Everyone's complaining about it, but I actually liked the recent development in this chapter. It changed the relationship tension between Noel and Luca from "I like them, but they don't like me" to "I have a complicated past and I don't want to talk about it." I find the latter a lot more interesting than the former, which is just drama based on misunderstandings.
Although honestly, some pretty poor strategy by Noel here. Why would you ask "btw what are you hiding bro" right after asking someone if they like you?? People are acting like Luca is an idiot for not saying he likes her, but Noel sprung the question about his hidden past before even waiting for an answer about his feelings, so of course the whole conversation deteriorated from there.