Prologue

Prologue

The Blind Date

"Kung hindi ka pa rin mag-aasawa ngayong taon, ibibigay ko ang Monteverde Group sa pinsan mo."

Iyon ang unang salitang sumalubong kay Chase Monteverde nang pumasok siya sa library ng kanilang ancestral mansion.

Tahimik niyang ibinaba ang hawak na coat sa sofa bago tumingin sa kanyang lola na si Doña Helena Monteverde.

"I'm thirty-two, Grandma. Marriage isn't a business deal."

"It is when you're the future CEO."

Nakataas ang noo ni Chase.

Lumapit naman ang kanyang ama.

"We've waited long enough. The board wants to see stability. Investors are asking questions. You need a wife."

Hindi agad siya sumagot.

Hindi dahil wala siyang sasabihin.

Kundi dahil sawa na siyang marinig ang parehong sermon.

"I'm not marrying someone I don't love."

Napangisi ang kanyang lola.

"Then fall in love."

"I don't have time."

"Make time."

Sandaling natahimik ang silid.

Maya-maya ay inilapag ng matanda ang isang envelope sa mesa.

"Blind date."

Tiningnan iyon ni Chase.

"She's a lawyer."

"Successful."

"Single."

"And exactly your type."

Hindi man lang niya binuksan ang envelope.

"I'll go."

Nagulat ang kanyang mga magulang.

"Really?" tanong ng kanyang ina.

"One dinner."

"That's all."

---

Sa kabilang panig ng siyudad...

"Mom, ilang beses ko bang sasabihin? Hindi ko kailangan ng asawa."

Nakasandal si Ariana Villanueva sa kitchen counter habang umiinom ng kape.

Twenty-eight years old.

One of the youngest litigation lawyers in the country.

Brilliant.

Independent.

At walang balak magpakasal.

"Anak," mahinahong sabi ng kanyang ina. "Hindi habang-buhay trabaho ang aasikasuhin mo."

"Exactly."

"Paano kapag tumanda ka?"

"I'll buy ten cats."

Napailing ang kanyang ama.

"Hindi kami nagbibiro."

"Kami rin."

Inilapag ng ama niya ang isang invitation card.

"Blind date."

"Dad..."

"Last one."

"Hindi na."

"Kapag hindi ka pumayag, kami na ang pipili ng mapapangasawa mo."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Ariana.

"You can't be serious."

"We are."

Napabuntong-hininga siya.

"Fine."

"One dinner."

"After that, stop setting me up."

Nag-apir ang kanyang mga magulang na tila nanalo sa lotto.

---

Isang eksklusibong restaurant ang napiling venue.

Tahimik.

Elegant.

At halos puro milyonaryo ang mga bisita.

Naunang dumating si Chase.

Nang bumukas ang pintuan, napatingin siya.

Pumasok ang isang babaeng naka-white fitted dress.

Simple.

Elegant.

Confident.

Hindi ito ngumiti habang naglalakad.

Diretso itong naupo sa harapan niya.

"So..." bungad ni Ariana.

"Ikaw ang CEO."

"And you're the lawyer."

Nagkamayan sila.

"Chase Monteverde."

"Ariana Villanueva."

Saglit na katahimikan.

Pagkatapos...

"I'll be honest," diretsahang sabi ni Ariana.

"Wala akong planong magpakasal."

Bahagyang tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Chase.

"What a coincidence."

"I don't either."

"Good."

"Then let's finish dinner and tell our families we don't match."

Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin sa babae.

Maganda.

Pero higit doon...

Matapang.

Hindi ito natatakot sa kanya.

At iyon ang unang beses na may babaeng hindi nagpanggap na mabait para lang mapalapit sa kanya.

Interesting.

Samantala, naiinis na si Ariana.

Bakit ba kasi ang yabang ng lalaking ito?

Napaka-cold.

Mukha pang walang emosyon.

"I'm only here because my parents forced me."

"Same."

"Good."

"I don't like arrogant CEOs."

Ngumiti nang bahagya si Chase.

"And I usually avoid stubborn lawyers."

"Then we're done here."

Tumayo agad si Ariana.

Ngunit bago pa siya makalayo...

Biglang nagdilim ang buong restaurant.

Kasunod noon ang malakas na sigawan.

At isang putok ng baril ang umalingawngaw sa buong gusali.

Sa isang iglap, hinila ni Chase si Ariana at niyakap upang takpan ito ng sariling katawan.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Ariana.

"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon?"

Mahina ngunit matatag ang boses ng CEO.

"Because if anyone gets hurt tonight..."

"...it won't be you."

Hindi alam ni Ariana kung bakit.

Pero sa unang pagkakataon...

Mas bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya—hindi dahil sa takot.

Kundi dahil sa lalaking ilang minuto pa lang niyang nakikilala.

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, businesses, events, and incidents in this story are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story may contain mature themes, violence, strong language, emotional conflicts, and scenes that may not be suitable for younger readers. Reader discretion is advised.

No part of this story may be copied, reproduced, translated, or reposted without the author's permission.

© 2026 by Cassie. All Rights Reserved.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello, everyone!

Welcome to The CEO's Favorite Possession. Thank you for giving this story a chance.

This novel is a billionaire romance filled with love, family pressure, misunderstandings, secrets, and emotional twists. While the characters may make frustrating decisions, every choice they make is part of their journey toward growth, healing, and finding the kind of love they truly deserve.

I hope you'll laugh with them, get frustrated with them, cry for them, and celebrate every victory they earn along the way.

If you enjoy the story, don't forget to vote, leave a comment, and share your thoughts. Your support inspires me to keep writing and bring more stories to life.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you'll stay until the very last chapter.

With love,

Cassie ♡