The redhead has to essentially waddle in order to keep up with her father, the man always walks so damn fast, her eyes staring up at the raven helplessly as she follows him throughout the museum corridors, a notepad in hand.

It's just her luck that the day she wishes to tell him about Law is also the day that she'll need to bring a few glaring issues to his attention. 

"You think we need more employees?" The hawk-like male questions, his tone cold and crisp as he finally stops outside his office, unlocking his door before entering, immediately being followed inside by his daughter. "And who will be paying their wages? You?"

She had decided that the first conversation to have with him today should at least be a professional one since he's already unimpressed that she called and asked him to come to the museum in the first place and her gripe is a genuine one, the museum simply can't run in these circumstances; they have one security guard in Zoro, one palaeontologist that might as well be a receptionist at this point, one historian within Kyo and one curator who is rarely ever here within Mihawk.

 It's simply not enough to run the place.

"I'm sure you can afford a receptionist, Pa." She doesn't miss how he shoots her a discreet glare at that, his attention soon redirecting as he settles down at his desk, clicking the power button on his computer as Kyo continues. "Drake can't take care of the front desk all day and give tours, it isn't fair on him, he is qualified to do more." 

"Being sympathetic is never good for business, Kyo. I thought you knew that." 

"Being understaffed isn't good for business either." Her response earning her another fiery stare, the man's lips curved into a frown as he leans back in his chair, his pale fingers entwined and his dark brows furrowed. 

"Has Diez complained about this?"

"No but--"

"Then why are you making a fuss out of it?" That question feeling like quite a slap in the face, the redhead barely suppressing the urge to raise her voice, instead inhaling a deep breath and holding it for a moment before letting it go, hoping that most of her irritation had escaped along with it. 

"Because I'm the one who had to give a bunch of school kids a tour, since Drake was busy on reception."

"So it's not really about Diez? Your problem is that you had to do a bit of work." Well, so much for releasing her anger in the form of a sigh, that remark is enough to drive her insane - if she were speaking to anybody other than her father, it would have certainly warranted a bark from her, she might make mistakes from time-to-time but she's sure as hell not lazy.

"Not at all, I'm just concerned for the museum." Her response earning a scoff in return before she even finishes, her brown eyes instinctively narrowing as she watches her father type away on his computer, seemingly signing into his settings. "Will you at least consider it?"

"I may, don't hold your breath though." His golden eyes locking back on hers once he's signed in, his fingers looming over his keyboard patiently and his face void of emotion as he speaks again. "Is that all?"

And here it is, the hard part.

The redhead unwittingly hugging the notepad closer to her chest as she braces herself, making sure to try and appear confident at least, her back straight and eyes focused as she begins. "No, I wanted to inform you that I'm...seeing somebody."

She thought it would feel like a relief when she finally spat out the words but instead, she just feels sickly, powerlessly watching as her father stares at her in complete silence, his mouth twitches ever so slightly but apart from that, he might as well be a painting with how still he is.

"His name is Trafalgar Law, he's--"

"Donquixote's brat with the tattoos. Yes, I've heard of him." He sound disgusted, the girl trying to ignore the cold shudder traversing up her spine as she takes a subtle breath, nodding her head in confirmation whilst her heart booms inside her chest. "I thought I made myself perfectly clear, I don't want you wasting your time on boys."

"...Law's actually a man..." This does not help her whatsoever, in fact it just makes her father's expression darken, his jaw tensing and his eyes sharpening as she nervously digs herself a deeper grave. "And I am a woman, I'm 22 next month, in case you've forgotten..."

"This isn't up for debate." Mihawk finally mutters with a threatening kick to his voice, his body still paused firmly in place, eyes never leaving hers as he coldly continues. "You'll break up with him. Right now, if you know what's good for you."

The room suddenly feels as cold as the Antarctic as she holds his stare, she isn't sure what would come out if she were to open her mouth - at this point it could be vomit, words or a mere sob. 

But she has made her choice and she plans to stick with it; she wouldn't actively go looking for a relationship, she has never wanted nor needed one but Law is a special case, something about him just hooks her and she doesn't want to throw it all away for no reason.

"No." The word essentially falls from her lips, her fingers subtly clutching onto her notepad as if it was a lifeline whilst Mihawk's brows knit tighter, a few wrinkles creasing his forehead as his glare burns into her small frame. "Trafalgar Law is my boyfriend now and I have no intention of changing that...you'll just have to accept it."

The raven's expression doesn't change at all; it doesn't worsen nor soften, his eyes studying every detail of her face before he finally leans back in his seat, his teeth visibly gritted as he essentially hisses a short reply. "Then get out." She assumes he merely means out of his office, silently grateful that he isn't planning to argue with her further, although she quickly realises just what he means when he continues. "You've been trying my patience recently and I've been far too lenient with you, I believe. Take your things and go home, don't bother coming in tomorrow or the next day, you're no longer needed." 

Her brows raising ever so gently at his harsh words, her mouth slightly ajar as she stands almost paralyzed in her spot, her forlorn eyes staring defencelessly into his as she finally finds her voice. "Y-You're...firing me for getting a boyfriend?"

"Not firing, no. It's called dismissal--"

"Which is otherwise known as firing somebody!" Her heated response naturally doesn't assist her in the slightest, instead just earning her a look of pure apathy.

"Do not raise your voice at me, little girl." His tone far more spiteful than usual, his attention soon returning to his computer screen as he resumes typing, completely ignoring the lingering presence in his office for a few moments before coldly asking; "Are you still here?"

Signalling the end of the conversation and causing the redhead to leave, her heart still thumping inside her chest as she slams the office door behind her, her hands trembling like mad as she fetches her handbag from her own office before storming toward the museum exit, in all her fury she has forgotten how to breathe correctly - her exhales sounding more like heavy huffs as a certain black-bearded man stops her before she reaches the door. 

"Littlen~! Zehahahaha it's good to see you~!" Her eyes likely resembling flames as they make contact with his, not that he really pays attention to her mood at all, instead bringing an old vase into her view with a wide grin. "Would you be willing to tell me how much this is worth?"

"Of course." Her hand instinctively swatting the object out of his hold, letting it crash against the hard floor and smash into several pieces before she sharply answers; "Nothing." Pushing past the man and completely ignoring him as he weeps over how it apparently belonged to Cleopatra herself whilst she leaves the building. 

She can't work it out; why Mihawk cares so much if she's in a relationship. 

He always said they can be distracting - yes - but she's capable of multi-tasking and Law isn't exactly going to get in her way, he's a patient and understanding man, he'll know when she's too busy to see him.

And sure, her father may not like Doflamingo very much but Law was adopted by his brother, to her knowledge he has never had an issue with Rocinante before.

No, Mihawk is just being unreasonable, she's certain of that much.

 It's only when she's in her car does it really sink in; everything she has ever worked for, everything she was moulded into being, all disposed off over something as ridiculous as having a lover. 

Usually Mihawk's harsher punishments are hidden life lessons but this one doesn't feel like such, it just seems flat-out cruel, her mind still in a bit of a daze as she starts the engine but she doesn't yet move.

Finally rationalizing some of her thoughts; first thing she'll have to do is speak to Shanks and let him know that rent might be a little tricky this month, hopefully he'll assist her in some form or another, then she'll...do what, exactly? 

A sigh drifting from her lips as she leans back into the driver's seat, pressing her pale fingers against her eyes before dragging her hands slowly down her face, completely smudging her make-up in the process as she ponders to herself.

Perhaps I should've told him over dinner, he likely wouldn't have thought to fire me if I did that...