liar

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Cube was leaning back on the studio couch, a blunt half-lit between his fingers, eyes narrowed on Eazy who had a half naked girl straddling his lap,he was laughing it up like everything was fucking sweet.a

"Yo," Ren muttered, nodding toward him, "what's the deal with you and Korina? You act like you into her but then I'm hearing shit."

Eazy tilted his head, chuckling low. "Man, I'm a player. You know this, Cube,Ren . Korina ain't my girl. She just a homegirl, feel me?"

"Just a homegirl?" Cube cut in, standing by the mixing board with a scowl. "So why the fuck was you beggin' for chances just a week ago? Now you got one and you gon' fuck it up on purpose?"

Yella glanced over, laughing under his breath. "Lowkey, Cube, sound like you jealous or somethin'."

Cube rolled his eyes. "Man, shut the fuck up, Yella. It ain't even like that."

But then Eazy dropped the line that made Cube grip his blunt tighter. "Nigga actin' pressed over a chick that ain't even his. Ain't she just your lil 'sis' or whatever? Why you mad?"

Cube didn't say shit at first. He sat back, jaw locked, anger boiling but buried under a forced smirk. "Yeah, aight," he mumbled, keeping it to himself, even if part of him hated how much sense that didn't make.

Meanwhile, in the booth, Navira was finishing her verse with Dre and Yella. She moved like she ran shit-walked like the hallway owed her something and talked like every word was a mic drop.

Dre leaned in, eyes glued to the levels. "Navira, this energy? This that takeover type shit. You got it. I got a vision. You, me, we build somethin'."

"I know I got it, Doc," she said, licking her glossed lips with a smirk. "I been had it. You just finally caught up."

After running two more verses, she stepped out on a break, grabbing a water bottle, and strolled to where Cube was seated. Her eyes lingered on him like he was the next verse she was 'bout to spit.

"You always look this good just standin' around doin' nothin'?" she teased.

Cube chuckled, eyes traveling up and down her curves. "Only when boss bitches walk in talkin' slick."

She smiled, leaning in a bit, just about to keep pushing her luck when Dre burst in laughing way too loud.

"Aye, Cube! You tryna shoot at Navira now? I thought your ass had a crush on Korina?"

Everything stopped.

Navira laughed at the whole situation noticing cube who was smiling sarcastically at her.

Eazy, who was chillin' by the speaker with a girl on his lap, snapped his head toward them.

"Yeah I do and I ain't gon waste my chance Swingin my dick all over like this motherfucker in here"Cube said fearlessly.

"The fuck did you just say?" he said, standing.

Navira looked around suprised at the sudden movement.

Cube exhaled, stepping off the couch. "Yeah, you heard me. And maybe I do got feelings. What's it to you, nigga? You out here creepin' with other bitches anyway. You don't even respect her."

Eazy walked up, eyes sharp, puffed up like a nigga ready to swing. "Who the fuck you talkin' to like that? I'm Eazy-E, bitch. Don't forget who put y'all niggas on."

"And I'm Ice fuckin' Cube, nigga," Cube snapped back, face inches away. "I don't give a fuck who you put on. That girl ain't your property."

They were both chest-to-chest, breathing heavy, throwing glares sharp enough to cut steel. Nobody jumped in-not yet. Ren watched, arms crossed, tight-lipped. Dre just shook his head like, "Here we go again."

Cube finally stepped back, adjusting his chain. "You don't deserve her, bro. That's all I'm sayin'."

"Fuck you mean,you ain't deserve her also,who you think you are the big man?"he said walking back to his seat.

Korina's POV

It was nighttime when the knocking hit her door. Korina was seconds from drifting off, bonnet wrapped, silk pajamas on, with her slippers barely dragging her feet across the floor. A green avocado mask caked her face, and she was not in the mood.

She opened the door and blinked. "Cube?"

He looked mad as hell. Not even in a rage kinda way-just heated, like he was sittin' on somethin' too long and couldn't hold it anymore.

"Can I come in?"

"Uh, yeah... sure," she said, stepping aside.

Ren peeked from down the hall, gave Cube a quick dap, then dipped into his room-but not without crackin' his door just a lil bit to listen.

Cube sat on the edge of her couch, hands clasped together, eyes bouncing around the room like he was searchin' for the right words.

"You okay?" she asked, yawning. "You look stressed."

"I am," he snapped, then softened. "Sorry. I just... fuck, Korina. This shit's been bothering me. You know I care about you, right? Not just as some friend. You more than that."

She blinked, heart skipping a beat, but she kept it cool. "Cube, I love you, man. But you like my brother. I don't see you that way. You're important to me, but... I got feelings for someone else."

He nodded slowly, taking the hit. His pride bruised, but he swallowed that shit.

Then he looked her dead in the eye. "Eazy ain't that someone. He been fuckin' with other girls behind your back. I saw it. I ain't tellin' you this to win you over-I'm tellin' you 'cause I don't want you to look stupid out here. He's a fuckin' player. Always has been."

Korina sat back, quiet for a moment. "I know what kind of man Eazy is. I'm not stupid either. But you actin' like this is news that's gonna break me. It don't. I care about him, yeah... but I'm not gonna cry over a nigga who can't see what's in front of him."

Cube looked at her, half in awe, half in guilt. She was strong-stronger than he gave her credit for.

"Alright then," he muttered. "Just keep your eyes open. That's all."

She nodded, walking him to the door.

And just as he stepped out, she said, "Cube?"

He turned.

"Thank you."

Let me know if you want the next chapter to follow Cube, Eazy's retaliation, or Korina plotting her next move. We could even pull Navira back in if things get messier.

Chapter: Tension & Truths (Multiple POVs)

Studio - Late Afternoon (Cube's POV)

Cube sat on the leather couch, chewing at his toothpick while watching Eazy fiddle with his chains. The studio was alive but not wild yet, just scattered beat loops and the faint smell of weed hangin' in the air. Cube finally spoke up, eyes never leavin' Eazy.

"Yo... what's the deal with you and Korina?"

Eazy looked up, confused but cool. "What you mean?"

Cube raised a brow. "Don't play dumb. You all up in her messages, always around her, flirtin' like she your main chick... and now you poppin' out with another girl?"

Eazy smirked. "Vele, I'm a player. I never said me and Korina were a thing. She cute, I fuck with her vibe, but I ain't cuffed."

Cube shook his head. "That's some weak-ass excuse, dog."

Before Eazy could reply, Ren walked in with a bottle of water and caught the tail end. He stepped in quick, already hot.

"So you beggin' for chances, blowin' up her phone, and now that you got her attention, you gon' play her like that? You wild, E."

Eazy shrugged, eyes sharp. "She grown. I never promised her shit."

Yella, leaned against the console, chimed in. "Lowkey, I think Cube jealous."

Cube snapped his head over. "Nigga, fuck outta here. I ain't jealous."

Eazy laughed. "You sure? 'Cause you actin' like you in love with the girl."

Cube's jaw flexed, but he kept his cool. That comment stung, more than it should've. He looked down, tryin' to play it off, but the truth was ugly and loud inside his chest.

"She just a homegirl," he muttered, convincing no one, especially not himself.

Meanwhile - In the Booth (Dre & Navira)

Dre stood behind the boards while Navira spat her verse, sharp, crisp, confident as hell. She moved like a storm with stilettos, voice smooth as fuck, but her energy? Straight boss bitch. She wasn't tryna be cute; she was cute, dangerous, and untouchable all at once. The room bent when she walked through.

After they recorded two fire verses and a short hook, Navira stepped out the booth, took a sip of water, and leaned on the wall next to Cube. Her eyes dragged over him like she knew somethin'.

"You don't talk much, huh?" she said with a grin.

Cube smirked. "I talk when I need to."

She leaned in, playful. "You need to now?"

Just as Cube raised a brow, maybe thinkin' about risin' to the flirt, Dre cut through the moment with his loud ass.

"Ayo! Don't waste your time, Navira. Cube too busy thinkin' about Korina to even see you."

Eazy, who was sittin' near the couch, heard that shit loud and clear. He stood up, brows low.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

Cube turned to him slow. "He trippin'."

Eazy stepped forward, chin tilted. "Nah, let's talk about it. You got a thing for Korina?"

Cube held his stare. "So what if I do? You out here with a whole girlfriend kissin' up on you in public and still got Korina thinkin' she special. You playin' her."

Eazy's voice dropped to a warning growl. "Watch your fuckin' mouth."

Cube squared up, toe to toe, face to face. "What? You gon' hit me? You the one out here movin' shady. Don't get mad at me for feelin' somethin' you too pussy to respect."

Their chests almost bumped, the room goin' dead silent. Everyone just watchin', feelin' the heat. Eazy's fists were clenched, Cube didn't flinch. Finally, Cube pulled back just an inch, eyes burnin'.

"Say what you want. But she gon' find out. And when she does? Don't come cryin'."

Switch to Korina's POV - Nighttime

Korina was just about to knock out. Her bonnet was on, her skin glowed under the light mask she'd just rubbed in. Face mist? Check. Oversized tee and fuzzy slippers? Check. She was halfway to her bed when someone knocked at the door.

She blinked, confused and tired as hell. "Who the hell..."

Opening the door slow, she was surprised to see Cube standin' there, jaw clenched, eyes stormy.

"Cube? What are you doing here?"

He didn't answer, just stepped inside when she moved back. Ren was on the couch nearby, lookin' up from his phone. They dapped each other up real quick, Ren eyein' him carefully before headin' to his room. Door didn't shut all the way, though. Ren was listenin'.

Cube sat down, hands on his knees. Korina sat across from him, confused.

"What's goin' on?"

Cube exhaled. "Look... I ain't really know how to say this. But I been feelin' some type of way for a while now."

Korina blinked. "About what?"

He gave a short, humorless laugh. "You."

Her eyes widened. "Cube... I-I see you as family. Like... a brother. A really close friend. You're important to me."

Cube nodded slow, clearly hurt but not mad. "Yeah. I figured. I just... I had to shoot my shot once."

She looked away, face soft with guilt. "I got feelings for someone else."

Cube looked down. "I know. And I came here 'cause you need to know... that someone else? He playin' you."

Her head snapped up. "What?"

Cube looked her straight in the eyes. "Eazy got another girl. Been seein' her the whole time he's been around you. Whole studio know. He don't deny it. Says y'all never made it official, so it ain't his problem."

Her breath caught. Silent. Frozen.

"I ain't tellin' you to hurt you. I'm tellin' you 'cause you deserve better," Cube said, voice low.

And outside the door, Ren stood in the hallway, back against the wall, jaw clenched. Shit was about to blow.