"These days are getting busier" looking at the view from the car window, Mateus sighed.
"Alfredo, put on Slipknot-Snuff" closing his eyes and leaning deeper into his seat, Mateus spoke in a tired tone.
At that moment, the driver, Alfredo, spoke in a respectful and serious tone:
"Sir, we have two cars following us"
Mateus opened his eyes, his tired look transforming into a gleam of alert. He adjusted his posture in the seat, looking in the internal rearview mirror to assess the situation.
"Two cars, Alfredo?" Mateus asked, his voice taking on a serious and calculating tone.
"Yes, sir," Alfredo replied, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead and occasionally checking the mirrors. "They've been following us for a few blocks and seem to be keeping a controlled distance, as if they want to go unnoticed."
Matthew frowned, considering the possibilities. He was an influential man, and recently, NeuroSys' projects and his own prominent position had put him in a lot of spotlight, attracting both allies and enemies.
"Alfredo, change the route. We're going to lose them," Matthew instructed, trying to remain calm while calculating the risks. "Take us to the busiest streets in the city and monitor any changes in their behavior."
Alfredo nodded, making a sudden turn that took them to a busy avenue full of pedestrians and other cars. He adjusted his speed, becoming part of the traffic to make it harder for anyone to try to track him.
In the silence of the car, Slipknot's song "Snuff" began to play softly, a melancholic and intense melody that seemed to echo Mateus's mood. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath to calm his thoughts.
"Mateus," Alfredo said, interrupting the moment. "They're speeding up and getting closer again. They must be determined."
Mateus opened his eyes, his gaze now sharper. "Swerve into an alley as soon as possible, let's see if they're still behind us. If they have the courage to follow, we'll know it's not just a coincidence."
Alfredo followed the instructions precisely, making a sharp turn and entering a narrow alley. The surroundings became darker, the city lights now obscured by the walls of the tall buildings around them.
When the cars behind them made the same turn, Mateus was sure it wasn't a mistake. He pulled out his cell phone, activating a NeuroSys security app that would immediately signal his location to the security team.
"Get ready, Alfredo. If this is an ambush, we'll need a quick exit," Mateus said, as the music continued to play, increasing the tension in the air.
Alfredo nodded, keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel as the cars approached, ready for whatever action might occur next.
Mateus gripped his cell phone tightly, seeing the notification that his location had been sent to the NeuroSys security team. He knew that reinforcements would be on the way in a few minutes, but those minutes could be critical.
The first of the two cars following them accelerated, almost lining up next to Mateus' vehicle. The window of the enemy car began to roll down, revealing a serious-looking man who seemed to be assessing them.
"Alfredo, if we need to, can we get out of here fast?" Mateus asked, his gaze fixed on the car next to them.
"Yes, sir. I'm prepared for that," Alfredo replied, paying close attention to every movement of the vehicles around him.
Suddenly, the car in front of them braked suddenly, blocking their path. Alfredo had to act quickly, swerving to the side to avoid a collision. But at the same time, the second car following them stopped right behind them, preventing any attempt to turn back.
Matthew felt his entire body go on alert. This wasn't just a suspicious follow-up; this was a planned ambush.
"I think they're looking for an unwanted meeting, sir," Alfredo muttered, his eyes alert for any opening he could find.
Mateus took a deep breath, his gaze cold. "Then let's see what they want."
He typed quickly on his cell phone, sending a message to Aether with a request to track the vehicles. Within seconds, the response arrived: both cars were registered under false identities, which indicated a clear effort to hide their origin.
"Sir, they're getting out of the car," Alfredo warned, as the men in the cars blocking the way opened their doors and walked toward them, with firm steps and impassive faces.
Mateus watched closely, calculating the possibilities. "Alfredo, keep the engine running. I'll go out and talk, but if anything seems wrong, you leave here and call the full security team."
Alfredo hesitated, but nodded. "Understood, sir."
Mateus took a deep breath, adjusted his jacket, and opened the car door, stepping out to face the men. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he felt the pressure in the air, the silence almost palpable as he and the strangers stared at each other.
"Can I help you with anything?" Mateus asked, with calculated calm. He knew that security was on the way, but he needed to buy time and understand who these men were.
One of the men stepped forward, his face hard and his eyes fixed on Mateus. "Mr. Oliveira, we have come with a business proposal. The kind of offer that is best handled away from phones and cameras."
Mateus smiled, maintaining his posture firm. "If it was just a conversation, an email would have sufficed. Or a scheduled visit to my office."
The man smiled, but without humor. "We have our ways, Mr. Oliveira. And, with all due respect, some matters require more... discretion."
Mateus kept his gaze steady, not backing down. "Very well. Speak, then."
The man studied him for a moment before finally answering: "We are aware of NeuroSys' influence in the market, especially in the area of technological security. Our organization is interested in a partnership, but not the usual kind. We want access to certain... innovations that you develop."
Matthew could hear the weight in the man's words. This was not a request for a partnership, but rather an attempt at intimidation to obtain privileged information.
He crossed his arms, keeping his expression unwavering. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but NeuroSys does not partner with anonymous organizations. And most importantly, it does not compromise your security. If that is your intention, I suggest you reconsider before things get unpleasant."
The man narrowed his eyes, as if weighing Mateus's words. "Think carefully, Mr. Oliveira. Denying our offer could have consequences that not even your most advanced security system will be able to prevent."
Mateus smiled slightly, his gaze challenging. "I think we can end this conversation. I suggest you get back in your cars and leave before this gets worse for you."
The man hesitated, but upon noticing Mateus's determination and the sirens in the distance that were now approaching, he finally gestured for the others to get back in their cars.
"You'll still hear us, Oliveira," he said, in one last threatening tone, before getting back into the car and disappearing down the street with the others.
Mateus watched until they were out of sight, then let out the breath he was holding. He got back into the car and, seeing Alfredo's worried look, gave a slight smile. "I think our day has taken a turn, don't you think?"
Alfredo nodded, still alert. "We should reinforce security, sir. It seems like this is just the beginning."
Mateus agreed, knowing that this threat could bring unexpected consequences for him and NeuroSys.