Perhaps there is a rival character as well. Someone who also has an interest in the person that the main character loves. This rival could add more drama and conflict to the story, as the main character tries to keep their love hidden while competing with this other person in some way.
I'm not sure specifically as I haven't read the novel. But typically, there would be at least two main characters - the one who has the hidden love and the person who is the object of that love. Maybe there's a male lead who is secretly in love with a female lead.