The second day of babysitting started with a sense of quiet dread from Stacey, Sheena, Gian, and JR. After yesterday's hilarious but chaotic spy mission on Maloi and Cole, none of them expected Maxene to wake up with even more energy than before. She practically bounced down the stairs, wearing her favorite oversized shirt that read "Future Detective."
"Titos, Tita Shee, Ninang Princess!" Maxene greeted them all with wide eyes and excitement as they gathered for breakfast. "Are we spying again today?"
Stacey, her hair still a mess from the morning scramble, looked up from her coffee and gave Maxene a tired but amused smile. "You haven't had enough of spying yet, Max?"
Maxene shook her head eagerly, spooning her cereal with all the enthusiasm of a kid ready for another adventure. "I saw something yesterday! We need to follow Tita Monay and Tito Cole again. I know they're up to something today."
Sheena, who was nursing her cup of hot chocolate, let out a low groan. "Mahirap mag-spy, Maxy. You sure you don't want to just play Tita Shee's favorite game? 'Hide and sleep'?"
"Hindi!" Maxene shouted with determination, bouncing up and down on her chair. "Spy tayo ulit, please! I know we'll find something fishy!"
The four babysitters exchanged weary glances. It was hard to say no to Maxene, especially when she gave them that pleading look, her brows furrowing like her dad's—impossible to resist.
Stacey sighed, already surrendering. "Okay, okay. Spy mission it is."
---
After breakfast, they found themselves in the mall. The spy crew had decided to stick with Maxene's instinct that Maloi and Cole would be up to something fishy here.
"Malls are where the fishy things happen," Maxene had said confidently, mimicking the tone of a detective. "Trust me, I smell something fishy."
Armed with this flawless logic, the team set up base near the entrance. Maxene stood tall and proud, her little backpack filled with snacks and her toy binoculars hanging from her neck. She was the undisputed leader of this "highly skilled" team of grown-ups.
"Alright, everyone," Maxene announced as she surveyed the scene like a seasoned detective. "Let's split up."
"Wait, wait," JR interrupted, limping slightly as he adjusted his shoelaces. "Hindi pa tayo nagsisimula, masakit na agad yung paa ko."
Gian patted JR's shoulder, clearly unimpressed. "Pagod na agad? We haven't even started following Tita Monay and Tito Cole."
Maxene shushed them both, her face stern. "We have to stay focused, Titos! Now, we'll follow them one by one. Tita Shee and Ninang Princess will take the left side of the mall. Tito Gian and Tito JR, kayo dito sa right. I will go... everywhere."
The adults couldn't help but laugh at how serious Maxene was taking this. "Lead the way, Detective Maxene," Stacey said, doing her best to stifle a giggle.
---
It wasn't long before they spotted Maloi and Cole strolling through the mall together, seemingly unaware of the chaos about to unfold around them. The babysitters and Maxene immediately jumped into action—or rather, stumbled into it.
JR and Gian took the lead, with Gian crouching behind a plant display, his tall frame completely failing to blend in. JR, meanwhile, was pretending to look at a store window but was obviously staring too hard at Maloi and Cole. Gian gave JR a subtle nudge. "Parang obvious ka na masyado," he whispered.
"Hindi ah," JR argued, squinting his eyes as if that would help him appear less suspicious. "I'm blending in."
Just then, Maxene darted ahead of them, yelling out, "Tito Gian, Tito JR, follow me!" They barely managed to catch up with her, their feet tangling as they tried to move in unison.
