1988 (#9) - Donna's modeling ambitions and the breakup with Mark

The already complicated story between Mark and Donna, tested by Mark's childish and selfish attitudes, experiences a period of strong tensions when the girl, due to a delay, feels she might be pregnant. The idea of a pregnancy is certainly not among the most recurrent thoughts of the young woman, but the absolutely furious reaction of the boy, who harshly scolds Donna for forgetting to take her birth control pills, perhaps marks a definitive breaking point between the two. And not even Mark's heartfelt apologies, who vents and opens up to the girl admitting to being too often abrupt and nervous because of his difficult childhood and the difficulties in finding a job, seem to be able to heal a rift that has become irremediable. Tired of a relationship that has been dragging on for too long, Donna tries to distract herself and take control of her life by deciding to devote herself to what makes her feel good, and in particular to her dream of becoming a model. The spark, of course, comes from Rocco, who repeatedly urges her to try out for Forrester, with the prospect of being able to try to put in a good word with Ridge. The girl, however, no longer wanting to interfere with the story between Rocco and his sister Katie, decides to try to take a more independent and autonomous path, responding to an advertisement in a newspaper by an agency run by Tommy Bayland. Donna's decision to throw herself into this adventure in the fashion world does not excite Mark at all, and this only increases the already strong tensions between the two. In the meantime, Donna feels more and more fulfilled by this new job, especially when Tommy, commenting on some of the girl's shots, comes to promise and guarantee her success. Rocco warns Donna to move with caution in this world too often frequented by unscrupulous people who promise easy earnings, but Donna, convinced that Rocco's is only a warning aimed at bringing her closer to him and to Forrester, does not listen to him, minimizing the boy's fears and showing her confidence in Tommy's goodness, who has seen and will take care of her talent. Donna's convictions remain firm even when the man invites the girl to pose for some more intense shots and with more provocative clothes, revealing that only in this way she could earn real money. Donna promises Tommy that she will think about it, and in the meantime she continues to ignore both Rocco's advice and, above all, Mark's outbursts of anger and rage. Eventually, Donna finally becomes aware that Mark is not the guy for her, and decides to end their relationship. Ironically, when she returned home to break up with him, Donna found Mark in bed with another woman. Mark immediately tries to explain what happened and justify himself, but Donna won't hear of it and informs him that their relationship is officially over; after which, finally free from this burden and from a love affair that was weighing her down, she returns home, where she is welcomed back by two happy Beth and Storm, relieved that the girl has put an unreliable man like Mark behind her.