1981 (#17) - Jabot's success, Jill's promotion and the kiss with John

If the professional relationship between Julia and Michael has found as seen above an unexpected sentimental outcome, it is also true that John and Jill's hopes of professional success thanks to their collaboration soon found an important confirmation. Julia's photographic advertising campaign, in fact, received great public appreciation. An enthusiastic John decided to give full credit to the young and beautiful Jill's good business sense and promoted her as marketing director. Jill is euphoric about the promotion and, after a cordial toast with the man, she is surprised to be kissed by John himself. Soon, the surprise leaves room for passion and a secret relationship begins between the two of them, which both of them, of course, agree not to talk about with Jack. Jack, meanwhile, feels a certain distance from the woman who, after having finally opened up to the boy, is now increasingly vague and elusive. Jack is disappointed by the change in the girl's attitude but, despite requests for clarification, he is unable to get answers. The truth, of course, is that Jill soon turns out to be in love with John despite the age difference; as happened with Phillip and Stuart, in fact, the girl shows that she prefers a mature man rather than a young one. In this new couple, after all, it is certainly not Jill who is the most insecure, but John, who feels that he has ruined his son's story with Jill, and also feels inadequate to be with a girl much younger than him. John's insecurities are most noticeable when he informs a disappointed Jill that he would not take her on a business trip to New Orleans as planned, as he is not yet ready to go public with her. Jill, feeling rejected, takes refuge at Jack's with whom she spends a passionate night of love. John, repentant for canceling the trip, just in the evening runs in search of the girl to apologize, and when he runs into his son with Jill he decides to leave the room unnoticed. The following day, in a moving letter written by heart, John expresses deep feelings for Jill, informing her that he had decided to leave Genoa City. Jill understands that John saw her and Jack together, and out of grief she decides to leave Jabot Cosmetics; however, soon Jack, who has taken over the company, convinces the woman to return to work since, after all, Jill needs a job.