seeking each other out on purpose. So far, Dave has made the bigger impact, both on the game and on Peter. When Dave lands another big hit on Peter as he's breaking free from the maul, crunching him to the ground and causing a turnover, Peter is left feeling a little groggy as he slowly gets to his feet after the play has moved on. He knows it was Dave that hit him, he also knows that Dave is getting the better of him in the match too, something he can't stand for.

A few plays later, Dave is contesting the ball, he's low to the ground as the maul twists, Peter sensing his opportunity to stomp on Dave during the breakdown. He tags him hard on the shoulder, dragging his studded boot across Dave's back before moving back a little to avoid the ref calling him out. He looks back at Dave as he slowly gets to his feet, his jersey ripped, blood over his shoulder. Peter smiles over at him through his mouthpiece, letting Dave know that payback was his.

Peter does his best to avoid Dave after that, knowing that Dave will want to get even for his underhanded tactic. But in doing so, he also plays less of a role in his team's performance. As the full-time whistle sounds, Dave and Mason's team have easily come out on top. And surely their team will now have the most students making it into the University's second team.

Peter's concerns come true; however, he does still make the squad also, along with his best friend Jeffrey. Both Dave and Mason are selected in the second team's first fifteen though, Peter will have to settle for being the understudy to Dave, something that irks him greatly, but Dave is extremely happy for.

If Dave can play well in their upcoming games, he can greatly limit any opportunities that Peter will have for minutes in each match they play. And Dave will be doing his best to make sure that he doesn't get substituted, just to keep Peter permanently on the sidelines.

In this burgeoning rivalry, while Peter fired the first shots, it's Dave who has taken the early points.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As their first term continues on, Peter and Dave do come across each other almost every day as they share many of the same classes. They keep to themselves mostly, except for the occasional little dig here and there from the both of them. Dave and Mason are quickly becoming good friends, something that Dave is thankful for on this campus. Everyone has their own groups here, the east Asian kids hang with other east Asian kids, same with the south Asians too. The Toffs, which make up a good portion of the student body, also have their little groups too, but there aren't enough people like Dave to even have their own little sub-group on campus. So having Mason here with him is a godsend.

For Peter and Jeffrey, campus life is exactly what they thought it would be, just another version of the rich and exclusive private boys' schools they grew up with, but at least now, there are women here too. And one of those women has caught Peter's eye. Her name is Gabrielle, or 'Gabby' as her friends call her. Like Peter, she comes from good stock, her family and Peter's family already know each other, with both business and social ties. But that aside, she's also attractive and well-educated, probably here at Oxford to find a good husband, a good husband just like Peter.

That may seem old-fashioned, but in high society, it's often still the way that relationships and marriages are done.

And while Peter has been doing quite well with Gabby, asking her out on a few dates already, it's his lack of minutes playing for the rugby team that annoys him the most. Especially as how it's the uncouth Dave Shaw that is keeping him from playing. And Dave has been playing well, being awarded with two man-of-the-match performances so far, rarely coming off the field for Peter to be able to show what he can do.

But it's during their varsity match against Cambridge that Dave suffers a slight hamstring tear, forcing him off injured, and will sideline him for a number of weeks at least. This is the time for Peter to shine, to take Dave's position in the team permanently. And while Peter is doing fine over the next few games, they're hardly the best player on the ground performances that Dave was able to muster previously, but it's a start.

Dave is in week four of his eight-week recovery period, although he's been doing some light jogging already. But now that it's a Friday night, and there are several parties happening in and around campus, Dave and Mason decide to kick back and enjoy themselves a little. A few drinks, some good music, and maybe they'll meet a pretty girl too.

"Hey Dave, check out the three girls over near the kitchen area. If you had to, which ones would you fuck, marry and kill?" Mason asks of his new best friend.

"Seriously? We're playing that game already? I'm not drunk enough for that shit yet." Dave responds with a chuckle.

"Come on, just go with it. Fuck, marry or kill."

"Alright, the blonde looks kinda cute, she'd be the one that I'd marry, I guess. The dark-haired girl I'd kill, she has some blue tinge in her hair and a bullring through her nose for fucks sake." Dave responds with a chuckle.

"So, it's the one with light brown hair that you'd want to fuck then?"

"Yeah, that and she's the chick that Peter had been going out with lately." Dave laughs even more.

"Peter Granthorpe, from our rugby team?"

"Yeah, that toffy-assed wanker."

"You really don't like him much. Do you?"

"Nope. Ever since I got here, he's been telling me that I don't belong, that I'm not some pampered little prick like him."

"Well, most students here are pampered little pricks. What makes him so special?" Mason asks further.

"Because he flaunts that shit and tries to make anyone not like him feel less than him, that's why."

"But you took his spot on the rugby team which must piss him off, although he's got it now thanks to your dodgy hammy."

"Yeah, but not for long. I'll enjoy taking it back from him very soon."

"Well, there's something else you can take from him right now. He's not here tonight, and she looks like she'd be up for some action. Why don't you follow through and take a crack at her. Who knows, maybe you can take both his spot on the team and his girlfriend at the same time."

"Nah, I don't want to date her, she's not my type, she's probably way too much like him."

"Then don't date her, just fuck her like you chose in our little game."

"Yeah, maybe I can do that. Can you imagine how fucking cucked Peter will be when I take my position back from him after nailing his prissy little girlfriend?"

"He'd never live that shit down, not with the guys around here anyway. We could start calling him Peter the Cuck to rub that shit in." Mason chuckles in response.

And Mason isn't wrong, with the level of teasing and mockery that exists between students here on campus being widely renowned. It underlies the serious competitive nature of everyone here, trying to establish themselves in the pecking order. Picking on someone to promote yourself up that pecking order is commonplace, better to do the bullying than to be bullied. Peter himself does this, it's what he's been trying to do with Dave ever since they first met. Right now though, he's unaware of the circumstances that are unfolding that may lead to him being the butt of everyone else's jokes, and he's not even present to witness it happening.

Dave and Mason both wander over to where the three girls are standing, introducing themselves. Mason is getting along well with the little blonde named Josie, while also keeping Dianna the brunette with the bullring occupied with questions as well. He's being the perfect wingman right now, clearing the path for Dave to work his magic on Gabby, the girl that has been going on dates with Peter recently.

"So Gabby, have you figured out your major yet?"

"Not yet, I'm still deciding between a few things. I have to make my mind up shortly though; I don't want to miss out by waiting too long. How about you Dave? Or are you planning on making Rugby your career?"

"How did you know I play rugby? Have you been at our games?"

"Yes, I've been to a few. You always look pretty good out there."

"Thanks, but if you think that I look good out on the field, why exactly have you been going out on dates with my crappy backup?"

"Because he asked me, and you didn't."

"Well, what if I ask you now? Would you be interested in having a bit of fun with me instead?"

"That depends on what you're calling fun. I'm not one of those girls, Dave. The type that you can have your way with after just a few drinks."

"No, I'd never." Dave replies with a broad cheeky smile, letting her know that he'd very much like to have his way with her right now.

"Besides, it's early. Let's have some more drinks first before we worry about how much fun we're going to have together." Dave adds, giving her his best charming smile.

They both stay and chat while having a few more drinks. Mason is doing quite well with Josie, not so much Dianna, but that's okay. Dave feels that he's doing very well with Gabby also, that maybe she'll be up for a bit of fun tonight if he plays his cards just right.

As the drinks flow and the music continues to pump out loudly, Dave decides it's time to push the boat out a little with Gabby, to see how far she'll let him go tonight.

"Gabby, just why have you been going out with such a little dick like Peter?"

"Let's not talk about him, Dave. We're having fun, don't ruin it for me please."

"It's just, I don't get it. You seem like a very nice girl, you're attractive with a good head on your shoulders. Why even go out on dates with a guy like Peter in the first place? And don't say it's because he asked you. Plenty of guys here have asked you out, I'm sure."

"He's not that bad when you get to know him, Dave. He might seem very arrogant sometimes, but he's very confident in himself too, which can be attractive in its own way."

"Confident? 'Entitled' would be a better word for it."

"Well, whatever you call it, he's got plenty of it."

"But be honest with me, is he simply the kind of guy that you're dating to meet the expectations of your wealthy parents, or are you dating him hoping for some terrific mind-blowing sex?" Dave chuckles a little.

"Well, my parents would probably say that he is the right kind of guy for me to marry. His family is wealthy; he's decently good looking too. As for the sex, I wouldn't know about that, we haven't gotten that far yet."

"Seriously? You've been out with him a number of times already. Is he really that pathetic that you don't even want to fuck him?"

"No, not at all. Him being pathetic, I mean. Just because he isn't pressuring me to have sex with him yet, doesn't make him pathetic, Dave. Not every guy here always thinks with their dick." Gabby replies, trying to defend Peter.

"I'm just saying, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from fucking you if we were going out like that. In fact. I already want to fuck you senseless right now, and we haven't been out on a single date yet. If it were up to me, we'd be sneaking off together into one of the bedrooms shortly, having way more fun than just standing around out here." Dave again gives his best cheeky smile to Gabby.

"Really? Right here at this party with everyone watching?" Gabby asks, her face blushing a little.

"Yeah, of course. What are you afraid of, that you might enjoy it too much?" Dave challenges Gabby again.

"No, that everyone might see us leaving together towards the bedroom."

"Nah, everyone's too involved with what they're doing already, who they're chatting with. We could walk off right now, and no-one would even notice."

"Josie and Dianna would. They'll see me leave with you, they'll know."

"And? I thought they're your friends? Surely they can keep this shit to themselves. We guys do that all the time."

"Yes, I guess they wouldn't tell anybody, not Peter anyway I hope."

"So, what's stopping us? Let's go have some fun, let's be a little wild for a change."

Gabby looks up into Dave's eyes, she's tried hard to be the good girl all her life, always holding back her true thoughts, her sensuality too. But with more than a few drinks tonight, with the sexy music pumping loudly, and this rough yet handsome looking man standing in front of her, wanting to fuck her, for once she wants to give in to those carnal pleasures. To throw caution at the wind, and to just enjoy herself. And that's what she does, taking Dave by the hand before leading him off into one of the spare bedrooms, closing the door behind them.

When Dave finally leaves the bedroom an hour later, he's pleased with himself. Not only did he just enjoy some good sex with Gabby, an attractive young woman that most guys on campus would love to fuck, but he's also deflowered the girl that Peter wants the most. Getting to fuck her even before Peter has.

And even though Peter doesn't know it yet, he's just been cucked by the guy he despises the most. They guy that despises him back just as much.

If they are keeping score, it's now two-zip to Dave.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's now Monday morning, as Dave sits out on a bench waiting for Mason to show up, before they'll both head off for their first lecture of the day. He's on his phone, checking the latest football results from the weekend when he gets hit suddenly from behind.

Dave covers himself as he lunges forward towards the ground, looking back to see who has struck him. It's Peter, and he looks pissed beyond words. Dave is a little stunned and shocked as he tries to defend himself for the next series of punches, and Peter doesn't hold back, reigning punches down on the ill-prepared Dave. He is still standing, he's taken a few shots, but now it's now Dave's turn to fight back, to test Peter's chin.

Both young men are now going at it, with a small crowd quickly gathering around them, to watch them fight. They both land some good shots on one another, with Dave already looking a little worse off after the initial exchanges. But now Peter has a bloody nose as well, and a cut opening above his left eye as the punches continue. Both men are now staggering, tired and a little exhausted from the energetic yet unfocussed exchanges.

It's now that one of the campus security guard's hurriedly steps in, breaking up the two men before any further damage can be done to one another. They're both bloodied, cut and bruised, both showing the marks left by the other.

No words were spoken between them, not even after they were separated and both went their separate ways to get cleaned up. But they both know exactly what this was about, it was about Dave taking what Peter thought was his, that of course being Gabby.

When Jeffrey catches up with Peter in the men's bathroom, he's surprised to see his friend all bloody and bruised with a bleeding cut above his eye.

"What the hell happened, Peter? They told me that you and Dave just got into one almighty fracas. I couldn't believe it but just look at you. I'm hoping that he looks as bad as you do right now."

"Yeah, don't worry, I got him with a few good shots of my own. I hope that prick is feeling it right now."

"And why exactly? What caused all this?"

"He slept with Gabby on Friday night. That asshole knew we were dating and wanted to fuck her anyway. I can't believe she'd lower herself with a fucking commoner like him."

"Seriously? Gabby fucked Dave? How do you even know that?"

"Her friend Dianna told me. I think she's now hoping I'll ask her out instead."

"And can you trust her? Are you sure she's not making this shit up just so that you'll go out with her instead of Gabby?"

"I doubt it. There would've been other people at the party that would've seen them together. Dianna wouldn't lie about that, it's too easy to check if she's telling the truth or not."

"Okay. Who started this fight, I'm assuming you did after what you just told me."

"Yeah, I walked up and slammed him right from the start. He deserved it too."

"Peter, this could go on your record, you could face disciplinary charges over this. Not to mention if he goes to the police wanting to charge you with assault."

"He won't do that. He knew what he was doing on Friday night, he knew what sort of reaction he would get from me too. He won't care about the police, he just wanted to get one over on me, that's all."

"But why? What's your beef with this guy anyway?"

"Jeffrey, he doesn't belong here, scum like that belong wherever the fuck scum like him belongs, but not here, not at Oxford. This is our place, for our families, for our futures, not for trash like him. And then he dared to challenge me, to make this personal. Well, I'm going to make this really fucking personal now. I'm going to make him wish that he never crossed me, that he should've known his fucking place all along."

"Wow, you really are pissed with him. I guess I would be too if he had just banged my girlfriend."

"Gabby isn't my girlfriend, we're just dating. Were just dating, it's over now."

"Obviously. Alright, finish cleaning yourself up and I'll catch you at the next class, I need to get going already." Jeffrey responds before leaving Peter to make himself somewhat presentable before he'll no doubt have to talk with one of the faculty to explain what just happened.

For Dave, he didn't have to explain himself to Mason, as his friend already knew what happened on Friday night, and what would probably happen once Peter found out.

"So, tell me you at least fucked him up a bit too." Mason says to Dave as he too is in one of the men's bathrooms cleaning himself up after the fight.

"Yeah, once I got the chance. That dirty fucker hit me from behind, then hit me a few more times before I even knew what was happening. But I evened it up by the end."

"Good. All this over Gabby, I hope that fuck was worth it." Mason starts to chuckle.

"She was okay, but nothing to write home about. But it wasn't really about her anyway, it was about taking something from that rich pretentious asshole."

"Well, do you feel better now?" Mason asks, smiling at the still partly bleeding Dave.

"Yeah, I do. But even better when I take my spot back from him on the team, just like I took his girlfriend too." Dave replies, a hint of a smile escaping his bloodied mouth.

"He must fucking hate you by now if he didn't already."

"Feeling's mutual. But I'll always come out on top, he's never had to truly fight for anything in his entire pampered life. He doesn't know what he's getting into if he wants to keep this rivalry going."

"Remind me never to piss you off, Dave." Mason starts laughing.

"Don't worry, I'll only ever go all John Wick on his ass, he deserves it the most." Dave tries to smile back, but it hurts a little too much right now.

Dave didn't call Gabby back after their Friday night fun; he didn't see any point. She really isn't his type, his interest in her revolved around Peter's interest, in showing him up. Now that he's done that, he'll let her go her own way, with or without Peter.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dave did win his spot back on the team once his injury had fully healed, and the term 'Peter the cuck' was used around the dressing room on more than a few occasions after that as well. When Peter and Gabby started dating again almost a year later, it made that moniker even more apt. Peter somehow had found a way to forgive her for sleeping with Dave, although it still eats at him a little.

But Gabby's family and his have a lot in common, their parents are already friends and do business together, so Peter's mother spoke with him about letting her indiscretion go, that everyone makes at least one mistake when they are young. To let this be hers.

Peter agreed and although he could forgive her, he'd never forget what she did, more importantly who she did it with. Even if they eventually do marry and have their own family, that knife in his side will remain there forever.

By the time the two men graduated from Oxford University with their degrees, Dave had indeed made it onto the Oxford men's first team, The Blues, playing as one of their starting flankers throughout his final year. Peter made the bench for two games when Dave's flanker partner suffered a minor injury during the season, but he never did get any game time like his father did. At least he can say he played for the Blues while at Oxford, even though he never made it onto the field.

Dave also outshone Peter slightly in the classroom as well, his determination to succeed driving him forward throughout their time at Oxford. So as far as their academic and sporting achievements are concerned, Dave was again clearly the winner here.

Three to zip for Dave, if they're keeping score.

In his final year at college, Dave also met Kelly Marshall, who is two years younger than him. To Dave, she is everything he could ever want in a woman, being very attractive with a nice set of tits as well, but also smart, loving and witty too. She's also determined and altruistic, with her own path that she's forging, with or without Dave.

After graduating, Dave wants Kelly to be by his side, even though she's still in college for another year. Dave has moved back to North London, where he's raising what funds he can to start his business venture, one that he's been planning for years now. He travels up to Oxford on the weekends to be with Kelly, while doing his best during the week to get his new business off the ground.

Peter too is starting his own business venture, although he doesn't have to worry about raising the capital to start it like Dave has been doing. No, he has the backing of his family, with not just the investment money, but the business contacts that are always so important when starting out. Even Gabby's family are helping Peter too, as they are now engaged to be married as well. Unlike Dave, Peter's journey into the business world has been pre-ordained, with both his father and grandfather guiding and funding his inevitable success.

What is more interesting are the business plans that both rivals have chosen, that of introducing AI into the construction field. Both are employing developers to design computer software that will allow Engineers and Designers to far more rapidly generate their plans, right down to the minutest of detail, and to assist and modify plans throughout each construction phase.

This has been Dave's plan all along, as his father has worked in construction all his life as a construction planner, the offsider to the Engineers. When Dave worked with his father for a few weeks while still in high school, he couldn't believe the outdated computer programs that were  still being relied upon to help design and implement their construction plans, and how long it would take them to create the designs themselves. He knew there had to be a better way, a far more efficient way, and so his business idea was born.

Peter's plan was born on the back of Dave's; hearing his rival explain to their professor and the class when each student was asked what their business ideas were post-graduation. As Peter's grandfather owns two construction companies already, he saw it as a way to finally get one over on Dave, but more importantly, to impress his grandfather too.

The more Peter looked into Dave's idea, the more it made sense, and that there is definitely a big market for this if he can pull it off. But Dave will be a thorn in his side for sure, it's his idea after all. Peter will need to take care of whatever Dave gets off the ground, to destroy him as quickly as possible, to remove him and his plans from ever getting in his way.

As their first anniversary arrives since they all graduated from Oxford, it's Peter who looks likely to be the first to launch his software product, with heavy investment already coming in from both his family and from his fiancée Gabby's too. He already has a team of developers working hard to deliver the Beta release of their software, they're now far enough along to hopefully attract outside investors too.

Dave too is almost at the Beta release stage, but his limited funds have only allowed for a much smaller development team. He's had to be very selective about who he employs, also offering them a small share in the company as a reward for a profitable software product.

It's been stressful for Dave, working very long hours on a shoestring budget, fretting over every decision that could cost him down the track. He can't afford to make the wrong moves; it could end him before he really gets started.

Dave is meeting with Mason at one of his favorite bars near his office in North London, they have been catching up together at least once a month since both graduating a year ago now.

"Hey Dave, how's the software release coming along?"

"Slowly, but we're getting close. I'm hoping it will help to get some more investors on board too, the money's been tight." Dave responds to his friend.

"And have you heard about Peter Granthorpe, and what's he's been doing?" Mason asks further.

"Yeah, I just heard about it the other day. I can't believe that fucker is stealing my idea. He really is a pathetic fucking cuck that guy." Dave answers, a tinge of anger in his voice.

"And? Do you think what he's doing will get off the ground? He's probably got his rich family and their rich friends investing in him too. I'm betting that money isn't as tight for him right now."

"Yeah, no doubt. But he doesn't know anything about construction or software development. Whatever he releases won't come close to what we're doing. He's only really doing this to get back at me, I'm sure."

"And speaking of, I also heard that he's marrying Gabby in a few weeks' time as well. It has to be still eating at him that you fucked her before he did. That she wanted to sleep with you when they were already dating."

"I hope so. He deserves to be looking over his shoulder always wondering where his wife is, who's she's with. I doubt he'll ever fully trust her after that, I think he's only marrying her because it's good for both their families."

"And how is it with you and Kelly?"

"It's going great. She's graduating next week, then she'll be moving in with me at my apartment."

"And, no wedding bells on the horizon?"

"Maybe. I've bought her an engagement ring already which I'm hoping to give to her when we go out together after she's graduated."

"Really? It's getting that serious then?"

"Yeah, it is. And how about Joanne, or is it Leeanne, I can never keep up." Dave chuckles at his best friend.

"It's Leeanne, and yes, it's going well. We're also talking about moving in together soon, but I'm not about to do anything so drastic as to propose to her like what you're doing. I'm way too young and handsome to be tied down so early." Mason laughs along.

"Whatever. Come on, drink up, it's your round next."

Just across London, in a more affluent restaurant near Chelsea Gardens, Peter and Jeffrey are enjoying a meal together, along with sharing an expensive bottle of wine.

"How long until the big day?" Jeffrey asks.

"Next Wednesday is the Beta release day. They're just ironing out a few bugs right now, but it should be ready." Peter answers.

"Well, I can't say that I ever envisioned you being a software developer, that was not what I thought you'd be doing after college. I mean, the plan was for the two of us to do something together, but what I know about software development you could fit on a postage stamp." Jeffrey responds.

"You already know that I don't have a clue about software coding either. But sometimes a good idea just drops in your lap that you can't ignore."

"You mean Dave Shaw's idea. Do you know where he's at with his product by the way?"

"Not as far along as we are."

"And you know that how, exactly?"

"One of my developers is good friends with one of his, they went to college together. He's been updating me on where his friend says they're at, and even what design choices they've made too. Some of that has led to changes in our product as well, it's good to have an insider."

"And are you sure he won't sue you at some point, stealing his idea and then incorporating what they're doing into your product too?"

"No. In fact, because we're going to launch first, I've already got my lawyers lined up to hit Dave with a suit as soon as they're ready, for being in breach of our copyright."

"How can you do that? It's his idea that you're using, his updates you're stealing too. Surely that will never work."

"It doesn't have to. It just needs to put him on the backfoot, to have any of his potential investors too worried to give him their money. His developer also said that money is extremely tight for them, they're desperate for the investor cash just to keep going."

"So, you're going to sabotage him right from the start with a trumped-up lawsuit just to scare away investors. Smart move, he'll fucking hate you for that."

"Good, I hope he does. I told you I'd deal with him, that I'll teach him that he should never have crossed me to begin with. We're in the real world now, where the likes of him need to know their place."

"Well, on a brighter note, I've got everything arranged for your Buck's night, I hope you're ready for what's going to happen to you next weekend." Jeffrey grins, as the two men continue their meal.

Dave may have gotten the best of Peter while they were attending University, but out here in the real world, Peter has even more advantages handed to him which may make it impossible for Dave to compete. It's not a level playing field, and Peter will look to take full advantage of that fact.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2

"What's the latest? Did Tomlinson reject the offer?" Dave asks his lawyer, desperate for some good news.

"He did. We're in the clear, for now at least."

"Thank fuck for that. I wasn't sure if he'd back us or not." Dave reiterates.

The two men are discussing their company's major investor's decisions, whether or not to accept the generous share offer that Peter Granthorpe had put to them, to buyout their stock, and in essence, to buyout Dave's company from under him. This is the second time that Peter has tried to take Dave's company now, the first being just six months after their product release, which was only a few months after Peter himself launched a similar product.

Dave struggled for investment after being hit by a lawsuit from Peter just before his software product had even been launched, and although the lawsuit was dismissed shortly after, it had already done enough damage to greatly restrict the money coming in. This put Dave in a precarious position even after his product was successfully released into the market, with share prices not being what he was hoping for, not being able to raise the sort of capital he needed to go full steam ahead.

This left the door open for Peter's first takeover attempt, and now twelve months later, his second. Even though Dave has somehow escaped both attempts by Peter to take his company from him, he's not sure if he will be able to survive a third of fourth attempt down the road. And he's sure that there will be a third and fourth attempt, however many it will take for Peter to finally come out on top in their ongoing rivalry.

In the three years since both men graduated from Oxford, Peter Granthorpe has married Gabrielle, who is already pregnant with their first child. He also launched a successful company introducing AI software into the construction design field, the dream that belonged to Dave Shaw. He also tried every underhanded ploy he could use to undermine and to end Dave's successful software launch too, but somehow Dave was able to scramble just enough to get over the line.

Since then, Peter has used his family's wealth and business contacts for both investment and to consolidate his products' place in the construction field, undercutting Dave's offer at every turn. But Dave Shaw has been undeterred, his product is superior to what Peter is offering, even if Peter's has had the capital to market itself so much more.

In those three years, Dave has also married Kelly, although they are not planning on having a family just yet, with Kelly having started her own charity organization, which has been her dream for as long as she can remember. Dave has constantly been under pressure from his investors with Peter always lurking in the background, and with how busy Kelly has been in getting her charity foundation off the ground, it has already placed some stress on their new marriage. The amount of time they've been able to spend together has been limited, something that Dave hopes will soon be corrected now that Peter's latest takeover attempt has again been thwarted, even if it was a very close call.

While Dave certainly got the better of Peter in college, out here in the business world, the shoe has been on the other foot. Time and again Peter has been able to impede Dave, to make it so much harder for him to be successful. Giving him a lot of stress at work, which has also been impacting his life at home with his new wife too.

If they're still keeping score, Peter has evened up their tally, with both men still determined to come out on top of their very bitter rivalry.

But what path does Dave have to combat Peter and his family's wealth? All he can do right now is to ensure that his software product remains better than Peter's, that in the end it will come out on top once the industry can look past the aggressive marketing that Peter has been utilizing.

On a personal level, the two men no longer come into contact with each other, so the battle cannot be fought on that front. No, it's in the boardrooms and in the market that their personal rivalry is now being waged, both of which Peter holds a distinct advantage.

Peter is deeply annoyed that his latest attempt to take Dave's company from him has ultimately failed, but it has served to further undermine Dave with his own investors in the process, so not all is lost.

Peter is relaxing in a comfortable armchair in one of London's exclusive business clubs, where the business elite from all the wealthy families love to mingle and to chat with each other about their own successes. He's meeting Jeffrey Maybourne here this afternoon, his best friend from school and college. Peter is hoping that Jeffrey will finally accept his invitation to join with him as business partners in his ventures, to greatly increase his company's position, and to enable him to expand out from the construction software field.

"Hello Peter, how are you and Gabby doing? And how's the pregnancy coming along too?" Jeffrey offers after taking his seat next to Peter.

"She's doing fine. I'm hoping that she'll take to motherhood as well as she has to the social circles. That woman does love attending fancy galas and dinners." Peter chuckles.

"Don't they all. I think that's the only reason why Rebecca was dating me, so that she would be invited to those sorts of things."

"Sorry to hear that it didn't work out in the end. I'm sure you'll find someone suitable for you. But at least in the boardroom you've been more successful, how's your latest acquisition going? I heard you recently added to your small but growing portfolio of business interests." Peter asks further.

"Yes, it went well, a few hiccups along the way, but we got there in the end. I heard that your latest attempt to sink Dave Shaw failed though, are you going to finally give up on that, or are you still just as determined to put him in the ground?"

"I won't be finished with him until he's begging for me to stop. And even then, I probably won't." Peter answers coldly with a wry grin.

"You should just let it go, Peter. You've won; your company is doing way better than his. Even if he makes it out from your latest attempt to ruin him, he's no threat to you now whatsoever."

"It's not just about business, Jeffrey, you know that."

"Are you still bearing that grudge over him and Gabby? She's married to you, Peter. She's having your child as well. What more do you want?"

"I want payback for every time someone called me 'Peter the Cuck' at Oxford. Every time one of our teammates snickered at me, knowing that Dave fucked the woman I wanted to be with. For every time I was told how much better at Rugby he was than me, for every time that he got selected to play when I wasn't."

"That's a lot of payback then. Why are you letting this guy get to you so much? So what if he was a better rugby player, you're the better businessman. You're the guy that's living the life now while he's constantly struggling to stay afloat. Sooner or later, you need to let this go, for you own sake."

"Some day I will, not just yet though. But speaking of business, I'm hoping that you're here today to give me the good news; that you've finally accepted my offer to be my new business partner."

"Yes, I have. But if we do this, I want more of a controlling stake in the financials than what you're currently offering me. Your current offer leaves me with being little more than a silent partner, a glorified shareholder working for the illustrious Peter Granthoorpe. If we're going to be partners, let's be actual partners." Jeffrey counters.

"We can work that out, I'm sure. I want your business acumen, Jeffrey. I want you to help me grow this company into an empire, one that will make us both extremely wealthy, even more than we already are." Peter replies, raising his glass to his best friend.

Across London, Dave is hurriedly making his way to the bar where he's meeting with Mason Johns, his best friend from college and his best man when he married Kelly. He's running late for their meetup due to trying to put out the latest fire at work, one of a series that seems never-ending when the money is so tight.

"Hey, sorry I'm late. Work has been hectic as usual." Dave says to Mason as he takes his seat.

"No problem. How is everything since Peter's latest takeover? Will you still have a company to run?"

"Just. It's getting harder every time that asshole tries to ruin me. I really don't know if I'll survive his next attempt."

"Any way you two can bury the hatchet then? Maybe you can finally apologize for banging his wife." Mason chuckles.

"Hey, she wasn't his wife back then. Besides, I'll never go begging to that fucking asshole, never. I'd rather go under than to do that."

"Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that." Mason replies.

"Yeah, and how's Josie doing now that you two are happily engaged?"

"She's doing great. Although she's still friends with Gabby, so I've seen Peter out with his wife at a few functions we've attended together recently. Haven't spoken with him though, we keep our distance."

"I still can't believe that you've ended up with Josie after you've been acting the playboy for the last few years, that you're now going to marry the first girl you fell for back at Oxford." Dave chuckles with his best friend.

"Sometimes the first is the best."

"Do you remember how you met her? We were playing that stupid fuck, marry, kill game."

"Yeah, I remember. I also remember you picking my fiancée as the girl you'd marry, I hope you still don't feel that way any longer." Mason laughs as well.

"Nah, although she did look like the type of girl we would marry though, and I was right." Dave answers.

"And you were right about fucking Gabby too, although that has come back to bite you in the ass a little."

"Maybe, but it was worth it. Whatever happened to that other chick, the one with the stupid bullring through her nose?"

"Dianna? She's dating some DJ at the moment, Josie says she's strung out on drugs most of the time now, so she doesn't see her much anymore."

"Well, if she OD's, we'll be three for three with our stupid game, won't we?" Dave chuckles again.

"Yeah. Anyway, how's Kelly and her charity coming along? Is she still working all hours trying to get that thing going?"

"Pretty much. Neither of us have had any time for each other lately. It feels more like I have an absent roommate at the moment, not a wife."

"It will get better, I'm sure of it. It's always hard these early years, when you're both struggling to get your careers going properly."

"Yeah, I hope so too. All this work we've been doing for what? We barely see each other and when we do, we've been arguing about not having enough time together. It's been tough, but we still love each other, we'll be okay in the end."

Dave will soldier on, both with his business and with his marriage, his determination to make them both a success will ensure that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next twelve months, Dave is relieved that Peter has not attempted a third takeover of his company, being able to slowly start to build up his product within the industry. His marriage is not quite where he'd like it to be either, with Kelly still struggling to ensure her charity foundation is well supported and funded. She's been on a fundraising drive once again, and it's been taking all of her time; time away from Dave.

For Peter, his focus has shifted away from taking Dave's company from him over the last year, especially after Gabby had a miscarriage with their child. He's been trying hard not to blame her, but deep down he feels like they're being punished, for her cheating on him with Dave, and his never-ending need for revenge ever since. That somehow karma is allowing Dave to get his own back, even though Peter knows that's not the case.

Instead, Peter has buried himself in his work since Gabby miscarried, even more so than before. He's been working closely with Jeffrey, integrating his business portfolio into their new company structure, giving Jeffrey greater control within their partnership. Peter knows that Jeffrey will help him to make better business decisions, to not focus so much on ruining Dave Shaw, but to be far more successful overall.

And so far, their new partnership is already bearing fruit, allowing them to expand into other fields while still dominating in the construction design field. No doubt he and Gabby will try for another child when the time is right, and next time there won't be any issues, Peter is sure of it.

Dave has just arrived home from work at nearly 8pm, and Kelly is there to greet him for once. She's making them something to eat, as Dave quickly takes a shower before sitting down at their dining table with his wife and their meals.

"How was work today?" Kelly asks her husband.

"Busy as always, but we're getting there. We've been working hard on our second release; it's coming along well." Dave answers.

"Well, you've seemed to be a lot less stressed out lately." Kelly replies.

"And so have you. I take it your fundraising has been going well?"

"Yes, better than expected actually. We've had one big investor come on board recently; it's taken a lot of our financial stress away." Kelly answers.

"That's great. Maybe now we can both start to enjoy being together once again. Have some more time for one another." Dave answers.

"Yes, I hope so too. It's been tough, hasn't it? We've both been under so much pressure lately, with so many people relying on us to make our businesses a success. I know it's made it a little difficult between us too, but I'm hoping that's all behind us now." Kelly replies, while reaching across the table to take Dave's hand.

"Agreed. It's only going to get better from now on, I swear." Dave responds.

It has been tough for both Dave and Kelly, struggling through what they are now hoping is the worst of it. That all their struggles, all their long hours and stressful days are now finally beginning to pay dividends. That they can now start to enjoy being a married couple once more, with more time for each other that they've been desperately missing of late.

For Peter and Gabby, it's also been tough ever since she lost their child. Their relationship has taken a wrong turn, with Peter's obsession with his business now taking all of his time completely, to the point of ignoring his wife when she needs him the most. But that is how Peter is coping with what happened, feeling that if he's not around Gabby too much, that maybe he won't blame her for what happened. Because right now, he still feels that it's her fault for losing their child, just like it was her fault for the ridicule he suffered after she cheated on him with Dave back in college.

But Peter hopes that his relationship with Gabby will improve, he just needs some time away from her right now to deal with the loss of their child, and hopefully not to blame her any longer.

The main reason that Peter has not initiated a third takeover of Dave's company hasn't been because of a change of heart, that he no longer wants to ruin him, but because of Jeffrey's insistence that they focus solely on the merger of their two businesses over the last year or so. That once they have been fully integrated as partners and have a solid plan for their future, that they can revisit the idea of acquiring Dave's company to strengthen their position.

That time is almost upon them; the unwritten truce will soon be lifted. But while Peter has abided by his agreement with Jeffrey to not pursue Dave's company during this time, he has taken steps to further his revenge on Dave in other ways. The Charity foundation that Dave's wife Kelly has been struggling to get off the ground has a new major donor, one that she is now indebted to. And of course, that big donor is Peter himself.

He made Kelly promise that she wouldn't tell her husband that he's behind the injection of capital that is helping to keep the lights on for her charity, that Dave wouldn't understand or accept it. That while they are rivals in a business sense, both having two products competing in the marketplace, that he also has no ill will against Dave and what he's doing. That in part, helping Kelly's charity makes him feel better about the competitive nature of their business rivalry.

Of course, that's all lies. Peter is hoping desperately that Kelly does indeed keep it from her husband, so that when Dave finds out, it may sow mistrust and a sense of betrayal in Dave with his own wife. Just how he did with him and Gabby. Maybe Peter won't have to buy Dave out after all, maybe he will implode on his own if his marriage falls apart.

Peter can almost taste his victory, and it's beginning to taste sweet.

A few months have passed by, with Dave still pushing ahead with the second version of his software product, trying to nail down a release date. He's still surprised that Peter Granthorpe has relented on his endless pursuit of taking his business from him. He's not sure what games Peter is up to, but he doubts that he's given up entirely. For whatever reason though, Dave has been thankful that he's been able to focus more on delivering the second iteration of his product, a major step forward that will hopefully end any comparison between his product and Peter's within the industry.

And his wife's charity has been doing well too, they've even had a little more time for each other lately, slowly trying to get back to being a happily married couple. All things considered, Dave is in a very good place right now, but he's unaware of what is coming his way.

His good mood is first dampened when he meets with Mason once more, sharing a beer together at their favorite pub. After catching up on the latest within their careers, Mason changes the subject, a conversation that will have far reaching ramifications for Dave, more than he could possibly know.

"Josie and I were out at one of your wife's charity dinners last week, Peter and Gabby were there too. Any reason why you weren't?"

"Was that the fundraising dinner last Tuesday?"

"Yeah, it was."

"She just told me it was a work thing, that she would be busy the whole time. She didn't really invite me along." Dave answers.

"Probably because she was spending the entire dinner sitting with Peter and Gabby."

"What? Why the fuck would she be sitting with them?"

"Because he's a major donor of theirs, that how I understand it anyway."

"Peter? Why the fuck would he be a big donor in my wife's charity? What's he playing at?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe he just feels bad for trying to ruin your life over and over again."

"I fucking doubt that. No, he has to have an angle here." Dave responds.

"Maybe he's laundering money through her charity or some shit." Mason chuckles.

"Nah, he'd never risk doing anything that stupid. Besides, he and his family are wealthy enough that they wouldn't need to break the law, everything is already in their favor."

"True. But why then? Out of the goodness of his heart? Or maybe he just wants to spend some quality time with your lovely wife." Mason replies.

"Yeah, no idea. I don't like that Kelly didn't tell me that Peter is the big donor that's kept her charity afloat, however. Maybe he's going to threaten to pull the plug on her charity if I don't sell my business to him next time."

"Perhaps. Who knows?"

"And did you speak with Kelly while you and Josie were there too?"

"I didn't, Josie did go over to their table at one point to say hello to Gabby, however. I'm not sure if Kelly even knew that I was there to be honest with you."

"So, she wasn't mingling with everyone there?"

"No, she stayed seated with Peter and Gabby the entire dinner, along with Jeffrey, you know, from our Rugby team. Peter's mate."

"Yeah, Jeffrey Maybourne. He and Peter have just merged, they're business partner's now from what I understand."

"Maybe that's why Peter has left you alone lately, maybe also why he's donating to your wife's charity too. Maybe Jeffrey has forced Peter to drop this bullshit rivalry you two have going. Maybe it was a stipulation for them joining together."

"Well, that would be a positive if it's true. But I still doubt it, I just can't see Peter dropping it that easy."

"Maybe not, but perhaps you need to have a chat with your wife in the meantime, find out what's going on exactly."

"Yeah, no shit."

An hour later, Dave arrives home at their apartment, hoping that his wife Kelly will be here already. She's not, still working no doubt. After having a shower and finding something to eat, Dave relaxes to watch some TV while waiting for his wife to return. He's unsure about how to approach this conversation, what he should say to her.

While he'd prefer that his wife and her charity have nothing to do with Peter in any way, can he really ask her to reject his money and place her charity in jeopardy once again? He hates that he can't help to fund her charity like Peter obviously can, in a way he's providing for Kelly in a way that Dave can't. And that cuts Dave to the bone, it angers him way more than it should.

Dave wonders if that's why Peter's doing this? To make Dave feel emasculated like he made Peter feel back in college after he slept with Gabby? Perhaps.

When Kelly finally enters their home, she has a shower before joining Dave on the couch in their living room.

"I take it you've eaten already?" Dave asks his wife as they cuddle together.

"Yeah, we got some food in while we were working. Sorry I didn't call; I wasn't planning on being this late."

"That's okay, I know how busy it can get. I had a pint with Mason this evening after work myself. He mentioned something that I thought was a little odd, however."

"And are you going to tell me, or should I guess?" Kelly asks Dave after an extended pause.

"Mason was at your little charity dinner last Tuesday night, did you know that?"

"No, I didn't. Why didn't he come over and say hello?"

"Why weren't you going around to the various tables greeting your guests?"

"I was busy with one of our big donor's."

"You mean Peter Granthorpe."

"Yes, but let me explain before you go get all upset, okay?"

"Just tell me why you kept that a secret from me. Why you didn't want me attending when you knew you'd be sitting with him and his wife all night."

"Because of how you'd react, that's why. I know you two don't get along, Dave."

"Don't get along? He's tried to take my company twice, he falsely sued me to stop me from getting investors when I was trying to get my product off the ground, and that was after he stole my fucking idea to begin with. It's not that we don't get along Kelly, the guy fucking hates me, and I hate him back just as much."

"And that's why I didn't tell you. He said you would never accept him donating to my charity, that you would refuse to allow me to take his money."

"Of course I would refuse. He's not doing this out of the goodness of his heart, Kelly. He's trying to put a wedge in between us."

"That's ridiculous. The only person that's doing that right now is you."

"See, he has you defending him against me already. He knows you would do that when your entire charity is now relying on his largesse."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it? If his money went away tomorrow, how much of a hole would that put you and your charity in?"

"But you're assuming he's only donating to get at you somehow. That he doesn't believe in what I'm doing."

"I guarantee he doesn't give a fuck about your charity, Kelly. Not a care whatsoever. He's doing this to get back at me; it's the only reason."

"And what was so terrible that you could have done to him, for him to cook up this elaborate plan of donating to your wife's charity that helps people?"

"I'm not surprised he hasn't told you. You also sat with Gabby the entire night, I'm betting she wouldn't have told you the reason either."

"What reason?"

"That I slept with her when I was in college, when Peter and her were first dating."

"What? You slept with Gabby?"

"Hold on, this was at least two years before I even met you. Don't go acting like I cheated on you or anything."

"But you could've mentioned that."

"Why? Do you want me to tell you about every girl that I've ever slept with just in case their current husband is donating to your charity?"

"You could have told me that's why Peter and you have this beef going, that might've helped, Dave."

"Well, at the risk of sounding childish, but he started it. Fucking his girlfriend was just me getting some payback at the time."

"So, what now? How is Peter donating to my charity going to allow him some payback on you now, exactly?"

"Because we've been arguing about it. He probably wants us to go through a little of what's happened between him and Gabby over the last five years."

"You think he's still pissed that you slept with his girlfriend back in college, honestly?"

"Yeah, he's married to her now. Every time they probably sleep together, it probably crosses his mind that I got her first."

"Oh fuck, you guys." Kelly shakes her head.

"Hold on, are you telling me that if there was a girl that you despised the most in high school or college, that if she then slept with your boyfriend at the time just to get at you, that you wouldn't hold that grudge forever after? Especially if you ended up marrying that guy?"

"No, I don't know. I probably would never have married the guy in your little hypothetical."

"But what if you did? Peter married Gabby after all. That shit has to eat at him to this day, I guarantee it."

"Why would he marry her then if it pisses him off that much?"

"Because their families wanted it, I'm betting that's why."

"So, Peter marries Gabby but still hates that you banged her first, and plots to ruin your life forever after? And he does that by donating to your wife's charity?"

"Yeah, well I haven't figured that part out yet, why he's doing it exactly. I can only assume it's to drive a wedge between us like I said before."

"Dave, I don't care about Peter Granthorpe or the reasons he has for hating you so much. You're my husband, the only man I care about. I'll take his money and then not give him whatever it is that he wants from me to get at you. I can handle him Dave, trust me."

"I hope you know what you're doing. But from now on, you tell me everything that goes on between the two of you. Even if you think it's mundane or harmless, tell me anyway, okay?"

"Alright, I promise. Now, can we go to bed already? I don't like arguing with you, and it's been a few nights since we've fooled around." Kelly says, as she leans over to kiss her husband.

Across London, Peter is about to have a very different conversation with his own wife, one that will also have ramifications for his future too, and just like Dave, he is unaware of just what is in store for him down the road as well.

"You didn't come home for dinner again tonight. I don't know why I bother cooking you anything anymore." Gabby tells Peter after he has settled into bed next to his wife.

"I didn't ask you to, I never said I'd be home early either."

"You're never home, Peter. Tonight, or any other night. And the only time I get to see or talk with you seems to be when we're out publicly, putting on a happy face for everyone."

"Can we not do this right now? I've had a bad day; I really don't want to cop it from you when I get home as well."

"Well, it's the only chance I get to say something to you." Gabby replies coldly.

"Alright, then say whatever the fuck it is you want to say. Let's hear it." Peter says almost angrily as he rolls over to face his wife.

"Do you hate me for losing our child, is that why you've been acting this way?"

"I don't hate you, Gabby."

"But you do blame me, don't you?"

"Well, I wasn't the one that lost our baby. You're the mother, or should've been." Peter replies with an annoyance in his tone.

"So, you do blame me than. Thanks Peter, that's all I needed to know."

"Look, can we not talk about this right now? I'm just not in a good mood at the moment." Peter replies.

"It's fine, you've said enough already." Gabby responds as she turns away from her husband.

"Fine, whatever." Peter shakes his head before rolling in the other direction himself.

What Peter doesn't know is that in his annoyance, his admission of blaming Gabby for losing their unborn child has triggered a series of events that will soon change his life forever.

For both Dave and Peter, they have now begun their journey down their final path, a path that will have them intertwined until their bitter end. Neither see it yet, only their fate knows what's coming for them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3

Over the next few months, Peter and Gabby's relationship has gone from cold to freezing, with Gabby not even wanting to show up for appearances with her husband in public any longer. That includes the occasional charity event organized by Kelly Shaw, Dave's wife. Peter has continued to be Kelly's biggest donor, and has spent a number of evenings with Kelly, both sitting together while chatting the nights away.

Dave is aware of these charity functions and dinners, and that his wife is spending her time with the Granthorpe's, but he also trusts that she can handle Peter, just like she promised.

For Gabby Granthorpe however, she's still socializing in her own way, but surprisingly, she's found someone other than her husband to enjoy her time with on her nights out. It's with her husband's best friend and now business partner, Jeffrey Maybourne. Neither have mentioned this to Peter however, but with Peter's reduced interest in what his wife is doing, neither of them feels the need to enlighten him as well. Besides, they both tell themselves that they're just friends, keeping each other company.

And Gabby is enjoying her time together with Jeffrey, as they've both known each other since college, and have been friends since then as well. Gabby sees in Jeffrey the man she wishes Peter would be more like. Less arrogant, less vindictive, more rational, and most importantly, more interested in her and what she's been through than what her own husband has shown.

No, Gabby now believes that her husband is far more interested in Kelly Shaw, the wife of the man that he hates the most. She's not sure if their relationship is simply a ploy by her husband to get back at Dave, to even the ledger perhaps by sleeping with Kelly, just like Dave did with Gabby back in college. Either way, Peter's not wanting to spend time with his own wife, and Jeffrey is.

For Dave Shaw, his young company has just released their second version of their product into the market, and to much praise with good reviews to boot. He's not sure why Peter still hasn't tried a third attempt to take his company from him, but he's genuinely relieved that he hasn't. It's given his company the much needed space to solidify their place in the market, to make it even harder for Peter to sway his investors the next time.

Dave is meeting with Mason once more at their favorite pub, it's now become a ritual for them every Friday night now. They're enjoying a pint together while watching the football, with Dave's beloved Spurs playing away tonight against Mason's Crystal Palace.

"Did you see that? Come on, that has to be a free-kick. What's this Ref fucking doing?" Dave exclaims as the Tottenham forward is brought down just outside the box.

"And you need something soon, or we're going to get all three points." Mason chuckles at his best friend's exasperation due to his team being 2-1 down in the final minutes.

As the final whistle blows not long after, Dave is licking his wounds by having to shout another round shortly after. As he returns with the pints, Mason changes subjects.

"Josie and I attended another of your wife's functions earlier this week, Josie's been attending on her own mostly, but I came along this week too for a change. I didn't see you there, and I'm betting that you rarely ever show up to these things at all now, do you?"

"Not really, especially with Peter Granthorpe now being the mister moneybags behind it all. I don't want to fuck up my wife's fundraising by being there and getting into it with him."

"But you're okay with Kelly spending all her time with him instead?"

"She's not just spending her time with Peter and Gabby, I'm sure she spends a lot of her time with other guests too."

"Dave, Josie told me that Gabby hasn't been going to these events for the last few months now, she also tells me that Gabby and Peter are barely even together as a married couple anymore either. Ever since Gabby had her miscarriage."

"Does Josie think they'll get divorced or something?"

"Don't know, but what I do know is that your wife is spending most of those nights now with Peter, and only Peter. If I didn't know them personally, it would've been easy for me to assume that they're together, that they're a couple by the way they were acting with one another when I saw them there this week. I just happen to know that's not the case, that Kelly is just greasing the wheels to keep Peter's money coming in. But what I'm wondering, and what you should too, is just how far is Kelly willing to go to keep Peter's interest in her little charity? Are you sure she won't cross any lines she shouldn't?"

"She told me she can handle him just fine. That she's being nice to him so that he keeps investing in her charity."

"But again, how far does that 'being nice' go? I'm not saying she would cheat on you Dave, but Peter has always been good at manipulating people, at getting his way. If getting some payback on you by having his way with your wife is his ultimate goal here, aren't you letting him have a free go at her right now? Are you sure that's such a wise thing to be doing?"

"I trust her. She knows about me and Peter, about me and Gabby too. I warned her that he's playing the game, but she swears she can play that game too. That she can handle him just fine."

"Well, I'm happy that you and Kelly are on the same page here, I know I wouldn't be trusting Josie around him that much, that's for sure. And that's not because I don't trust her either."

"Don't worry, we'll be fine."

Dave however, does have concerns now though. Kelly never told him that Gabby was no longer attending their charity nights with Peter, and Dave made her promise that she would tell him everything in regard to her dealings with Peter Granthorpe. His wife not attending and Kelly spending all her time with Peter instead is a pretty big omission to be leaving out. Dave is worried that maybe his wife is being played, that Peter has been slowly sinking his claws into her, getting his way with her. Mason is right, Dave has been giving Peter way too much leeway to get his revenge on him by using his wife, Kelly.

Dave needs to talk with his wife, this needs to end.

For Peter, everything is going well. He and Jeffrey have now fully integrated their companies together and are making good progress in various new directions. He knows that he has somewhat taken his eye off of his construction design software, allowing Dave to launch his second release unimpeded to good reviews and sales.

But Peter is still confident that Dave and his company won't be an issue for too much longer. That his growing relationship with Kelly Shaw will break her husband, at the very least causing him to divorce Kelly, and for her to get half of Dave's shares in the process. Of course she won't want to keep those shares, she'll look to sell them, and that's where Peter will step in, buying them from her. And that will allow him to get a controlling interest in the whole company too, Dave won't be able to stop him this time.

But there's something else that Peter didn't expect however, that is by spending his time with Kelly Shaw, he's grown quite fond of her. In fact, he's now wishing that he never married Gabby at all, that he pushed back on both of their families who were pushing for them to get married. That instead, he would have met someone more like Kelly, someone driven and ambitious, wanting to be successful in her own right too, and not just to be the social butterfly that Gabby is.

Maybe just maybe, after Kelly and Dave split up, that he and Kelly can continue what they've started. That he can divorce Gabby, and for him and Kelly to be together at the end. None of this will be easy though, especially with divorcing Gabby. Both of their families will be livid with Peter; they will make him pay. But perhaps they won't need to divorce each other, maybe they can come to some sort of an agreement where they live their separate lives while remaining officially married, allowing Peter to be with Kelly.

All of that is a long way off right now, first Peter needs Kelly to fall for him, and he feels that she's almost there. He can feel the chemistry between them growing when they're together, that there's a spark between them now. She needs him more than she needs her own husband, at least for her charity anyway. But now to make that in her personal life too, that's what Peter's been aiming for all along.

And to that end, Peter has organized for Kelly's charity to expand out of London, helping her to arrange for a gala fundraising event up in Glasgow in a week's time. The event will be on a Saturday night, and he's arranged for five-star accommodation at the hotel where the charity ball and dinner are being held. Accommodation for himself and Kelly, in adjoining rooms, of course.

He knows Dave won't be attending; Kelly has kept him away from all of her charity nights over the last year or so while Peter has been her biggest donor. This will allow them to be alone together, far from her husband, for Peter to finally have his way with Kelly Shaw. Payback for Dave and Gabby will be his.

As Dave waits for his wife to get out of the shower, he doesn't know anything about her planned trip with Peter next weekend, where his rival will have every opportunity to be with his wife. Instead, Dave is thinking about how he can get his wife to not associate with Peter at all, but he knows that will be difficult due to the risk of her losing Peter's backing for her charity in the process.

"I'm heating up some leftovers, are you hungry too?" Kelly asks Dave as she enters the kitchen.

"No, I ate at the pub tonight with Mason. I'm good." Dave answers, watching TV as he waits for Kelly to join him.

As Kelly takes her seat, eating from her takeaway dish, Dave looks over at his attractive wife. He's still unsure how to approach this, or how she'll react to what he wants from her.

"Mason tells me that Peter and Gabby are going through a rough patch, according to Josie anyway." Dave starts out with.

"Yeah, I don't think things have been good between them since they lost their baby."

"I guess that would be tough to go through."

"Probably, but I haven't really asked them about it, that's not really my place." Kelly answers.

"It's probably been a bit hard for you to talk with Gabby about it though, seeing as how she hasn't been attending any of your charity dinners since. It's just been you and Peter, spending those nights together."

"Dave, it's not like that. I knew you wouldn't understand."

"Is that why you didn't tell me? After you promised me that you would tell me everything in relation to Peter?"

"I didn't think you needed to know."

"What? I told you he's only dropping money into your charity to be close to you, to get back at me. And you think that his wife not being there with him, and it just being you and him together each time is something that I didn't need to know about?"

"Look how you're reacting, Dave. That's exactly why I felt that you didn't need to know. That you wouldn't understand."

"Understand what exactly? Kelly, he's using you to get at me. What part of that don't you get?"

"I don't believe he is; I think that you've got this whole rivalry thing going on in your head, believing that he couldn't possibly be into supporting a good charity that I've built myself, that it can only be because of you."

"It is because of me. I've told you before, he doesn't give a fuck about your stupid little charity Kelly, how can you not see that?" Dave answers, a little too annoyed with how this conversation is going.

"Stupid little charity? Why don't you say what you really think about my life's work?" Kelly answers angrily.

"That's not what I meant, Kelly. But you're playing right into his hands. I don't want you to be anywhere near him at your charity nights from now on, I don't care if you can get him to keep donating, but I don't want you near this guy anymore. Is that clear enough?"

"No, no it's not Dave. Because you don't get to decide who I can or can't socialize with, or who I spend my business time with either. But I do know who I'm not spending my time with right now, and that's you. You're sleeping on the couch. Enjoy it, asshole." Kelly angrily replies, before walking away into their bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Dave is angry, frustrated that Kelly would take Peter's side on this. But he should have seen this coming, Mason was right in that Dave has given Peter every opportunity to turn his own wife against him. But he could've handled it a lot better too, that's on him. He'll let Kelly cool off tonight, before talking with her again in the morning, to hopefully make up for tonight.

Peter, on the other hand, is calling Jeffrey, wondering why he's just been informed by an associate that Jeffrey and Gabby were out together again tonight, just what is Jeffrey doing?

"Hey Peter, what's up? It's bit late to be calling, isn't it?"

"Especially after you've had another good night out with my wife. What the fuck is going on, Jeffrey?"

"We're just friends enjoying each other's company. You would know that if you bothered to spend any time with her whatsoever."

"She's my wife, and you're my best friend and business partner. If there's anyone that I'm not expecting to try and go behind my back with my own wife, it's you."

"I'm not going behind your back, and I'm not trying to be with Gabby either. Like I said, we're just friends. She's been lonely, and right now she feels like she has no-one."

"So, in you step, huh? Her knight in shining armor."

"No, she's just needed a friend, and so have I. That's all it is, Peter."

"It better be. She's already cheated on me once; I won't stand for it a second time."

"Will you ever let that go? Maybe that's a big part of the problems between you two. You've never truly forgiven her, have you?"

"Why should I? You know how much shit I went through because she wasn't able to keep her fucking legs closed. I won't be embarrassed like that again, not now, and not with my own business partner."

"Don't worry, we're not together, it's not like that."

"But others might see it that way. You need to stop being with her out in public."

"Alright, and why don't you lock her up while you're at it. That way you can continue to chase after Kelly Shaw out in the public gaze without having to worry about your own wife."

"Fuck you, Jeffrey. You know I'm not really trying to be with Kelly, that I'm just using her."

"Does your wife know that? Does everyone else that sees you with Kelly at those fundraisers know that too? It's funny that you're only concerned when it's you that might get embarrassed, but you couldn't give a shit if Gabby gets ridiculed because of your actions."

"Whose friend are you? Mine or my wife's?"

"I'm just saying, Peter, you need to see things from her point of view too. She's your wife, maybe you should start caring about her sometimes, even just a little."

"Apparently that's what you're for, isn't it? I'll talk with you on Monday, I'm tired and frustrated right now, I don't want to say something I'll regret later." Peter answers, before ending the call.

Peter is left wondering what Jeffrey's intentions truly are with his wife, Gabby. Are they really just friends, that Jeffrey is simply being a friend when she needs it right now because Peter hasn't been there for her? Maybe, but he'll talk further with Jeffrey when he's cooled down a bit, when he's not as pissed off about it as he is right now.

But also, he knows that he lied to Jeffrey about only chasing Kelly to use her to get back at Dave. While it started out that way, it's not like that anymore. Now, Peter actually wants to be with Kelly for real. To steal her from Dave completely, along with his company too.

For Peter, that would be the ultimate revenge, taking both Dave's wife and his dream, and making them both his own.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following morning, Kelly was still infuriated with Dave, barely able to speak with him before they both went about their Saturday. Kelly hasn't been completely honest with her husband either, because she knows that her feelings for Peter have indeed grown recently. With their time together, she's grown to admire his determination, confidence and the success that Peter exudes, not just his wealth. She can't admit to herself that maybe she doesn't have Peter under control after all, that maybe she has stronger feelings for him now than she'd ever want to admit.

Dave will try to mend things tonight when they're both at home, maybe he'll get some food brought in, and they can have a nice dinner together, watch a movie or something. He needs to make sure that Kelly knows that he still loves her, and not to push her away, pushing her into Peter's arms.

As for Jeffrey, having Peter confronting him about Gabby has pushed him to think about what to do next also. Jeffrey's plan has been to take both Gabby and Peter's share in their new joint venture from him, after having to deal with his insufferable friend since childhood. Jeffrey only seems to be the good friend and sidekick that Peter has always assumed him to be, but quietly Jeffrey has carried his own grudge with Peter.

Peter has always looked on Jeffrey as the guy that will always be there for him, but never the other way round. The guy that always has his back, the guy that will support him in whatever he's doing. What Peter hasn't witnessed is the slowly growing animosity for him in Jeffrey, especially since Jeffrey had a massive crush on Gabby back in college, only to watch Peter use Jeffrey's acquaintance with her to start asking her out on dates himself.

It never crossed Peter's mind that his friend wanted her first, or that he should ask him or wait to see how their relationship went before asking her out himself. No, Peter only thought about what Peter wanted, and Jeffrey is only there to support him to get what he wants, and that's it.

Jeffrey in fact, was delighted when he heard that Gabby had slept with his rugby team-mate in Dave Shaw. Jeffrey already knew how much Peter disliked Dave already, and that Peter and Gabby would certainly now be over, opening the door for Jeffrey once again. But while he played the waiting game, waiting for Gabby as she'd hardly want to be with Peter's best friend right after what happened, he was again foiled when Peter decided to start dating her again, albeit because of his family's intervention.

Jeffrey never did find another woman that he truly wanted to be with, because in his mind, he'd already found her. But she's now married to his best friend, the same best friend that he's grown to despise. When Peter kept asking him to join companies after college, to have a joint venture to enrich them both, Jeffrey at first declined as he knew that Peter would only use him to get what he wanted once again. That he would be the man to do all the work, make all the hard decisions, while Peter would take all the spoils and accolades.

So finally accepting Peter's offer to join together has come with a plan. Because Jeffrey still knows that when the time comes, Peter will cast him aside and take everything.

But not if Jeffrey can take everything first.

Jeffrey specifically wanted control of the finances within their company after their merger, so he could start planting the seeds of Peter's eventual downfall. He would also slowly try to win over Gabby too, to take her from Peter as well. But he's not quite there yet on either front, and Peter has already started to become wary of his best friend, suspicious of his intentions.

Jeffrey may need to step up his timeframe, he may need to make his move sooner than he'd like, or he risks losing everything. But he doesn't have Gabby yet, and he hasn't finished with his scheme to frame Peter with Fraud and Embezzlement either. Right now, Jeffrey needs more time, time that he's not sure he'll have.

Dave tried to make it up to Kelly later that night, but she was still too annoyed with her husband, not wanting to spend much time with him at all. What Dave doesn't understand is that it's not only because he accidentally insulted her career, but that she doesn't want her husband to find out that she has feelings for the man he despises the most in this world. The same man he warned her about, only for her to ignore those warnings.

Right now, it's better for her to use his off-the-cuff remark about her 'stupid little charity' to avoid Dave altogether. To give her time to get her own thoughts and emotions in order before she deals with her husband, confronting her growing relationship with Peter Granthorpe. But she also has to inform him that she'll be away next Saturday night, that she'll be in Glasgow for a fundraiser, and of course she won't want to admit that she'll be there spending most of her time with Peter once again.

It isn't until Tuesday night after they both get home late from work that Kelly decides that it's time, that she needs to inform Dave that she'll be travelling away this weekend, staying in Glasgow overnight.

"I have a fundraiser on Saturday night; it's in Glasgow though. I'll be staying the night, getting back here around lunchtime on Sunday." Kelly tells her husband as if it's just another work update as they're eating their dinner.

"Will Peter be there too?" Dave immediately asks.

"I'm not sure, maybe. I would have to check with Kathy in the morning, she takes care of attendances and seating for all the events."

"Come on, you'll know if your biggest donor is going to be there or not, surely."

"He said he would like to attend the last time we met at the previous fundraiser, but that's all I know. He's a busy man."

"You haven't spoken or texted with him since?" Dave asks further.

"No, I haven't. Dave, I told you before that I can handle Peter, that you have nothing to worry about." Kelly reasserts.

"Fine. But I want to know if he's going, I don't want you up there spending time with him alone."

"If he is going, it's for my 'stupid little charity' Dave. And you don't get to decide if I spend any time with my guests or not." Kelly replies defiantly.

"So, you don't care what your own husband wants? Would you feel the same way if I was spending all my time with another woman, especially a woman that you despise?"

"If it was only for work, then no, I wouldn't."

"Yeah right. Of course you would, you just know that I'd never do that to you."

"And you should trust me when I say that I'd never do anything like that to you either, Dave. Trust goes both ways you know."

"It's Peter I don't trust, and you shouldn't either."

"Fine, I won't trust him. Are you happy now?"

"Try meaning it though." Dave responds.

"Dave, I've had enough of your childish paranoia about me and Peter. If you want to keep this stupid rivalry going with him, fine, but don't drag me into this. Some of us are adults and can navigate being around people we either dislike or don't trust. We can deal with things without constantly going off the deep end."

"Really? Childish paranoia, huh? Like when you didn't tell me that he was your biggest donor that saved your charity, that you were spending every fundraiser with Peter without his wife, and that you know he's going up to Glasgow with you, but you act like you're not sure. That kind of childish paranoia?"

"Whatever, I'm so over all of this. When you grow up a bit and want to talk about it properly, then we can talk. Until then, you're still sleeping on the couch." Kelly informs Dave, still frustrated that Dave doesn't trust her with Peter.

Truth is, she doesn't trust herself with Peter either, and most of her disdain towards Dave at the moment is just deflection. He's raising the concerns that she too has but is unwilling to confront. Their relationship remains in the doldrums this week, both unwilling to admit they're wrong on this.

As the following Saturday morning arrives, Kelly is packing her clothes into her suitcase before she'll soon catch a ride to the airport. Dave has already left for work earlier this morning, he has some investor calls today that should take up most of his time. At least it will keep his mind off of Kelly and Peter. Hopefully.

Dave's first meeting of the day goes well; it's just the usual updates about how their product is currently tracking after their recent release, along with their future release plans. He'll soon begin his second meeting, where he'll have to go over everything again, but with different investors.

He's texting Mason in the meantime, asking him if he wants to go have some drinks tonight after missing out on their catchup last night due to him wanting to be home with Kelly, even though that didn't go to plan.

Mason replies that he'll talk with Dave later about them going out for beers, after he chats with Josie first. Dave chuckles to himself, he's happy that his best friend has found the woman he wants to be with, even if he has to ask for permission now just to have drinks with his best friend.

After his second investor meeting is done, Dave is relieved that he only has two more to go. It's after lunchtime now, he's hoping that Mason will have permission from Josie to go out already as he calls him.

"Hey Dave. You really are keen on a few beers tonight, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am. Especially as how Kelly won't be here."

"Really? Where is she?"

"She's up in Glasgow for a big fundraiser. She flew up there this morning already."

"Is she staying overnight too or flying back?"

"She'll be staying the night."

"And what about Peter, will he be there with her as usual?"

"No. I asked her exactly that when she told me she was travelling up there. She's since told me that he's not attending, according to the woman who does the attendance bookings for the charity, anyway."

"And do you believe her?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"I'm just saying Dave, would you trust her to tell you if Peter was going up there too, if she was going to be spending a lot of her time with him?"

"She wouldn't do that to me, not after I made my feelings clear."

"Or maybe she wouldn't tell you because you made your feelings clear." Mason rebuffs.

"What are you getting at? Do you think she's cheating on me? Or planning to anyway?"

"I don't know, Dave. But Josie told me last night that Gabby spoke to her this week, that she's positive that Peter is already having an affair with your wife."

"Does Gabby have any proof?"

"Not as far as I know, or if she does, she didn't tell Josie anyway." Mason answers.

"She's probably just afraid of what Peter is trying to do, a lot like me." Dave offers in response.

"Let me speak to Josie, see what she can find out from Gabby. I'll call you back later if I find out anything new."

"But what about drinks later?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll call you back later though and we can arrange it then."

"Cheers, Mason."

Dave is frustrated once more after ending the call with his best friend. Would Kelly lie to him if Peter was indeed going to be there in Glasgow with her? Could Gabby be right that Peter and Kelly are already having an affair? Dave can feel the pit of his stomach churning at the thought.

Dave would absolutely hate it if Kelly ever cheated on him, it would mean the end of their marriage. But for her to do it with Peter, that would be too much for Dave. It would be his worst nightmare. Dave is sure that there's just no way that she would ever do that to him, not after knowing how the two men feel about each other. While Dave and Kelly aren't getting along too well right now, she knows that he still loves her, and Dave is sure that Kelly still loves him as well.

No, Dave decides that he needs to put this out of his mind, he needs to prepare for the next investor call, he needs to focus on work right now.

After the third investor call is ended, Dave feels a little drained already. It's almost four pm already, and he still has one more call to make. But with ten minutes before the call is to begin, Dave receives a text from Mason.

'Are you free to chat right now?'

Dave picks up his phone and calls his best friend.

"Hey Dave, are you still doing those investor calls?"

"Yeah, one more to go. I should be wrapped up by six pm hopefully. My last call starts in just ten minutes time."

"Well, I better not keep you then, I'll make this quick. Josie just got off the phone with Gabby, her husband is already in Glasgow, he flew up there this morning already. Apparently, he's got two rooms booked in the same hotel that Kelly's fundraiser is being held at."

"Hoe does she know about the rooms?"

"She logged in and checked his flights and accommodations. He's not even trying to hide it from her."

"Fuck! So, he is there, and will no doubt be spending a lot of time with my wife." Dave replies, sounding frustrated and not really expecting an answer.

"And Kelly already told you he wasn't attending, didn't she?"

"Yeah, just yesterday in fact. Why the hell would she lie to me about that?"

"What if Gabby's right, that there is something going on between them already? That would be a pretty good reason to lie to you then, wouldn't it?"

"No doubt. Did Gabby tell Josie anything else?"

"She gave Josie their room numbers, Gabby thinks that Peter booked both of their rooms at the hotel, for him and your wife."

"How does she know that?"

"Well, why else would Peter book two adjoining suites?"

"Anything else?"

"Not about Peter and Kelly anyway. Apparently, Gabby hasn't slept with her husband in months now, they're even sleeping in separate bedrooms already. That would make sense if Peter's already seeing someone new."

"I'll fucking kill that prick if he's sleeping with Kelly, and I'll enjoy doing it too." Dave replies angrily.

"But how will you even know? If Kelly is already lying to you about her and Peter in Glasgow, what's to stop her from keeping you in the dark once they return?"

"I don't know. Look, I need to get onto my other call in a moment, can we chat later when I'm done?"

"We can do that when we go for beers later if you want."

"Yeah, I'll call you when I'm done here to arrange it. Talk then." Dave replies before ending the call.

Right now, he's frustrated and angry, but somehow, he has to get his shit together quickly to make his final investor call. This is going to be a difficult call; it will be hard for Dave to stay focused.

The final investor call lasted for almost two long hours, and by the time Dave is done, he's tired, yet still angry and frustrated with his personal life and what Kelly may be doing with Peter right now up in Glasgow.

It's after six pm already, Kelly will be getting ready for the fundraising dinner right now. He thinks about calling her, to confront her with what he now knows. But if she already knew that Peter would indeed be there in Glasgow with her, what would be the point? Surely, she would just lie to him again. No, Dave needs to confront Kelly for being with Peter in person. He needs to deal with this before it goes too far, if it hasn't already.

He quickly goes online to book the next available flight from London to Glasgow, he should be there at her hotel by about ten this evening, about the same time as the dinner for the fundraiser is wrapping up. Hopefully he won't be there too late.

Dave texts Mason to let him know that their drinks are off, telling him he's going to Glasgow instead. He also asks Mason to send him their room numbers, just in case.

After arriving at Glasgow airport almost an hour behind schedule, Dave hails a cab into the city, to the hotel that his wife and his biggest rival are staying at. It's now just after eleven pm as the cab pulls up out front, with Dave heading straight to the hotel's reception.

Dave is informed that the dinner for the fundraiser has already finished, so he tells them he's here with his wife, and gives them her name and the room number, picking one of the two that Gabby provided. He's hoping that he's picked the right one, that Peter's name doesn't show up, as he needs reception to provide him with the card for accessing both the elevator and the room.

The receptionist smiles up at Dave, asking for ID, before handing him the access card. As he's riding the elevator, he can feel his pent-up frustration quickly growing, his anger for what he is afraid he might find. He doesn't know what he'll do when he sees his wife, how he will confront her either. His mind has been too clouded with frustration and anger to think this through clearly.

As Dave approaches his wife's suite, he can feel his frustrations rising as he inserts the access card before opening the door. He finds an empty suite, still tidy with the bed not yet slept in. He can see Kelly's clothes hanging up, her suitcase on the floor. This is definitely his wife's room, but where is she?

That's when he can hear her unmistakable giggle. The one he knows all too well. It's the sexy giggle she makes when they're fooling around, when they're having sex. It's coming from next door, from Peter's room.

Their two suites share an adjoining door, Dave doesn't have to go back outside to get into their room, but he doesn't have the key for the door either. He quickly checks the table where the hotel staff leave various information for their guests, hoping to find the door's key there too, but no luck.

Dave then hears his wife's moan.

He's starting to see red right now, his wife is in Peter's room right next door, they're having sex in this very moment. Dave is unsure what to do, but his rage, his anger decides for him. Dave kicks open the adjoining door between the two rooms with violent force, smashing it open.

On the bed right before him is Kelly, she's naked under Peter who is naked also and already between her thighs. They quickly turn to see Dave, shocked at the sudden intrusion into their room. Before Peter can react, Dave grabs him and tosses him to the floor like a ragdoll.

Dave then mounts the shocked Peter, attacking him with repeated blows.

Kelly is screaming, as she quickly wraps herself in a bed sheet before running out of the suite entirely. Dave doesn't even notice her leaving, he has only one focus right now, to make Peter pay.

And he does, over and over again, reigning down blow after blow.

Suddenly, Dave is being grabbed by hotel security, dragged off of a now unconscious Peter. Dave struggles to get free; he wants to finish what he's started. But as the red mist slowly pulls back, Dave allows himself to be marched out of the hotel suite by the two security guards, taken to a security room while they wait for the police to arrive.

Dave can hear an ambulance arrive first, no doubt for Peter, with the police sirens shortly after.

It's only now as Dave waits to be dealt with by the police, that he is starting to realize what he's just done, the ramifications of what is surely to follow. This is not only the end of his marriage to Kelly, but probably the end for his company and for his freedom as well.

He's wondering how he let it go this far, allowing someone like Peter to make him do what he just did. It's only now that he wonders if Peter will survive the ordeal, or if this will finally be the end of their rivalry.

Dave is taken away in handcuffs, placed into the back of the police van before being taken away to be locked up where he will await charges to be filed. He is unsure of what will happen now, maybe that will all depend on what happens to Peter.

But whether Peter pulls through or not, this night has changed Dave's life forever; maybe it has already changed Peter's life too. Only time will tell.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4

Dave is leaving the courthouse, escorted by two police officers as he is once again placed into the back of a police van to be transferred to Pentonville prison in North London. At least he'll be serving his time back here in London, and not in Glasgow.

Dave has just been convicted of Grievous Bodily Harm with intent, sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

Peter Granthope has survived the brutal beating that Dave gave him that night in Glasgow, some four months ago now. Peter's broken jaw and nose are recovering well, although much slower than he would like. While Peter hates that Dave interrupted his final conquest of Kelly Shaw on the night, in hindsight however, it couldn't have worked out any better. He got his revenge on Dave for sleeping with Gabby back in college, and Dave got to discover Peter fucking his wife to top it off.

While his broken jaw especially has been painful and extremely frustrating over these last few months, just knowing that his rival, the man he hates the most in this world is now rotting in jail as a consequence, fills Peter with a sense of innate joy. A sense that finally he has won.

For Kelly Shaw, it's been easier to blame this whole mess on Dave, for him being violent with Peter, for Dave ruining their marriage. If only Dave had supported her more, more like Peter. While she knows that Dave warned her about Peter's intentions, Kelly never thought that she'd fall for him though, or that she'd betray her husband in the end.

No, this was Dave's fault, not hers. That's what she keeps telling herself, anyway.

Kelly has already filed for divorce from her husband, but she isn't yet living with Peter either, not until he too files for divorce from his wife, Gabby as well. Kelly is determined to not be seen as the woman that destroyed two marriages, that in her mind that blame should reside with Dave and Peter, and their stupid rivalry.

Kelly was, however, at Peter's side in hospital as he recovered for the first couple of weeks directly after the attack, and they have spent even more time together since. That's mainly because Peter's own wife Gabby had already separated from him once she found out that Peter was having sex with Kelly Shaw when Dave caught them together.

Peter and Gabby's lawyers are already meeting, trying to figure out how to split their assets equitably, with Peter's lawyers fighting to ensure that he is able to hold onto his company that he shares with Jeffrey Maybourne. What neither Peter nor his lawyers are aware of, however, is that Gabby is working closely with Jeffrey to ensure that doesn't happen; that they will stall proceedings long enough so that they can both take it all.

Jeffrey's secret plan to have both Gabby and take full control of his joint company with Peter has been accelerated, thanks to Dave Shaw's abrupt intervention. Jeffrey has just completed laying the breadcrumbs for the financial regulators to investigate Peter's dealings, Jeffrey will provide them with everything they'll need to have Peter charged with fraud and embezzlement while ensuring that Jeffrey himself remains in the clear.

So far, Jeffrey is delighted with how things are turning out. Peter has been so distracted by what happened with Dave, and with his new romance with Kelly Shaw, that he's been relying on Jeffrey to run things in his absence. It has given Jeffrey all the time and space he needed to get everything in place. Best of all, he's been able to consummate his relationship with Gabby too, right under Peter's nose.

Even Gabby Granthorpe has finally realized that the man she should've always have been with was standing right in front of her the entire time. That she should've been dating Jeffrey back in college, and not his arrogant self-serving best friend all along. That her life could've been so much better by now if she had chosen the right man to begin with.

But at least now she gets to make the right choice at last, she gets to be with Jeffrey and to take care of her cheating husband all at the same time.

Meanwhile, Peter Granthorpe is delighted that everything he wished for is coming to pass, he will soon have Dave Shaw's business all to himself. But even better still, he will soon have Kelly Shaw all to himself as well. While Peter and Kelly are not yet living together, or even officially together as a couple in the eyes of the elite social circles, they are already sleeping with one another, finding comfort in each other once their affair was made public due to Dave's court appearances.

Dave has had to step down as Director from the company he is the majority owner of, now that he is in prison. Of course, he didn't want to hand control over to his wife, so he instructed his company's lawyers to appoint one of his most senior employees in his place. However, with Kelly already filing for divorce, it seems inevitable that Dave will soon be forced to sell the whole company or at least his controlling share.

Kelly will get half of his shares in the business as part of the divorce, Dave's just hoping that she doesn't sell them to Peter Granthorpe. Dave still doesn't know that Kelly and Peter are seeing one another, he hasn't spoken to his wife since that fateful night four months ago.

Dave's first week in Pentonville prison has almost ended, and so far, he's kept himself out of any trouble. Being a working-class local lad and having a bit of size to him, is helping Dave to not be targeted as the new boy on the block.  

Today he's getting his weekly visit from his best friend Mason Johns, who still feels partly responsible for what happened, for telling Dave what was going on with Peter and Kelly, in providing him with the information for Dave to commit the crime.

"How are you holding up?"

"Yeah, alright."

"You look good, you don't look like anyone has fucked with you yet." Mason replies to his best friend in the visitor's room.

"I'm sharing a cell with a guy named Odel Thompson. He's actually a decent lad and pretty funny to talk with, and we've got plenty of time for that. He's a local kid from North London too, supports Spurs as well even though most of his family are scummy Gooner fans."

"Well, seeing as how those scummy Gooners just won the league and you guys almost got relegated, you two will have plenty to bitch about then." Mason jokes, always ready to take his shot at Dave when it comes to football.

"Yeah, yeah. Imagine finding out my wife's a cheating slut and then being sent to prison, and then having Spurs relegated at the same time while fucking Arsenal win the league, that all would've been too much, honestly." Dave answers, even smiling a little for once.

"Any news on what's happening with your business? Are you going to sell all your shares?" Mason enquires.

"I probably won't have a choice. Kelly wants her half, and Jason who I've placed in charge, well, running the whole business isn't what he was ever employed to do. I just hope that it isn't Peter's company who comes in for it once again."

"Well, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but Josie tells me that Kelly and Peter are still together. If I was a betting man, I'd say it's short odds that Peter will indeed be the new owner soon enough."

"Especially if Kelly sells all her shares to him. Our other investors will all look to get out then as well I'd imagine. They'll take his offer if it's decent; they won't refuse him when I'm not around."

"And what about you? Will you sell the remainder of your shares too even if Peter is the only one buying? There's probably no point in holding onto them if Peter will already have the controlling share in your own company. He'll probably sell everything off so that his product won't have any competition." Mason asks.

"Yeah, I'd lose the rest if I don't sell too. Can I ask you a favor though? I have a lawyer that's handling my divorce, and another one dealing with the business itself, but I don't want them dealing with my personal investments. I'm hoping to sign over my power of attorney to you, for you to look after the sale of my shares, and to invest the money somewhere for me too. It doesn't have to be a great investment or anything, just something that's stable with a little bit of growth while I'm sitting in here."

"Yeah, of course I can do that. Just get your lawyer to send me the paperwork and I'll take care of it for you."

"Thanks Mason, at least that's one thing then I won't have to worry about."

"Yeah, but I am a little surprised that you ignored what I said just before about Kelly and Peter. That they're together now, I honestly thought I'd get more of a reaction from you on that."

"I already know about them being together still, my mother told me right before I got transferred here. She talks a lot with Kelly's mom; they're good friends still. But what I'm still struggling to understand, is why Kelly would fuck me over like that. That she would want to be with such a fucking arrogant cocksucker like Peter."

"Maybe she liked his money more than you knew."

"Yeah, maybe. Those two miserable cunts deserve each other now. I hope that they both cheat on each other too like they did with me and Gabby, tearing each other apart in the process."

"I can't see it working out for them myself, surely Kelly will realize sooner or later that she's been taken for a ride by Peter, that he cared more about getting back at you than he ever will for her."

"True. But the fact she fell for that cunt in the first place, that I'll never understand." Dave answers.

"I guess it's over now anyway, between you and Peter that is. There's not much you can do about him from inside here."

"Yeah, unfortunately."

"Well, I hate to be the one to say it, but you might finally have to let your rivalry with him go."

"And that grates at me the most being stuck in here. Knowing that he got what he wanted and there's nothing I can do about it. There's no way for me to get even with him."

"You got to beat the living shite out of him, so there's that."

"Yeah, and I fucking enjoyed it too. I'm just pissed that I didn't finish that cunt off when I had the chance."

"Then you'd be in here for a lot longer too. Did they say when you got sentenced, if you can get reduced time at all? Good behavior or anything?"

"Maybe, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Nah, I'm planning on being here for the next fifteen years. That way I won't keep my hopes up for anything less."

After Mason's visit, Dave made his way back to his cell, where he's got plenty of time to think about Peter, about Kelly, and about losing his dream and his company, and now his freedom too. The only silver lining is that so far, life here in prison hasn't been too bad for him. The guys all know why he's in here, and they respect what he did. Add to that, having Odell as his new friend and cellmate has meant that he hasn't gotten hassled either, as Odell's already well respected which counts for a lot. It also helps that Odell is a rather large mean looking black guy too with lots of friends here already in Pentonville prison.

Peter is just wrapping up a call; he's been busy making contact with some of Dave's company's biggest shareholders. Advising them that his takeover of Dave's company is imminent, and that they should sell to him while the price is still good.

Peter is happy with himself, his injuries are well on the mend, with only his jaw giving him any lasting issues. But he can eat properly already, and more importantly, he will soon finally lay his rivalry with Dave Shaw to rest. Peter looks over as he watches Kelly Shaw enter the living room where Peter is sitting in the home that used to belong to his biggest rival.

"You look great today; have you done something new with your hair?" Peter asks, not sure if Kelly has done anything different at all.

"No, not really. Do you like it?"

"Absolutely. You look fantastic as always." Peter smiles back over at his conquest.

Peter had spent an entire year cultivating his romance with Kelly Shaw, slowly winning her over while also being her charity's biggest donor. He'll never admit to her that he had zero intentions of being with her after her divorce from her husband, because now that has changed. For the first time in his life, Peter is actually happy, both with his business and now with his personal life too.

He never thought that he'd want to be with Kelly after his conquest of her, after all, he was just using her to get back at Dave. But she surprised him in a good way, she helped breathe some life back into his otherwise routine and pragmatic existence. But Peter still has concerns about whether Kelly will ever truly love him the same way that she used to love Dave. Peter knows that it was his wealth that got him into her life to begin with, and it was his wealth that kept him there too.

Will she ever be truly happy with him, or does her happiness hinge on her ongoing access to his personal wealth? Afterall, she was prepared to cheat on her husband. And if a woman can do that once, what's to stop her from doing it again? Peter has never been able to trust his own wife Gabby throughout their marriage, not since she cheated on him with Dave Shaw back in college. Would it be any different with Kelly Shaw this time?

But right now, Peter is casting those concerns aside, because he wants to enjoy revelling in his victory over Dave Shaw. He wants to enjoy basking in the warmth of this feeling he's waited so long for.

Every other issue or concern can wait. Right now, he's on top of the world. The rivalry is finally over, and Peter stands alone as the clear victor.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's now almost eight months since that fateful night in Glasgow, and Dave has been informed by his lawyer that his divorce from Kelly has been finalized. Half of the shares he owned in his company have been signed over to her as part of the divorce, and Dave has also been informed that Kelly has indeed sold them to Peter Granthorpe.

His other investors have also sold their holdings to Peter, as has Dave himself, through Mason acting on his behalf, which now gives Peter the complete ownership of Dave's business, the business that Dave worked so hard to get off the ground and then to keep out of Peter's hands over the last few years. Dave can't avoid the reality that Peter has won, it's over.

Peter Granthorpe is working in his office located in London's financial sector, when his personal assistant hurriedly enters.

"Sorry to interrupt you sir, but we have officers form the Serious Fraud Office here to see you."

"What do they want? Shouldn't they be dealing with our lawyers if they have any questions about something?"

"I'm not sure, sir. They have a warrant though. They've got people going through everything as we speak."

"What?"

At that moment, two officers enter Peter's office, raising a court-ordered warrant.

"Are you Peter Granthorpe?"

"Yes, yes, I am. What's this all about exactly?"

"We need you to come with us, we need you to answer some questions for us."

"Well, ask away."

"Sorry, but you need to come with us."

"No. Not until you tell me what the fuck is going on!" Peter answers, his frustration and anger quickly growing.

At that moment, the two officers proceed to move towards Peter, forcibly pinning him against his desk before applying handcuffs behind his back. As they walk him out of his office, Peter quickly tells his PA to call Jeffrey, for him to get their lawyers involved immediately.

The indecency of being walked through his own office in front of all of his staff while in handcuffs looking like a common criminal is infuriating to Peter. All he can think about is why are they doing this? What could they possibly think that he may have done wrong?

Peter is thinking that this has to be some sort of mistake, or that maybe one of his senior staff members has done something wrong, but not him. As he is driven away, he's taking comfort in the knowledge that Jeffrey will soon get to the bottom of this, that he will sort this out for him.

After being made to wait hours for the SFO investigation to wrap up in their office first, Peter is relieved when one of the senior officers finally comes into the interrogation room, taking his seat across from him.

Peter is then shocked when he is informed that he is being charged with Fraud and Conspiracy to commit fraud. He is flabbergasted, unsure why he is even being charged to begin with. It becomes even more painful when he learns that it's related to his takeover attempts with Dave Shaw's company, and his dealings with both Dave's investors, and with the investment banks that were to fund his share offers.

Peter doesn't understand what the issue is; that while he has gone behind Dave's back on many occasions to undermine him, nothing he did was illegal. It was all just business, and all above board too. Even with his dealings with the investment banks as well, he never crossed any regulatory lines at all.

That is, until the senior officer starts detailing some of the communications between Peter and his company's financial team, and also the dealings between Peter and the investment banks.

It clearly shows that Peter had misled Dave's investors. That in his determination to defeat his business competitor, he went far beyond what was legal, that he fraudulently misrepresented his company's holdings in order to be able to fraudulently raise the capital to make the share offers to begin with. That, along with conspiring with his business partner to enable these fraudulent actions to occur, is what he is being charged with.

Peter is silent, taking in the charges, trying his best to understand how any of this could have happened. He's wondering if Jeffrey is in trouble too, as Peter is being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud along with Jeffrey.

But when Peter soon meets with his lawyers, he's incensed when he's informed that Jeffrey isn't being charged at all. In fact, it's Jeffrey who's been working with the SFO in relation to Peter's charges, and has been granted immunity in the process.

Peter is livid, wondering how or why Jeffrey would ever do this to him. But then he thinks of his wife, Gabby. Of course, it's because of her. Jeffrey wants Gabby, and he wants Peter out of the way. When Peter is granted bail after surrendering his passport, he heads home to see Kelly.

"Good, you're here. Did you hear about what happened today?" Peter asks as he enters Kelly's home.

"Yes, I have. I've spent a lot of the day being interrogated about you and what you've done. What the hell were you thinking, Peter? My charity has been dragged into this mess now, all because of you and your stupid rivalry with my ex-husband. We're being audited now, and I've been told that I myself am still under investigation as part of your case."

"What? That's bullshit. The money I've been donating into your charity has come from my own personal wealth, not from my company or anywhere else. They're just trying to turn over every rock to see what they can find, that's all. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure? They said that some of the funds we received were from an investment bank as part of your stock offer for my husband's business. That you diverted their funds into my charity instead. Is that true, Peter? Was everything you did with my charity just to get back at Dave? Just so that you could come out on top?"

"Hold on, I never did that, believe me. There's some shady crap going on here, but it's not from me. I think that maybe Jeffrey is behind all of this."

"Why would he do that to you?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I think it has to do with Gabby. They've been spending a lot of time together ever since she lost our baby. I'm thinking that maybe Jeffrey wants my wife for himself, and all of this is just to get rid of me."

"But you're already separated from Gabby, why would he even need to do all this if he wants to be with her? And how is it that you don't really know the truth about any of this in the first place?"

"Because I've dropped the ball, I've given him way too much financial control and now he's probably been using that against me. It's the only way any of this makes sense."

"I still don't get why he would, though." Kelly replies.

"I'll find out soon enough, I guarantee it."

"But if he has framed you like you think, will this come down to being your word against his?"

"No. If he's the one that's done this, he's done it secretly by using our company's finances, cooking the books as it were.   It would make sense for why they think I'm guilty, why they have evidence of me doing things I never did. He's probably been planning this for ages, long before I separated from Gabby."

"Well, until you get this sorted, I can't be seen anywhere near you, Peter. I can't have my charity being dragged down any further by all this. The fallout will already have a detrimental effect on our fundraising as it stands. So, until you're cleared, I'm sorry but we're done."

"Kelly, what the fuck? I'm being set up here and all you can say is goodbye because of how it might impact your fucking charity?"

"Until all of this is behind you, yes. My charity has to come first; it means everything to me."

"Clearly. You even fucked your biggest donor right under your husband's nose, that's how much it means to you, huh?" Peter replies angrily.

"Fuck you, Peter!"

"No, I already fucked you. I'm just happy that you're showing me your true colors before it's too late. What the fuck was I thinking that a cheating slut like you would ever be worth my time after I used you so easily to get back at your own husband." Peter angrily answers, before storming out of the house, slamming the front door as he leaves.

Peter is lost right now, and angry beyond words. He stands to lose everything, most importantly his reputation and standing amongst London's high society. And all this just because his supposed best friend wants to fuck his estranged wife. Peter now has an undying urge to confront Jeffrey, an urge he needs to quench.

After arriving at Jeffrey Maybourne's home, Peter marches up to the front door, knocking loudly. As the front door swings open, Peter finds that he's unable to restrain himself from instantly lunging at his now former best friend. His second punch lands like his first, as Jeffrey staggers back inside his entryway, trying his best to cover his face with his own arms.

As Peter continues to throw punches, Jeffrey is finally able to put up a defense, but instead of trying to throw a few punches back, he charges forward, tackling Peter to the ground, with both men now wrestling in the entryway to Jeffrey's home.

They are using both their knees and elbows, anything really to strike at the other as they are still grappling for control on the ground. When Peter grabs hold of an object from the nearby shelf, hitting Jeffrey on the side of his face with it, Jeffrey lurches back, covering himself now, the fight gone from him.

Peter strikes at Jeffrey several more times before standing to his feet, then sinking two more kicks into his former best friend. It's only now that Peter feels that his anger has been somewhat satiated, as he stands over a bloody and beaten Jeffrey.

"Did you do this to me just so that you could have my wife? Is that why?" Peter is yelling at Jeffrey who is still on the ground, bleeding heavily.

"Fuck you." Jeffrey almost mumbles.

"You could have had her without any of this. We're already getting divorced you fucking asshole. You didn't need to frame me, to try and take my business from me either."

"Just fuck off Peter. Leave." Jeffrey musters up, still in a fetal position on the floor.

As Peter walks back out of Jeffrey's home, he's still frustrated, still angry with what has happened. He can't understand why Jeffrey has done this to him if all he wanted was Gabby.

In Peter's mind, Jeffrey can have her, he wouldn't have been happy about it, but he wouldn't have cared eventually. But why frame Peter, to have him arrested and charged with Fraud? Why would he want to ruin him like that? That's what is frustrating Peter right now, he always thought that Jeffrey had his back.

By the time Peter arrives at his family home, the Police are already there to greet him, and once again he is taken away in handcuffs, with assault being added to his list of charges.

Peter can't believe this is happening to him. That he had it all and now it's all gone to shit. That he finally won when it came to his longstanding rivalry with Dave Shaw, but that he never saw that his real battle was with his best friend in Jeffrey Maybourne instead. A battle he is clearly losing.

How could he have missed it? How could Jeffrey do this to him?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, have you heard the news already? About Peter Granthorpe?" Mason asks Dave as they sit together in the visitor's room of the prison once more.

"About the Fraud and Assault charges? Has he been to court yet for all that stuff? That all happened a few months back now."

"Yeah, that's the news I'm referring to. He was just found guilty on all charges. The guy will soon be serving about as much time as you." Mason answers, unable to hide a little smile.

"Good. And I hope he gets well and truly rogered once he gets inside too. It couldn't happen to a bigger asshole."

"Well, that's the other part of the news, what I hear is that he's coming here. Who knows, maybe you two will be seeing a lot more of each other real soon."

"I fucking hope so. That would be the best day ever, having that cunt in here with me, with nowhere to run or hide."

"Just don't go doing anything stupid, Dave. He's not worth it."

"Come on, Mason. You know me, I'm one of Pentonville's finest." Dave chuckles in response.

"Yeah, right. Maybe get someone else to do your dirty work if you want some payback. Be smart, okay?"

"I will, I promise." Dave answers with a small smile himself.

It's only a few days later when Peter is transferred into Pentonville prison as well, although he's being housed in a different wing to where Dave resides. Dave does see him in the exercise yard briefly though, giving Peter a sinister smile as they cross paths.

Dave is planning his final payback, but he will make Peter sweat on it first, wondering when it will come. Dave has spoken with Odell about it too, about wanting his revenge with the man that fucked up his life. That he wants to end their rivalry once and for all.

The two men conspire to have Peter alone, so that Dave can finally take out his revenge. Dave couldn't ask Odell or anyone else to do it for him though, it has to be him. Dave has to take care of this personally.

It takes a few weeks, but finally Dave is getting his chance. Peter is on laundry duty, he and two other inmates are transferring the laundry bags into the washers. When Peter goes to say something to his co-workers, he realizes that they're not there, that he's all alone right now in the laundry room.

The other inmates are friends of Odell's, and they advised Odell of what their shifts with Peter were, so that Dave could plan to meet with Peter alone. And today is that day, as Dave steps through the doorway into the laundry room, looking across at Peter who's just realizing now what's about to happen.

"What are you doing here Dave?"

"You know exactly what. It's time we end this shite once and for all." Dave answers as he slowly starts walking towards Peter.

"It's already over. We're both in here now, nobody won. What more do you want?" Peter asks nervously, he can tell by Dave's demeanor that this isn't looking good for him.

"I want to end you, that's what I want." Dave coldly responds, it's only now that Peter sees the handmade shiv sticking out from Dave's clenched fist.

"Dave wait, I'm sorry, okay? I went way too far, I know that now. I'm so sorry Dave, please." Peter starts begging with Dave as he gets even closer.

"It's too late for that. Way too late. This is it for you, this is where our rivalry finally ends." Dave coldly answers, before lunging towards Peter with the sharpened blade protruding from his fist.

Some rivalries last a lifetime; some lifetimes end way too short. For Dave Shaw and Peter Granthorpe, their rivalry saw them losing their marriages and their businesses, before losing themselves in the end.

But at least now their rivalry has finally come to an end, yet neither truly gets to claim a triumphal victory, even though only one man is left standing.

The End.