Bauble (noun): a showy but useless thing

The new employee was scheduled to arrive today.

Not too long ago, the rising tech company had confirmed the final roster of its team from an enormous pool of talented candidates. Each accepted member had to navigate through an extensive interview, a screening test, as well as several hidden evaluations conducted from watchful eyes in the shadows. The process was difficult, strenuous, and merciless with second chances.

So it dawned as a wonder, that a sudden exception was made to the rules. Speculations ran rampant. The new female employee in this male-dominated field had been apparently handpicked by the CEO himself.

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When she walked in, the room hushed into silence.

A gorgeous woman decked in a sharp blazer and a neat skirt, her spotless hair wound tight into a bun away from the perfect eyeshadow accenting her piercing eyes. Barely glancing around, she strode in a beeline for the center of the room.

And did nothing.

At first, the other employees had been curiously eyeing her from their cubicles, wondering what magic she was about to perform. But seconds passed by the handful, and soon minutes, followed by hours.

Eventually, the CEO emerged from his personal office during lunch time.

And that’s when she finally moved from her pedestal.