warning: if you haven't read the fifth chapter of Rebuilding Our Future and would like to be properly introduced to Cleo first, go read that and then come back to this

Riley Freeman was not a morning person and yet the now twenty-four year old sat at his desk at seven in the morning, drawing at his tablet as he tried to finish the piece this guy had commissioned of him and his girlfriend. Riley hadn't gotten any sleep the night before, stressing over finding a job.

Riley didn't really have any issues with money, as he was a popular artist on Instagram, and people, celebrities included, would pay him to draw portraits or whatever they wanted for them. When he was twenty-two, Riley had gotten started drawing commissions after a 40"x40" painting he had drawn and posted of DaBaby's Baby on Baby album cover went viral, and was reposted and then eventually bought by the rapper himself. After that, Riley's page had blown up and he was constantly being commissioned for paintings, although sometimes the person would request for something digital.

Although Riley made more than enough money from this, it wasn't what he wanted to do forever. It wasn't what he had gone to school for. However, it seemed that all of the production companies that he had given his portfolio and résumé's to didn't care how many celebrities had ordered drawings from him (six, but who was counting) or how diverse his work was, they had not called him back. So deep in thought about his lack of a job and what the next steps he could take were, he didn't realize his phone had been going off for a minute until Huey, who was up packing, finally snapped at him, "Riley, answer your goddamn phone!"

"Nigga, watch yo tone," Riley snapped back but reached for it regardless. He furrowed his eyebrows, he didn't recognize the person calling. "Hello," he answered it anyway.

"Hi, good morning! Is this Riley Freeman," a woman's voice came from the other line.

"Yes," Riley said skeptically.

"Awesome! My name is Rochelle Carter, I'm a colleague of Professor Anna Lacey. I got your number from her." Although still confused, Riley relaxed a little bit. Professor Lacey had been his favorite teacher back when Riley attended Bowie State University, he was still in contact with her even two years after he graduated. He didn't know how he felt about her giving his number out to random ass folks though. As if reading his mind Rochelle then went, "I'm sure you're confused as to why she gave me your number, let me explain. I'm a show writer and a show I've had in the works for five years is being picked up by Netflix."

"Congrats," Riley told her. He was still confused about what that had to do with him though.

"Thank you. Now, the network is hiring most of the other writers and animators for it, but they're allowing me to choose a few that I would like to be on the project. Anna happened to show me your portfolio and mentioned that you're looking to be an animator? I'd like to meet up with you and tell you about the show. If you're interested in taking part in it by the time I've explained, I'd like to hire you to be one of the artists on the show."

Ho. Ly. Shit.

Riley's jaw dropped. Was a job opportunity for Netflix of all places really falling out of the sky and into his lap? "Are you serious," he asked, disbelief laced in his voice.

"Of course! The work in the portfolio Anna showed me is so talented. I also looked you up on social media the other day, a million followers on Instagram and nine-thousand on Twitter, and you've garnered the attention of celebrities like Rico Nasty and Roddy Ricch. You're very impressive."

Not thinking, Riley breathed, "Holy shit." Then remembering who he was on the phone with very quickly said, "Sorry."

Rochelle laughed from the other line. "That's alright. So, you would like to meet?"

Agreeing, Rochelle and Riley made plans to meet on the upcoming Friday in the morning. Then after she had hung up, he quickly replaced his tablet with his laptop and sent off an email to Professor Lacey, asking the woman if she had indeed given his number to a show writer named Rochelle Carter. When he got an email back from her within minutes, Riley was far too impatient and nervous to read it in its entirety and only skimmed it until he got to the word 'yes'.

Shocked, Riley just kept reading the word over and over again until finally… "OH SHIT! HELL YEAH! OH MY FUCKING GOD, YES!"

Surprised by his brother's sudden and very loud outburst, Huey whipped his head around to glare at him. "Riley, what the hell is wrong with you?! If you wake up Cleo, I swear I am going to-"

But Huey never got to finish his threat, seeing as the door to the room opened and Cleo was on the other side. "Uncle Riley," she asked, although because she was so young and couldn't pronounce her 'L's quite right yet it sounded like she had said 'Unca Riwey'.

Huey glared at him so hard that Riley was thankful the three-year-old was here so Huey couldn't put his hands on him.

Standing up, Riley crossed the room to pick her up. "Oh, I'm sorry, princess. Did I wake you up?"

Cleo nodded against his chest. "Why were you screaming," she asked, her soft voice still laced with sleep.

"Well," Riley started as he sat back down, placing Cleo in his lap, "your uncle Riley had just gotten off the phone with a woman who wants him to work on a TV show." Riley noticed Huey gave him a curious look at this.

"You're gonna be on TV?" Cleo's voice was in complete awe. Riley damn near melted. How had his hatin' ass brother managed to father and raise someone so adorable?

"No, baby. I'm probably just going to draw for it," he explained to her.

"Oh," Cleo said through a yawn.

Huey came over and took her from Riley. "Okay, let's get you back in bed," he said and Cleo murmured something in response before the two left.

A grin on his face, Riley switched his laptop for his tablet again, but he was far too excited to be able to get any more work done. Clicking the device off, Riley put it away in the compartment he had put his laptop in and was standing up when Huey came back into the room.

"You really just got a job offer," Huey asked.

"Hell yeah, nigga!" Riley excitedly told him before launching into the details of the phone call. "I just really hope I fuck with whatever her idea is 'cause if not I'ma have to decline. Can't be attachin' my name to no lame ass shit," he finished.

"Well, congrats, Riley. I can't even lie, you've always been real talented and dedicated with your art. Looks like it's about to pay off exactly how you want it," Huey told him. Riley smiled, just about to thank him when suddenly Huey punched him so hard in the gut that Riley keeled over, the breath literally knocked right out of him. "But if you ever yell and wake my daughter up like that again, I'll shoot your ass."

"That's why that shit ain't even hurt," Riley wheezed out as he straightened up. He immediately flinched back when Huey bucked at him, causing the older brother to smirk before going back to his packing. "Bitch," Riley said.

Just not loud enough that Huey could actually hear him.

Extra

Riley was on cloud nine as he stood outside the door to Anaya's apartment and knocked. After meeting with Rochelle and hearing what her show would be about, Riley thought the idea was dope. True to her word, Rochelle had invited him onto the project, giving him a contract. Riley hadn't signed it then, he wanted Tom to look over it first, but she wasn't offended and told him to get back to her if he had any questions or concerns.

The first thing Riley had done after was pick up some food for Anaya and made his way to her place. He wanted to tell her so bad about the Netflix job, but he also wanted to surprise her along with everybody else on Sunday.

Riley heard the footsteps on the other side of the door before Anaya's muffled voice came through. "Who is it?"

"Naya, whatchu got a peephole for if you'on use it," Riley asked back with a roll of his eyes.

"It's too high," Anaya said, her muffled voice becoming clearer as she unlocked and opened her door.

The image of Anaya standing on her tiptoes to look out the peephole made Riley chuckle. "Yeah, I forgot yo short ass can't reach most things." Anaya scowled and raised her hand, but Riley caught her wrist before she could hit him. "It's too early for you to be gettin' violent wit' me."

"It's too early for you to be teasing me. Niggas think they something special at six-two and forget I can still beat they ass," Anaya grumbled that last part more to herself. "I swear you come to my house just to make fun of me, wit' yo mean ass."

Riley snickered. She wasn't wrong. "Yeah, whatever," he said, stepping into the apartment and kicking the door closed. "Hey, beautiful." He leaned down, kissing her.

"Boy, I look messed up right now," Anaya said when they pulled away, pink dusting her cheeks, and Riley knew that he had flustered her.

Anaya clearly hadn't gotten ready for the day yet. She was dressed in a black Adidas hoodie and a pair of short-shorts. Her face was free of any makeup and had a silk scarf tied around her hair like a headband to keep her hair out of her face. Riley didn't care though. It didn't matter whether Anaya was completely dressed up and had on a full face of makeup or bare-faced and in sweats, she would be beautiful to Riley no matter what.

"Yeah, that's some bullshit," he smirked before kissing her again.

Anaya melted into the kiss, standing on her tiptoes and wrapping her arms around his neck. Riley's free hand rested on the small of her back and he pulled her closer. Finally, when they pulled away from each other, Anaya smiled up at Riley and he returned it with one of his own.

"You're in a good mood," she said, slightly breathless. Her eyes dropped to the Waffle House bag in his right hand. "And you brought food." She looked back up at him, her smile gone as she looked at him suspiciously. "What did you do?"

"Why I always gotta have done something," Riley exclaimed in disbelief.

"Nigga, because!"

"That's not a reason! Watch me not do nothin' no more for your ungrateful ass," Riley threatened, but he was mostly kidding.

"Okay, okay, chill," Anaya said and was smiling at him again. Pulling him down to her by his shoulders, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for the food, baby."

Taking the bag from him, she made her way to the kitchen, Riley following her. She hopped on one of the stools that were all around the island in the middle of her kitchen. Riley sat next to her and watched as she pulled the takeaway plate out and then peered into the empty bag.

"Where's your food, Reezy," she asked him.

"I already ate."

She pouted. "Without me?"

Riley rolled his eyes. Anaya had a lot of weird things that she was particular about, and Riley eating before or without her when they were together was one of them. He also remembered Huey used to complain about Jazmine acting the same way back when they were in a relationship. Riley didn't understand females.

"My bad, bae. I met someone this morning and picked up food on my way there."

Anaya, who had gotten up and was filling a cup up with cranberry juice from her fridge, asked curiously, "Who'd you meet with?"

"Ed." The lie came easily to Riley. He had made up his mind, deciding to tell her about the job offering on Sunday with everyone else at dinner. Riley knew that Anaya wouldn't press him for details about anything involving Ed since she hated him, seeing as he had said something Islamophobic to her when they first met.

"Ugh. Hate that nigga," Anaya grumbled and rolled her eyes, sitting back down.

Of course, Riley knew that Ed wasn't actually Islamophobic, just a dumbass, but he didn't bother telling Anaya that again. The last time he had tried to defend Ed, she had gotten so mad at him that she yelled at him for a straight hour and a half before storming out and hadn't gotten into contact with him for two whole months. This, of course, had pissed Riley off to no end and they ended up getting into a huge fight all over again when she did finally talk to him. It had been an infuriating and testing time in their relationship, and Riley was never about to risk it again over Ed's stupid ass no matter how close they were.

"You doin' anything today," Riley asked Anaya, watching as she brought the breakfast sandwich he had gotten her to her lips.

"Writing," she responded before taking a bite.

Anaya was an aspiring author and had been creating and writing a book series for the past four years. Since her parents were extremely rich and supported her financially Anaya didn't have to work, and dedicated most of her time and focus to completing the first book in the series. She was just about done too and currently in touch with a publishing company.

"I'm gon' stay wit' you."

Anaya shrugged and ate her hashbrowns. "Kay. Thanks, babe."

A comfortable silence settled over them as Riley watched her happily eat her food. During quiet, domestic moments like this Riley sometimes thought about how much he'd grown in the ways of dating. High school Riley never would have willingly bought a girl anything, he never would have been able to sit in quiet and be happy off her company alone, or forgo his whole day just to hang out with her.

Anaya was the only girl Riley would ever be willing to do all that and more for. Sure, now that he had grown and was no longer stuck in his childish 'all females are hoes' mindset, he could if he ever got into another relationship, but Riley literally didn't want to. Anaya was perfect for him. She was the perfect mix between hood and girly, was able to joke on the same level as Riley that a lot of girls got offended by, and was sexy and freaky as all hell. She was basically a slightly bougie and definitely more violent female version of him.

Noticing a light pink coming in on her face even though Anaya continued eating casually, trying to pretend that she wasn't flustered for whatever reason, Riley smirked and brushed the back of his finger on her warm cheek.

"Whatchu blushin' for?"

She smacked his hand away. "Nigga, I've told you multiple times how I feel 'bout you just starin' at me. Stop it."

For some reason still unknown to Riley, Anaya had a weird thing with him looking at her for too long.

Riley smirked. "You'on seem to mind when I be eight inches deep inside fuckin' you." Although her face turned multiple shades darker, Anaya didn't look away from him and even boldly made eye contact. Anaya wasn't one of those girls who got embarrassed at the mention of sex (hell, she was usually the one that started the conversations about it), and Riley loved her even more for it. Like he said, she was with all that freaky shit.

Finishing her juice, Anaya licked the droplets from her lips and Riley's eyes immediately dropped to watch the action. "Well, you not fucking me now, so either shut the fuck up," she challenged him, her voice quiet and sultry, "and stop looking at me or do some'." Anaya smirked. "And we both know you ain't gon' do shit."

Oh, she had him fucked up.

Riley was on Anaya in seconds, his hand wrapped around her throat as he kissed her thoroughly. Moaning, Anaya slipped her hands underneath Riley's shirt, tracing his abs as she kissed him just as eagerly. Feeling Anaya's cold tongue ring, Riley groaned. Fuck, he loved that thing.

So distracted, Anaya didn't even notice Riley unzipping her hoodie until she felt cool air against her bare chest and stomach. She pulled away from the kiss and looked up at him, a sweet, loving smile suddenly on her face. "Reezy, you know I was just playin' around earlier."

Riley chuckled as he looked into her seemingly innocent eyes. Look at her tryin' to save herself now. Cute.

"Nah, you was talkin' allat shit," he pulled the hoodie off of her and it dropped to the kitchen floor, leaving her only in her shorts, "whatchu tryna back out now for?"

"Riley," Anaya stressed his name but suddenly cut off her original sentence as Riley began to place hot, open-mouthed kisses on her chest. "Ohhh shit. Reezy." She was quickly losing track of what she even wanted to say in the first place, but managed to push through. "Riley, I have th-things to do today."

Pulling away long enough to look up at her, Riley grinned cockily. "Anaya, you ain't gettin' shit done today."

a/n: so this was originally going to be part of the fifth chapter of ROF but after thinking about it, i realized that the first time i wanted cleo to be introduced was properly in jazmine's pov, so i had to scrap this. the chapter was gonna go in a completely different direction, with riley calling the whole friend group together out to eat so he could tell them about the job and then jazmine was going to tell them about the pregnancy. so kind of what ended up happening, but there was going to be no dinner on sunday and they were going to tell granddad and jaz's parents in a different chapter.

the extra wasn't going to be in the chapter, i just wrote that because i felt like it and figured it'd be fun to add since none of this was going in ROF anyway. also, i didn't even plan on all that citrus-y stuff. the extra was just supposed to be a cute, sweet little thing explaining a little about riley and anaya's relationship, but you know, shit happens. plus, i let huey get some in ROF, so i figured i'd be nice and let riley get some too.

anyway, that's it. thanks for reviewing last chapter, RabbitMelody. see y'all when i see y'all