1988 (#15) - The scandal of the photos of Savannah on Temptation

With the passing of time, the relationship between Donna and Nick changes quickly; and from a simple attraction more or less hinted at in their frequent work sessions and on the various photographic backstages, it becomes a real relationship. In fact, the two, overwhelmed by passion, develop mutual feelings that go beyond simple physical attraction. However, every attempt by Donna to take their story to the next level, that of an official engagement, is stopped by Nick, who with a thousand different excuses always avoids showing himself in an intimate way with her in public, as well as going to introduce himself to the Logan family. The explanation is given by Nick himself: his boss Bill, in fact, has repeatedly warned him not to go out, have adventures or even fall in love with one of their models, since he would not tolerate such situations. Nick, therefore, advises Donna, at least for the moment and until he finds an alternative solution, to keep their relationship a secret and away from prying eyes. But in spite of Donna's best intentions to hide her feelings for the time being, understanding the risk from a professional point of view that Nick runs, everything becomes vain since Bill doesn't take long to discover their story. Useless are Nick's attempts to explain to Bill that this time everything is different, that there is a real feeling with Donna and that the two of them are even ready to split up and separate at work in order to be together; Bill doesn't want to hear any excuses and on the contrary he has already prepared his personal punishment. It's the same smiling and sly Bill, in fact, who proudly shows Nick a preview of the next issue of Temptation in the American version, where his Savannah dominates the cover. Nick, aware of the promise made to Donna that she wouldn't appear in American magazines, is upset by Bill's decision and asks the man in every way to reconsider and stop the publication of the Temptation issue; nothing more useless, unfortunately, since the order has already gone to press throughout the state. Meanwhile, an unaware Donna confides in Brooke about everything that's going on, telling her about her feelings for Nick and confessing that she's ready to quit her job to be with him if it could be a problem. A desperate Nick, meanwhile, does everything he can to block the press and avoid distribution of the new issue of Temptation with Savannah on the cover. Nick even decides to buy a large number of copies of the magazine to prevent Donna or anyone he knows from seeing it, but it's all for naught; Bill, sniffing out the deal, orders a second printing and becomes more and more convinced that he's done the right thing. Not much time passes since Donna, scandalized, recognizes herself in the new cover; and, feeling used and betrayed by Nick, she angrily runs to him to ask for an explanation. In the end, Donna realizes that Bill is the one responsible for all of this, and is moved and touched by Nick's gesture of trying to buy all the copies on sale. And even though Donna is about to experience days of great embarrassment and Nick likely serious repercussions at work for not respecting one of the cardinal principles of Bill's policy, the two find themselves more united and in love than ever.