C8 How They Met

Mexico City, Three Years Ago

9:45 PM, The Gran Palacio Ballroom

Gabriel tugged at the cuffs of his black wool double-breasted peak lapel tuxedo, more out of habit than necessity. Around him, the glittering ballroom buzzed with conversation, the kind of polished, calculated talk he had grown used to over the years.

This was his world: annual galas, endless schmoozing